Does a Car Burning Oil Need an Overhaul?

[DiColton]

An overhaul is necessary if a car is burning oil. Here is an introduction to oil burning: 1. Oil burning refers to engine oil entering the combustion chamber of the engine and burning along with the air-fuel mixture. 2. Oil burning can lead to increased carbon deposits in the car, reduced acceleration, increased oil consumption, and in severe cases, engine failure. Here are some tips to avoid oil burning in cars: 1. Use high-quality engine oil: Premium engine oil provides excellent lubrication, along with superior cleaning performance and stability. 2. Pay attention to fuel system cleanliness: Using high-quality fuel additives can keep the fuel system clean, which is key to preventing oil burning. 3. Perform regular vehicle maintenance: Change the engine oil and oil filter at regular intervals.

[KaydenRose]

My previous car had an oil burning issue, where I had to add one liter of oil every 1,000 kilometers, which was particularly annoying. When I took it to the repair shop, the mechanic said the piston rings were severely worn and the valve stem seals had also deteriorated. In such cases, the only solution was a complete engine overhaul. However, the mechanic also mentioned that if the oil burning was only slight—for example, consuming one liter every 5,000 kilometers—it might be improved by switching to a higher-viscosity full synthetic oil or using some oil additives. Now, during every maintenance check, I keep an eye on the dipstick, and if I notice slightly higher oil consumption, I immediately get a cylinder compression test done. Prevention is much cheaper than repairs. Actually, whether an overhaul is necessary depends largely on the severity of the oil burning, as well as the car’s age and repair costs. My car cost over 8,000 yuan to fix at the time, but it was worth it since it could still run for another five years.

[LaAdaline]

I think this issue needs to be analyzed case by case. My car has been burning oil for almost two years. At first, it wasn't serious, so I just checked the oil level every 5,000 kilometers and topped it up when needed. Later, the oil consumption increased, and the repair shop diagnosed it as a valve stem seal problem. Spending 2,000 yuan to replace the seals fixed it. If it had been caused by piston ring wear, it might have cost over 10,000 yuan for an engine overhaul. Here's some advice: avoid aggressive acceleration in daily driving, and change the air filter and oil on time to slow down oil burning. If the car is old or burns oil severely, like emitting blue smoke or having oily residue at the exhaust pipe, then it's necessary to get it repaired.

[RubyFitz]

Last time my car's exhaust pipe was emitting blue smoke, and upon checking, I found a significant loss of engine oil. The mechanic explained in detail: damaged turbocharger seals or worn piston rings can cause oil to leak into the combustion chamber. For minor issues, replacing the seals might suffice, but severe wear would require an engine overhaul. Later, I looked up some data and found that if oil consumption exceeds half a liter per thousand kilometers, it's highly likely that the engine needs to be opened up. It's recommended to start with an engine internal cleaning and try professional additives when noticing oil consumption issues. Only consider major repairs if these measures fail, as an engine overhaul involves complete disassembly, costs tens of thousands, and significantly impacts the residual value of a used car.