How Long Will a Car Be Scrapped Due to Burning Engine Oil?

[JaceAnn]

It depends on the severity of the engine oil burning and the engine's working condition, but it will not directly lead to the car being scrapped. Below is extended information about when a car might be scrapped: 1. The car's oxygen sensor is damaged too quickly, which can also lead to a sharp increase in carbon deposits and engine idling issues. 2. Burning engine oil in a car refers to the engine oil entering the combustion chamber and burning along with the fuel mixture. In severe cases, it can cause engine damage. Burning engine oil is an inevitable phenomenon in cars. After prolonged driving, engine aging will often be accompanied by oil burning. If the issue is not severe, car owners do not need to repair it immediately. However, if it is severe, they should promptly visit a 4S shop for repairs to prevent the engine from being scrapped.

[SanAdriana]

The car I previously drove was scrapped due to oil burning. It had been in use for nearly 15 years. Initially, it just consumed a bit more oil—I had to add some every 1,000 kilometers—and I thought it was fine. But half a year later, the situation worsened: blue smoke came out of the exhaust pipe. The mechanic checked it and said the piston rings were severely worn. I delayed repairs for several months, and as a result, carbon buildup in the engine worsened. In less than a year, the engine seized and completely failed. The repair cost was higher than the car's value, so I had no choice but to scrap it. In reality, how long it takes for an oil-burning car to be scrapped depends entirely on the severity: mild cases might last two or three years by topping up the oil, while severe cases can fail in just a few weeks or months due to overheating and cylinder damage caused by oil loss. My advice is to seek a professional evaluation as soon as you notice rapid oil consumption or abnormal emissions. Don’t delay like I did until it’s beyond repair, wasting a perfectly good car.

[LaRichard]

From a mechanical perspective, there's no fixed timeline for engine failure due to oil burning. Having repaired numerous vehicles, I've found the primary causes are aging valve stem seals or piston rings leaking oil into the combustion chamber, leading to rapid consumption. When severe—say, losing 0.5 liters every 500 km—engine wear accelerates dramatically. Neglecting maintenance can result in cylinder wall damage and failure within months. Conversely, frequent oil top-ups or gentle driving might extend engine life by 1-2 years. Driving habits are crucial: frequent high-speed runs or heavy-load acceleration hastens failure. I advise owners to regularly check dipsticks and address oil warning lights immediately. Ignoring minor issues leads to costly overhauls or premature scrapping.

[IvanMarie]

I encountered oil burning issues shortly after buying the car, and learned some things after consulting a mechanic. If the oil burns too quickly, the engine can fail extremely fast if left unrepaired. My friend's car was scrapped in six months due to oil burning, as oil starvation caused overheating and cylinder scoring. Normally, minor oil burning might allow driving for another year or two, but severe cases with monthly warning lights could lead to total failure. I need to check the oil level frequently and not delay repairs too long—the risks of procrastination are too high.