Why does a damaged car PCV valve cause oil burning?
2 Answers
Engine oil naturally has a certain consumption rate, but excessive consumption leads to oil burning issues. Below are specific explanations regarding car oil burning: 1. Carbon deposits form in the combustion chamber, causing the piston ring's compression ring to stick and resulting in poor sealing. 2. Sludge forms in the lubrication system, clogging the oil ring's return holes and weakening its oil-scraping performance. 3. Wear occurs between the piston and cylinder wall. 4. The valve seals corrode and age, causing sealing performance to fail. Additionally, modern vehicles are equipped with a crankcase ventilation system (PCV valve), and if this malfunctions, it can also accelerate oil consumption.
I've been driving for almost thirty years, and it's all too common to see oil burning due to a faulty PCV valve. The PCV valve is essentially the valve that controls crankcase emissions in the engine. If it gets stuck or leaks, the engine's vacuum increases, sucking oil from the oil pan into the intake manifold and then directly into the combustion chamber to be burned—that's what we call oil burning. Fast oil consumption, blue smoke from the exhaust, and even spark plug fouling or reduced engine power can result. I recommend getting it checked regularly at a repair shop. A new one costs just a few dozen bucks, saving you from expensive part replacements later due to chronic oil burning. By the way, older cars are more prone to PCV valve issues, especially high-mileage vehicles. Keeping an eye on maintenance can extend your engine's lifespan.
