Honda Civic Sport oil usage

My son has a UK Honda Civic SE sport 1.6 2002. It's now done 108,000
miles and started using oil in the engine, roughly about a litre every
1000 mile. It starts, runs well with no obvious leaks and doesn't
throw a lot of black smoke out the exaust. Also well serviced and the
emmissions were not a concern at the last MOT. Is this normal for a
Civic starting to show its age or do we need to be looking at
anything.

Thanks

Bob

 

You've got a problem. A vehicle that young should be getting at least 8,000
miles per quart/liter.

Check VERY carefully for leaks. Not all leaks are obvious, and some don't
even leave much mess on the engine.

Check the PCV system.

Have a compression test done.

Has the car ever been run with a very low oil level?

 

Right, besides the PCV system, check also valve stem seals and piston
rings. The rings can be checked with a compression test.

If you have valve stem seal leaks usually the first start after a long
park is bluish tinted smoke from the exhaust.

do your spark plugs look oily?

 

Thanks for the tips.
The plugs were clean at the last service in May, probably would have
gone a lot longer but were changed anyway. Engine compartment is clean
and dry so nothing out of the top but I'll check underneath and the
compression when I get home. It doesn't get to stand for long as he
has a girlfriend living about a 100 miles away and that's where most
of the miles went.

Regards

Bob