2001 Toyota MR2 oil comsumption

BECKYWEST

MEMBER
2001 TOYOTA MR2
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
135,000 MILES

After finding out a used car that we just purchased just had a new engine put in at 127K miles, with only 7K on engine, it is consuming oil. The dealership first said was out of warranty, which it wasn't, then said Toyota engine warranty was non-transferable, which it was, then said original owner didn't get oil changed within first 7k of new engine, which she did. Now they're just stonewalling-BUT, as I'm going through litigation with them, what could be causing this oil comsumption problem now that we know its a new short block? After getting back from dealership, white smoke does come out after sitting a while (they said it was condensation), but still running like a gem. No leaks, all 3 compression tests were fine, no burning oil smell. Could they have done something wrong when replacing other engine? This engine supposedly came directly from Toyota. HELP?

1 Reply

MHPAUTOS

MECHANIC
31,938 POSTS

Hi there,

thank you for the donation.

What the dealer should do first is conduct an oil consumption test, this is important to know before any remedial action is taken, with that in mind, there is only two ways the engine will use oil, external leaks and burning through the combustion process, external leaks are self evident so I presume this is not an issue, burning oil can be caused by a number of causes, oil must enter the combustion chamber to ignite, this can be done via faulty valve stem seals in the head, this is usually seen as a puff of blue smoke on cold start up then it clears, after that smoking is not visible due the very small quantity's entering the engine while running, the initial puff is oil collecting on the valves after sitting for some time. The hot thin oil can bypass the faulty seal and collect, not enough oil can flow this way during running (normally) to be seen. The Cylinder bores are lubricated with oil, the piston has a set of rings, the lower ring is usually an oil control ring, this limits the amount of oil on the bore for lubrication purposes, the bore s are honed with a cross hatch patten (not visible with the naked eye, this traps oil for lubrication, it is possible, and I have seen it in Toyota's, that the oil control ring was faulty from installation, oil may also enter the engine via a leak at the head gasket, but other problems will be evident, normally coolant usage as well, The White smoke, is normally coolant, but this may also be condensation as they say, but this would have to be investigated as well, I would discuss thees concerns with the dealer, or go directly to customer relations at head office, with out viewing the problem first hand, I can only out line probable causes, I hope this is a help to you.

Mark (mhpautos)