2001 Toyota MR2 oil in exhaust pipe

Tiny
BECKYWEST
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 TOYOTA MR2
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 135,000 MILES
We just bought a 01 Toyota MR2 Sept 14. We thought we did everything right. Took it to our mechanic, body shop and our inspection site to make sure it'd inspect. Everything checked out ok so we allowed car lot to cash check. We had the oil changed after we bought it, and within a few days, the oil light started coming on quickly and turning off. We checked the oil, and there was no oil on the stick. We put in 3.5 quarts and the next day took it back to the oil change place, thinking they forgot to put the oil in, and they discovered oil in the exhaust pipe. There was also only 2.5 quarts at this point. There is no smoke or burnt oil smell at all, and it is running perfectly. Even our mechanic is perplexed as there is no smoke or burnt oil smell. No oil leaks under carriage of car. Help!
Monday, September 28th, 2009 AT 8:16 PM

13 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
THis is a good one. For oil to get into the exhaust, it must go through the combustion chamber. Are the spark plugs getting oil filed? Also, does it have a turbo?
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Monday, September 28th, 2009 AT 8:37 PM
Tiny
BECKYWEST
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Pertaining to the spark plugs, not sure? Would that be something that would be visible to the eye? And no, it is not a turbo.
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Monday, September 28th, 2009 AT 8:59 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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I was hoping it was turbo. The oil could have gotten into the exhaust through there. The only other thing is through the combustion chamber. And if you are losing that much, it must be pouring out. Has any of the oil made its way to the coolant? Also, yes you can tell if a plug is oil fouled. It will be black.
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Monday, September 28th, 2009 AT 9:14 PM
Tiny
BECKYWEST
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No, it has not made its way to the coolant. First thing we checked. Anything else? This is my 17 year old son's first car. Hes saved since he was 8 to buy a car. Poor kid. Not only that, but an air conditioning truck ran into the back bumper Sunday night as it was parked, only after having the car 5 days!They're going to take care of repairs, but what more bad luck can we have with this car? We feel like we've been screwed royally. Does this seem like it'll be an expensive fix?
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Tuesday, September 29th, 2009 AT 7:02 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Have you seen the oil coming from the exhaust? Was the car purchased "As Is?" Honestly, other than a cracked head allowing oil getting into the exhaust, nothing makes sense. I can't believe the vehicle isn't burning oil.
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Tuesday, September 29th, 2009 AT 7:30 AM
Tiny
BECKYWEST
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  • 12 POSTS
No, have not actually seen the oil coming from the exhaust. But when the oil change guy put his rag there, it came out totally black with oil. Also odd to everyone that we can not smell the oil burning! Yes, we bought the car "as is" which is why we always have mechanics check out before we finalize purchase. I feel they are partially responsible, as they said the car was ok to buy. I'm car ignorant, but I'm presuming a cracked head is very, very expensive to repair?
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Tuesday, September 29th, 2009 AT 8:50 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Yes it would be expensive.

Listen, I'm 45 years old and have been working on cars since I was 15. I can not figure how oil is getting into the exhaust without some of it burning in the combustion chamber. Now I realize they showed you oil in the exhaust, but could it have been damp carbon? For it to get into the exhaust, it has to go through the exhaust valve into the combustion chamber. If that happens, then it has to burn it, so I really question if there is oil in the exhaust and not something other.

I'm going to ask the site owner for his opinion. Maybe he will think of something other.

I will be in touch.
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Tuesday, September 29th, 2009 AT 9:05 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,144 POSTS
Hello, when the engine is running, rapidly hit the throttle and release. Does blue smoke come from the exhaust along with the oil? If so the oil is passing through the piston rings which means the engine is worn out or damaged internally, (very expensive to fix) If not the cylinder head oil drain back holes could be clogged causing engine oil to be drawn in through the exhaust valve stem seals. If this is the case the valve cover must be removed and the oil drain back holes cleaned (not very expensive) please let us know how it goes, we want to help. Also, it would really help the diagnosis if the spark plugs are removed and inspected, look for oil on one or more of the plugs. This will tell you the engine is worn out or hurt internally. If all plugs are clean, suspect the plugged oil drain back holes being plugged. Is that engine super charged? Some mr2's are.
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Tuesday, September 29th, 2009 AT 11:05 AM
Tiny
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Took MR2 to mechanic this morning, and they said they thought at this point, O rings needed to be replaced. They also said MR2s are very difficult to work on. They commented car probally got too hot by previous owner (one owner before us according to carfax). They are going into it now, to see the extent of damage. Any ideas on expenses I should expect? This year model is going for around 10k in our area, and we paid 6k (yep, should've known), so worst case scenario, we can turn around and sell. And no, its not super charged. Either way, my $10 was well spent. We have six cars that we are always taking to mechanics, and its nice to know that there is a very helpful website out there to answer our questions, and hopefully solve problems we can do ourselves :) !
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Tuesday, September 29th, 2009 AT 5:21 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Thank you. We are here to help good people like yourself and we do try our best. I am curious. What O-rings are they are refering to? I can't think of any that would cause this problem. There are O-rings on the valve guides called valve seals, but if they were leaking that bad, you would see it. Let me know exactly what he is refering to so I can give you the cost of parts and how many hours are given to complete the repair. That way if you know their labor rate, you can determine the cost.

I really wish I was there to see what is going on. It would make it easier, but we are most likely around a thousand miles apart. Regardless, please let me know if you have other questions or concerns. And thanks for using 2carpros. Com

By the way, the other person that I spoke to about this is the owner of the site and one heck of a mechanic. He sent the other email to you. I'm sure between the two of us, we can direct you.

Thanks again,
Joe
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Tuesday, September 29th, 2009 AT 9:07 PM
Tiny
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Sorry-they were piston rings. We'll know more this morning.
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2009 AT 8:59 AM
Tiny
BECKYWEST
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Joe,
our mechanic just called and is totally perplexed. He's waiting on a call back from a Toyota mechanic. He's driven the car around, and can not believe that it is driving so well, along with no smoke or smell. We've asked him to check spark plugs, which he hasn't yet. We just changed to this mechanic last month, as our mechanic of 8 years kept ripping us off. We have three Fords and 3 Toyotas in our household, all used. We're also not happy as he ok'd the car for purchase. Any other ideas? We may just go pick up car and take to a Toyota dealership.
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2009 AT 1:23 PM
Tiny
BECKYWEST
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OK, picked up car this afternoon with no concrete answer. All spark plugs were dry, but were replaced. Compression test was fine according to Toyota standards. Still no burning oil smell, no leaks, no smoking. Exhaust pipe is black, but not abnormal. Some concern-After second oil change in 1 1/2 weeks, oil stick came out black-possibly original owner never had changed (one owner car). Cars running like a gem, so very, very perplexing!
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Thursday, October 1st, 2009 AT 5:53 PM

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