What are the symptoms of engine oil burning?
2 Answers
Engine oil burning can manifest in the following symptoms: 1. Blue smoke from the exhaust pipe upon startup, which normalizes after the engine runs for a while; 2. Blue smoke from the exhaust pipe accompanied by pulsating blue smoke from the oil filler port; 3. Engine vibration during vehicle idle; 4. Severe oil loss within a routine maintenance cycle. Causes of engine oil burning include: 1. Dirty oil, where impurities accelerate cylinder wear; 2. Excessive oil level; 3. Improper selection of air filters, oil filters, or oil; 4. Incorrect ignition timing, either too early or too late; 5. Excessive dirt in the radiator of the cooling system; 6. Dirty radiator and condenser, reducing ventilation and cooling efficiency, thereby raising the engine's operating temperature.
A few days ago, while driving, I noticed the most glaring sign of engine oil burning was blue smoke coming from the exhaust pipe, especially noticeable during acceleration or uphill driving. This made me quite uneasy, as excessive smoke can obstruct visibility and pollute the environment. Another issue was the rapid oil consumption—I had to top it up frequently; otherwise, the oil light would come on, affecting driving performance. The power noticeably dropped, the car shook violently, and acceleration felt sluggish like a snail. Excessive carbon buildup on the spark plugs caused ignition issues, and fuel consumption also increased. Over time, this could wear out piston rings and other components, leading to engine overheating and failure. Now, every time I start the car cold, I pay extra attention to the exhaust smoke to avoid delaying repairs until major overhauls are needed. It's best to promptly visit a professional shop to check for valve seal or oil seal issues.
