Repair Topics / Engine Oil Burning

• Why does my engine leak oil?
• Engine has high or low oil pressure
• Why is there oil in the coolant?
• Why is there coolant in the engine oil?
• Why is my engine leaking coolant?
• How to change motor oil and filter
• How to perform a car safety inspection
• How to change automatic transmission fluid and filter
• How an engine works
• How to test a thermostat

MORE: Engine oil burning questions

Question: 2004 Saturn SL1 mileage: 73,000. Car smokes and uses oil. Blow-by on upper portion, no pressure on lower portion through dip stick. #1 and #3 cyl have 80 lbs, #2 and #4 have 150 lbs. Added oil to #1 and # 3 cyl and pressure on both went to 118 lbs, spark plugs are in very good condition with no trace of oil, 20,000 miles since plugs were changed, no oil comes out of exhaust pipe.

Answer: With a compression of 80 pounds in cylinders 1 and 3 and 123,000, it appears you have a tired engine that probably needs to be rebuilt.

Question: 1999 Chevy Astro Van mileage: 90,000. My van is equipped with a trailer towing package, 410 rear end etc. When towing I burn a quart of oil every 100 miles or so. It was much worse, but I switched to a synthetic 20-50 wt oil for the summer. When not towing it does not use any oil? It is not leaking and there is no sign that it is burning the oil. (The trailer does not get a coat of oily film like a previous vehicle). I do not do a lot of traveling, maybe 600 miles per year towing. Any suggestions?

Answer: What may be occurring is that in normal driving, without a trailer; the engine breather system can handle the "blow by" that is generated by the piston rings (90,000 miles on them). When you tow a trailer, you are working the engine harder, which causes more blow by. This may be overpowering the engine breathers forcing oil into the engine intake system. This is what burns the oil. Check your breathers and the PCV valve to make they are functioning properly.

Question: 1999 Dodge Neon mileage: 187,000.  I bought a used from a car lot - a year ago. The car was running fine but when I took a look at the radiator about 2 weeks later, I found oil in the coolant.   I took it back and they said someone put quarts of oil in the radiator and drained it and cleaned it out.  It seemed to run fine, but after a few days, it started dying out on me.   I took it back in and they said it was an o2 sensor, they said they replaced it.  Then I drove the car for a while and within a few weeks (after the warranty expired) it started surging/holding back when I accelerated and burning a good amount of oil along with lots of gas.  I changed the fuel filter, and PVC valve, and spark plugs.  My only other thought was there is something wrong with fuel injector (S).  What is your thought?  Yes, the check engine light is on.  It will cost me more to see what is wrong than it will to fix it!  Help

Answer: You have the head gasket leaking.  Neon's had problems with head gaskets.

Question: 1989 Subaru Outback mileage: 96,000.  Should a car "consume" oil?  Where does it go?  I have checked my oil level 3,500 miles after my last oil change and found the dipstick reading dry or just a bit of oil on the tip.  The dealer says my oil consumption is normal (~1 qt per 1500 miles).  I asked if the oil burns off, and got the answer that it consumes oil.   Does this sound accurate?  Is it related to the type of engine?

Answer: A slight amount of oil is used to  lubricate the piston rings and is then burned in the combustion chamber. This is normal.

Question: 2003 Mazda B3000 mileage: 82,000.  I recently bought this truck and the guy said it smokes in the morning when you first fire it up and then it goes away.  I bought it for $9500.  He was not kidding the next morning you would not believe how bad it smokes when cold.  There is no oil in the coolant and no coolant in the oil.  I put new valve oil seals in it and it made no difference whatsoever.  The engine is clean on the inside so it looks to me to be original miles.  The front main seal was also leaking badly.  Could the head gasket be blown in an oil galley between the block and head seeping into a cylinder?  Please help.

Answer:  From what you describe, you may have a broken piston and or broken rings. And possibly a head gasket problem.

Question: 1999 Honda Accord mileage: 150,000.   I just replaced the cam, because the gear that drives the oil pump was worn out.  It ran fine started well but I noticed every once in a while it would idle bad, and misfire especially at high speed.  One day just as I pull into the driveway I noticed, smoke like oil burning from under the hood.   At first, it looked like an oil leak but I remembered it ran very rough just before I pulled into the driveway.  Now it starts very hard and when it does it smokes like burning oil from somewhere underneath the intake, almost as the emission system was plugged up and the fumes are not being cycled in the right direction.  Is it the e.g.r. valve?    Or some other emission component                                                        

Answer:   Check for oil leaks. The valve cover casket may have failed allowing oil to get on the plug wires.

Question: 2004 Mercedes Benz C230 mileage: 30,000.  This car started smoking and using LOTS of oil within a short time--still runs good, no knocks, etc., but will burn almost 4 quarts of oil in 4500 miles.  Is a different/new engine the only option; could it be the super charger and replacing that would solve the problem?   Local mechanic says, "find it a new home".

Answer:  From what you describe, the seal in the turbo has failed or the oil return line is plugged.  Check the return line first.

Question: 2001 Honda Civic mileage: 49,000.  The car is burning oil.  Visual inspection of the valve seals showed no damage (they looked new).  I get good vacuum readings. I am confused with the results of my compression test.  Seven cylinders were 135-140 lbs, while #2 cylinder was 180.  What else besides carbon deposits could give such a high reading?  Or is 180 a normal reading, telling me the other seven pistons need rings. Please help.

Answer: It sounds like you may have a broken piston ring. Disassemble to inspect, replace as needed.

MORE: Engine oil burning questions

Repair Topics / Engine Oil Burning

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