Fulvia 1600 oil consumption

[ColinMarr]

When I put my early Fulvia Sport with a 1600 engine back on the road in 1995 I knew it had a tired engine. The timing chain noise was worrying and the piston-slap when cold was dire, but it had plenty of oil pressure. I renewed the timing chain, which helped and decided to carry on using it. My preferred oil was then 20/50, Duckhams or whatever. The engine was prone to oiling up plugs, running rough and used oil at about 0.5 litre in 400 miles.

I changed to Fiat/ Selenia semi-synthetic HPX oil (supposedly 20/60) and just like it says in the advert, it worked! No more oiling up and consumption reduced to 0.5 litres in about 1000 miles. After 20,000 miles and several oil changes it’s still using about the same.

I have looked back at contemporary road tests for the 1.6HF and 1600 Fulvias and they show oil consumptions of the same, if not worse.

I guess I have got used to my modern Punto which uses no oil in 9000 mile intervals. But I am prompted to ask other Fulvia 1600 drivers, what sort of oil consumption do you experience?

Colin

[peterbaker]

After 2,500 of competitive driving I used a litre of Castrol RS 10/60, so sounds about the same. I like the way the oil pressure remains steady and there is always a film of oil when the car is left standing and prior to starting from cold.

[Peter W]

Have owned my 1600HF for 9 years and have always use HPX.  Have never bothered to note the oil consumption which is pretty minimal.  Later cans of HPX are now marked 20W/50.

Peter