Does Engine Oil Burning Require a Major Overhaul?
2 Answers
Whether engine oil burning requires a major overhaul depends on the severity of the situation: If it's due to excessive cylinder wall clearance or extreme piston ring wear, then a major overhaul is necessary, as some vehicles nowadays may experience oil burning right from the factory. Engine oil burning is caused by wear and aging of piston rings and valve stem seals. Valve stem seals can be replaced without disassembling the engine, but piston rings require engine disassembly for replacement. Therefore, if the oil burning issue is severe, a major overhaul is needed to completely resolve it. Meaning of oil burning: It refers to engine oil accidentally entering the combustion chamber and burning along with the air-fuel mixture. Oil burning can lead to increased carbon deposits in the engine, reduced acceleration power, increased oil consumption, and in severe cases, engine failure.
I've driven quite a few cars and encountered oil burning issues several times. It doesn't necessarily require a full engine overhaul. Oil burning can be caused by engine wear and aging, such as damaged piston rings or valve seals, but in many cases, replacing these components can solve the problem without the need to disassemble the entire engine. Once, my car was burning oil severely, and after inspection at the repair shop, it turned out to be a valve guide issue. Replacing it fixed the problem without costing much. The key is early detection: regularly check the oil level. If it's depleting too quickly, the exhaust emits blue smoke, or fuel consumption increases, it's time to address it. Using full synthetic oil in daily driving can reduce wear and prevent such issues. Delaying repairs might lead to more severe problems, but don't panic initially. Most situations can be resolved by fixing minor components. Only consider a major overhaul if the wear is extremely severe, as it involves higher costs and more downtime.
