What to Do If a Car Burns Excessive Engine Oil?
4 Answers
Solving the issue of severe engine oil burning fundamentally requires disassembling and repairing the engine, replacing worn-out components. Below are the reasons for excessive oil burning: 1. Excessive wear of the cylinder liner or piston, or piston ring failure. 2. Poor cylinder sealing, mainly due to excessive clearance between the piston and cylinder wall, improper installation or degraded sealing of piston rings, allowing oil from the cylinder wall to enter the combustion chamber, causing oil burning. Additionally, poor sealing performance of the valve seal ring, damage to the crankcase ventilation valve, or blockage of the crankcase ventilation port leading to excessive pressure inside the crankcase can all cause oil to enter the cylinder along with crankcase gases and participate in combustion. 3. During the break-in period of a new car, exceeding a maximum speed of 90 km/h or engine speed exceeding three-fourths of the maximum rated speed can lead to oil burning.
I've been driving an old car for many years and have encountered oil burning issues quite a few times. Usually, the problem lies in worn piston rings or aged valve stem seals, which allow engine oil to seep into the combustion chamber. You can do a simple self-check: after parking, observe if the exhaust pipe emits blue smoke, or check if the oil dipstick level drops rapidly. If it happens frequently, it's best not to delay to avoid engine failure. My car once had this issue, and later I had to take it to a professional repair shop to replace the parts, costing me a few thousand yuan. During regular maintenance, check the oil quality more often, and using synthetic oil can help alleviate the problem. Severe oil burning can also damage the turbocharger and increase exhaust pollution, so it's wise to address it as soon as possible.
As a young driver with limited car ownership experience, I find it particularly frustrating when my beloved car burns oil. The main cause is often aging seals, such as leaking cylinder gaskets. To save money, I first tried oil additives that claim to seal small gaps, which showed some effect but weren't long-lasting. It's important to regularly monitor oil consumption – if it decreases by more than 0.5 liters per 1,000 kilometers under normal driving conditions, it's time for a check-up. If there's carbon buildup on the spark plugs, it indicates oil is being burned. I recommend avoiding DIY fixes and instead taking the car to a reliable repair shop for inspection to prevent the issue from escalating into major engine repairs or replacement. Driving gently and avoiding sudden acceleration can also help delay the onset of this problem.
From a mechanical perspective, the main causes of oil burning are piston ring, valve guide, or turbocharger seal failure. Under high temperature and pressure during engine operation, component wear allows oil to leak into the combustion chamber. For solutions, first measure compression ratio or diagnose trouble codes. Common fixes involve disassembly and replacement of worn components, especially for older vehicles requiring extra attention. Turbocharged systems are also prone to oil consumption when faulty - clean the piping during maintenance. Have a technician conduct comprehensive testing; avoid random use of temporary remedies as they may cause greater long-term damage. Regular oil and filter changes can prevent minor issues from worsening.
