Daihatsu Hijet: KF-VE Piston Ring Oil Consumption

The KF-VE 660cc three-cylinder engine introduced in the S500P Hijet (2014–present) has documented piston ring wear leading to above-normal oil consumption. The narrow-profile rings used for low friction can lose sealing ability early, particularly in vehicles used for short stop-start commercial runs where the engine rarely reaches full operating temperature. Oil consumption of 1 litre per 1,000–2,000 km has been widely reported, and running low on oil accelerates cam and bearing wear.

• Needing to top up engine oil by 1 litre or more between standard service intervals
• Blue-tinged smoke from the exhaust on acceleration after coasting or on cold start
• Oily residue around the PCV hose and in the intake manifold

1. 1

   Check the oil level and condition at purchase; ask for service records showing oil top-up frequency.

2. 2

   Inspect the air filter housing and intake for oily residue indicating blowby.

3. 3

   Look for blue smoke from the exhaust on acceleration after a period of trailing throttle.

4. 4

   If a workshop inspection is possible: Perform a cylinder compression test (spec ~1,200 kPa) and a leak-down test to quantify ring seal.

$2,500 to $5,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

• “How often do you need to top up the engine oil between services?”
• “Has a compression or leak-down test been carried out on the engine?”

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.