Does a 10-year-old car burning oil need an overhaul?
2 Answers
Yes. Symptoms of oil burning: Oil burning refers to the engine oil entering the combustion chamber of the engine and participating in combustion along with the air-fuel mixture. If the engine shakes at idle, or the engine oil is severely depleted during a routine maintenance (oil change) cycle (without any leakage), then the vehicle is experiencing oil burning. Oil burning in a vehicle can lead to rapid damage of the oxygen sensor, increased carbon deposits in the combustion chamber, unstable idle, lack of acceleration power, increased fuel consumption, excessive exhaust emissions, and other adverse effects. In severe cases, insufficient engine lubrication can cause irreparable damage or even total engine failure, significantly increasing repair costs and posing potential safety hazards. Causes of oil burning: Incorrect installation or misalignment of piston rings, though this is rare and has a low probability of occurrence; overfilling of engine oil, exceeding the upper limit of the scale; dirty throttle body.
I've driven several older cars that all had oil burning issues, especially those around 10 years old. I don't think immediate major repairs are necessary—it depends on how severe the oil consumption is. For example, with one of my cars, it started with just minor oil consumption, and I managed by topping it up regularly. But if there's heavy blue smoke from the exhaust or the oil consumption is excessive, it might indicate internal engine wear, like worn piston rings or valve stem seals. That's when repairs are needed. However, spending thousands on a major repair for a 10-year-old car might not be worth it—trying a different oil brand or additives first could save money. The key is to assess the car's condition: if it's been well-maintained with low mileage, minor fixes might suffice. But if neglected for too long, engine overheating could cause bigger issues. So, early diagnosis is always better—don't wait until the car breaks down and safety is compromised.
