156 JTS Motor - oil consumption.

[John Hanslow]

There a brief but well informed chat by a few enthusiasts at the last EMR. 

It was agreed that good synthetic oil does not get burnt up as much in the JTS motors and thus long term saving from possible engine failure.

In the recent Auto Italia Issue 153, U.K. Alfa specialist Les Duffy states that with the JTS ".... I've found them no problem , providing that you use a good oil and I always use Agip 10/60 fully-synthetic race oil.  Not only does it quiten it down considerably, but it stops the usage."

I suppose its more expensive than regular oils and the Alfa dealers use Selenia oil  which should be suitable - but that's the advice of a UK expert.

Cheers.

[desman]

Thanks for the information John. I used Castrol 10/60 oil for the last service. Don't know what to choose this time.

[John Hanslow]

A good rule is get the best you can afford, but consideration must for the quality of camparable products so if it works, it's ok.

If the JTS engine has a some what bad reputation due to excessive oil usage requiring frequent top ups, it would be good to confirm if there is a difference in these higher spec oils i.e. Selenia, Martini, Agip & Castrol.  Could the key words here 'race oil' ?

[Craig C]

A very interesting discussion, but I am having trouble understanding the mechanics behind the high oil use.  It is obviously not leaking out, it occurs from new so is not due to wear, it is not due to evaporation of dilutants because it applies to all sorts of use, city running, country driving and racing.

And am I correct in assuming it is specifc to JTS and not the predessor Twin Spark?

[pep105]

Unfortunately it affects the Twinspark engines as well. More so the 147, Im led to believe.
My experience was between 800-900 mls used or topped up every 3000 km.
At the time Lance Dixon was using Castrol 10W/60 as were some other dealerships.

However in the owners manual (147) it states 10W/40 Selenia or 10W/60 Selenia racing for spirited or hard driving.

I experimented with different oils and assesed across a range of driving conditions and found little impact. I did know of one 156 Twin Spark that had lower oil consumption, Damon at Lance Dixon put it down to diffrent piston rings on the 147 - low friction type. I was advised that if the consumption exceeded 1 litre per 3000 kms then there was a problem, otherwise this was considered normal.

Dont know others experience, anyone else with a 147 or 156 Twinspark that could verify this ? 

[pep105]

Ohh and by the way can anyone give any details on the typical oil usage of the JTS engine, how does it compare to the twinspark? 

[John Hanslow]

I was advised that the Twin Spark is a better engine as it does not have this issue with oil consumption, which,  as we have seen recently can be a bit of a shock to a few people. 

Yep, like to know the consumption figures that are being encountered.

Probably best bet that when you fill up with petrol, you lift the hood and check the oil level too.

[Steve S]

Twin sparks have a reputation for high oil consumption too. Come to think of it most Italian cars do.

[Jekyll and Hyde]

Ohh and by the way can anyone give any details on the typical oil usage of the JTS engine, how does it compare to the twinspark?

Very generally speaking, JTS motors use more oil than twinsparks, and more of them seem to do it.  However some twinsparks can use a LOT of oil, and some JTS motors don't use any oil (and vice versa).  Depends on whether the engine went through the assembly line during the afternoon siesta or not!

[pep105]

well I guess I now know when my Twinspark engine was built...............