Nothing can ruin your day quite like glancing at your oil gauge and seeing the level rapidly dropping. Excessive oil consumption in your engine can leave you scrambling to top up the oil while also raising concerns about potential damage or breakdowns.
Finding the root cause of high oil usage should be a top priority. In this article, we’ll examine the common reasons behind oil burning in engines. We’ll also provide tips to diagnose and prevent further issues. With some understanding of what makes oil disappear, you can take action early and avoid pricey repairs.
What Causes Oil to Be Consumed?
There are a few key culprits when it comes to oil burning in car engines:
- Worn piston rings – The pistons rings form a tight seal against cylinder walls to contain combustion and oil. When the rings wear, compression drops and oil can slip past into the combustion chambers.
- Damaged valve seals – Like piston rings, the valves seals keep oil from seeping past into areas where it can burn up. Hardened, cracked, or ill-fitting valve seals allow oil to be pulled into the cylinders.
- Excessive blow-by – Blow-by occurs when gases and pressure “blow by” the pistons and mix with engine oil.
- Too much blow-by pressurizes the crankcase and pushes oil past seals.
- Clogged PCV system – The Positive Crankcase Ventilation system recirculates blow-by gases. If the PCV valve clogs, it can force oil past seals and rings.
- Incorrect oil weight – Using oil that is too thin can result in premature burning. Always use the manufacturer’s recommended viscosity.
- Overfilling oil – Oddly enough, putting in too much oil can lead to consumption as the crankshaft froths and aerates the oil. Stick to the proper level.
Signs of Excessive Oil Consumption
Watch for these warning signs that your engine may be using too much oil:
- Frequently low oil level
- Needing top ups between oil changes
- No visible leaks but level is down
- Excessive exhaust smoke
- Rough idle, loss of power
- Oil residue under car
If any of the above symptoms are occurring, have your oil usage investigated immediately to identify the cause and prevent accelerated wear.
Preventing Further Engine Damage
Once you confirm the engine is burning too much oil, addressing the problem promptly is critical to avoid compounding the issues. Here are some tips:
- Stop driving if the oil warning light activates or gauge drops to zero. Lack of lubrication can wipe out an engine in minutes.
- Regularly check oil at each fill up to catch consumption early. Top up if needed.
- Use manufacturer spec oil to avoid leaks from incorrect viscosity.
- Do not overfill to reduce oil aeration and loss.
- Fix identified leaks like seals and gaskets. They exacerbate burning.
- Perform engine tests to pinpoint root causes like bad rings or seals.
- Complete recommended repairs to stop oil loss and resolve mechanical issues.
Catching excessive oil usage early and correcting underlying issues promptly can help prevent extensive engine wear and damage down the road.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still puzzled about what’s causing your oil to disappear? Here are answers to some common queries:
Q: Does the type of oil impact burning?
A: Yes. Always use the manufacturer’s recommended oil weight and quality. Thinner oils may increase consumption.
Q: Will switching to synthetic oil help?
A: It can help marginally but does not address root causes. The priority is fixing worn parts allowing oil to burn.
Q: Is it safe to just keep adding oil as needed?
A: No. Topping up oil does not fix leaks and worn components. Continued operation without repairs will lead to eventual failure.
Q: If the car runs fine, do I need repairs for oil burning?
A: Yes, even if it’s running smoothly, burning oil indicates developing problems. Timely repairs can avoid breakdowns and costly engine work.
The Bottom Line
Excessive oil consumption is never normal regardless of mileage and age. The most common causes stem from worn internal seals, rings, and gaskets. Based on our experience, visible smoke from oil burning leads to harmful emissions along with reduced performance and lubrication.
Catching and correcting high oil usage early is crucial to avoid progressively worsening engine wear and tear. Look out for the signs of burning oil, track consumption, and stick to service schedules. If you notice your engine gulping oil, bring your vehicle in – our technicians have over 25 years of expertise finding the root causes and providing reliable repairs to resolve oil burning problems.
Contact Moreleta Service Centre today to schedule an inspection. We’ll get your oil consumption under control and engine running smoothly.
