Burning oil... - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

TexanAvenger · 11-30-2004, 02:34 PM

After having talked to a couple of people lately, after having noticed it myself, I believe that my car is burning oil. I don't pretend to know much at all about cars, so I'd like to throw this out to into the TFP. What kinds of things could cause this and, maybe just as importantly, how much would they cost to fix? It doesn't feel like it's affecting anything, so I'm not terribly worried about getting something done immediately, just curious as to if there is anything I can do to fix the problem myself and as to the seriousness of it. It's a '93 Saturn SL2, five-speed (never owning another auto...). I'd really appreciate any help. Thanks y'all.

DJMala · 12-03-2004, 11:59 PM

I'm no expert, but if you're actually burning oil (i.e. blueish smoke coming from the tailpipe) the most common cause is simply old age. How many miles do you have? Over time parts wear, gaps get wider, and eventually oil starts to slip past the piston rings into the combustion chamber. There are some stopgap measures, like using thicker oil, but the only real fix is to rebuild or replace the engine.

If you're just smelling it and the oil level keeps dropping, it's possible you could just have a leak that's dripping onto a hot engine part. The rear main seal can drip on a hot transmission housing, or valve covers can leak onto the exhaust manifold. The oil cooks off, giving you that burning smell. You may even see a little smoke, which will seem to come from no place in particular in the back of the car as you drive. Watch for spots on the pavement after the car has been parked in one place for a while. This will generally be cheaper and easier to fix, although something like the main seal can get a little expensive because just getting to the part can be labor intensive.

TexanAvenger · 12-05-2004, 10:24 AM

Well, it's got ~186 thousand on the odometer, so it's more'n a little worn. I know there is the occasional smoke coming from the back, but since I'm usually the one driving, I can't tell if it's coming from the tailpipe or not. I'll try to find that out though.

Thanks DJMala

merkerguitars · 12-05-2004, 07:31 PM

Wow thats alot of miles....kinda can't expect it not to burn some oil.
Does is puff smoke out only when you start it? That is a sign of the valve seals being worn out.
If it burns it while you drive it it's usually rings, which then is costly, how much oil do you exactly go through in about 1000 miles?

TexanAvenger · 12-06-2004, 02:53 PM

Unfortunately, it is while I'm driving that there is a little bit of smoke. Not a lot, mind you, but enough to have made me notice. However, I haven't owned it for 1000 miles, so I can't really tell you how much oil it goes thorugh/eats in that time. However, in the ~750 miles I've owned it, I've had the oil changed once and added a half-quart yesterday.

GetRdone · 12-15-2004, 08:42 PM

A quick fix may be just to toss in some high mileage oil...it swells the seals in the motor and often can reduce oil consumption, if not temporarily eliminate it. It could be alot of things, but alot of them are costly, and internal. I dont want to scare u but my old car burned oil, did it for about 3 months or so, then i shot 2 valves thru the valve cover and lost compression. However my car was raced and beaten, so this will probably not be an issue for you. Try the high mileage oil first, and if it still is bad, take it to a technition, something could be VERY wrong.

11-30-2004, 02:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
TexanAvenger Born-Again New Guy Location: Unfound.	Burning oil... After having talked to a couple of people lately, after having noticed it myself, I believe that my car is burning oil. I don't pretend to know much at all about cars, so I'd like to throw this out to into the TFP. What kinds of things could cause this and, maybe just as importantly, how much would they cost to fix? It doesn't feel like it's affecting anything, so I'm not terribly worried about getting something done immediately, just curious as to if there is anything I can do to fix the problem myself and as to the seriousness of it. It's a '93 Saturn SL2, five-speed (never owning another auto...). I'd really appreciate any help. Thanks y'all. Last edited by TexanAvenger; 11-30-2004 at 02:40 PM..

12-03-2004, 11:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
DJMala Crazy Location: MA	I'm no expert, but if you're actually burning oil (i.e. blueish smoke coming from the tailpipe) the most common cause is simply old age. How many miles do you have? Over time parts wear, gaps get wider, and eventually oil starts to slip past the piston rings into the combustion chamber. There are some stopgap measures, like using thicker oil, but the only real fix is to rebuild or replace the engine. If you're just smelling it and the oil level keeps dropping, it's possible you could just have a leak that's dripping onto a hot engine part. The rear main seal can drip on a hot transmission housing, or valve covers can leak onto the exhaust manifold. The oil cooks off, giving you that burning smell. You may even see a little smoke, which will seem to come from no place in particular in the back of the car as you drive. Watch for spots on the pavement after the car has been parked in one place for a while. This will generally be cheaper and easier to fix, although something like the main seal can get a little expensive because just getting to the part can be labor intensive. Last edited by DJMala; 12-04-2004 at 12:01 AM..

12-05-2004, 07:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
merkerguitars Buffering......... Location: Wisconsin...	Wow thats alot of miles....kinda can't expect it not to burn some oil. Does is puff smoke out only when you start it? That is a sign of the valve seals being worn out. If it burns it while you drive it it's usually rings, which then is costly, how much oil do you exactly go through in about 1000 miles? __________________ Donate now! Ask me How! Please use the search function it is your friend. Look at my mustang please feel free to comment! http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=26985

12-05-2004, 10:24 AM	#3 (permalink)
TexanAvenger Born-Again New Guy Location: Unfound.	Well, it's got ~186 thousand on the odometer, so it's more'n a little worn. I know there is the occasional smoke coming from the back, but since I'm usually the one driving, I can't tell if it's coming from the tailpipe or not. I'll try to find that out though. Thanks DJMala

12-06-2004, 02:53 PM	#5 (permalink)
TexanAvenger Born-Again New Guy Location: Unfound.	Unfortunately, it is while I'm driving that there is a little bit of smoke. Not a lot, mind you, but enough to have made me notice. However, I haven't owned it for 1000 miles, so I can't really tell you how much oil it goes thorugh/eats in that time. However, in the ~750 miles I've owned it, I've had the oil changed once and added a half-quart yesterday.

12-15-2004, 08:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
GetRdone Psycho	A quick fix may be just to toss in some high mileage oil...it swells the seals in the motor and often can reduce oil consumption, if not temporarily eliminate it. It could be alot of things, but alot of them are costly, and internal. I dont want to scare u but my old car burned oil, did it for about 3 months or so, then i shot 2 valves thru the valve cover and lost compression. However my car was raced and beaten, so this will probably not be an issue for you. Try the high mileage oil first, and if it still is bad, take it to a technition, something could be VERY wrong.