Engine is Burning Oil

[Bu B3ar]

I drive a '97 Toyota Corolla, 127k, but the engine only has about 100k on it. I've had it for a couple years now, and never had a problem with it loosing oil. Recently I moved from NY to DE, and made several trips back and forth (approx 600 miles round trip). After my second round trip, i checked the oil....or should i say i checked where the oil SHOULD have been. Instead, i pulled up a dry dipstick (no jokes plz). So i dumped in a few quarts, went to JiffyLube and had the oil changed. I have been keeping my eye on it, and it seems to only burn oil after being at highway speeds for an extended period of time.

- I do small amounts of highway driving to work everyday, and it doesn't seem to have much of an effect
- I have been checking the oil regularly (at least once per week) and it hasn't been burning much, if any
- There is no smoke coming out of my tail pipe, and i dont smell anything burning
- Since the oil change (about 2 months), i put one quart of oil in, and something my dad gave me that helps clean the engine out
- I do keep up on maintenance, and the oil had been changed less than 1000 miles before i realized it was gone.
- It is not leaking oil, i have checked under the car, and there is no consistent loss

I have heard there are some products out there that help seal up the engine and prevent this from hapening, but I'm leary on putting random shit into my engine. Or, do i have a more serious problem that is waiting to blow up on me? Any suggestions?

Thread Closed due to Necro-post.

Zenmervolt - AnandTech Moderator

 

[mooseracing]

Valve Guides/Seals or Piston rings would be the most common.

It's not going to blow up, if you keep oil in it.

 

[FeuerFrei]

I have a 1993 Corolla with the 7A-FE engine at 210K miles that's burning oil. If the car's been sitting overnight I'll notice a blue puff of smoke from the exhaust on startup.
You should be able to drive it safely even if you do burn some. It's probably the valve stem seals that are past their prime.
If your state does emissions testing you may need repairs.

 

[Greenman]

Don't put anything in your engine that claims to stop oil burning. You can't replace worn out parts with a can of gunk.

 

[JulesMaximus]

An engine rebuild, if done properly, would cure that problem. Otherwise, you're better off just making sure it has oil in it.

 

[CallMeJoe]

Stop feeding it oil, and soon enough it will stop burning it. Tough Love!!!

 

[Jabbernyx]

Originally posted by: CallMeJoe
Stop feeding it oil, and soon enough it will stop burning it. Tough Love!!!

LOL

 

[chucky2]

Auto-RX it. Follow the instructions, use dino oil and a good filter (Wix, NAPA Gold). Check it out over at BITOG forums under Oil Additives.

Chuck

 

[Greenman]

Originally posted by: chucky2
Auto-RX it. Follow the instructions, use dino oil and a good filter (Wix, NAPA Gold). Check it out over at BITOG forums under Oil Additives.

Chuck

Snake oil. No can of crap will replace worn out parts.

 

[chucky2]

Originally posted by: Greenman

Originally posted by: chucky2
Auto-RX it. Follow the instructions, use dino oil and a good filter (Wix, NAPA Gold). Check it out over at BITOG forums under Oil Additives.

Chuck

Snake oil. No can of crap will replace worn out parts.

I infinity agree with your bold.

Auto-RX however isn't snake oil. If you've got a gummed up engine not due to lots of coolant ingestion, or some other actual physical problem causing your oil burning, then Auto-RX is likely to either stop it, or, minimize it significantly. Case in point gummed up oil control rings.

I understand that 99.9999% of the oil and fuel add products out there are infact either snake oil, or, have such little benefit as to be for the most part useless. Auto-RX is one of the .0001% of products that isn't. There are way way too many success stories over at BITOG, plus for me my own personal experience with the product, to label it anything approaching "snake oil".

Take a read over at BITOG, it's one of the few real deals...

Chuck

 

[Tommouse]

Originally posted by: chucky2

Originally posted by: Greenman

Originally posted by: chucky2
Auto-RX it. Follow the instructions, use dino oil and a good filter (Wix, NAPA Gold). Check it out over at BITOG forums under Oil Additives.

Chuck

Snake oil. No can of crap will replace worn out parts.

I infinity agree with your bold.

Auto-RX however isn't snake oil. If you've got a gummed up engine not due to lots of coolant ingestion, or some other actual physical problem causing your oil burning, then Auto-RX is likely to either stop it, or, minimize it significantly. Case in point gummed up oil control rings.

I understand that 99.9999% of the oil and fuel add products out there are infact either snake oil, or, have such little benefit as to be for the most part useless. Auto-RX is one of the .0001% of products that isn't. There are way way too many success stories over at BITOG, plus for me my own personal experience with the product, to label it anything approaching "snake oil".

Take a read over at BITOG, it's one of the few real deals...

Chuck

I have to agree. I ran a cycle of Auto-RX on my 1.8t. Granted, my car wasn't in bad shape, this was more of a precaution, but as many know the 1.8t can have some serious oil problems. I figured that I might as do something before I run into problems. So I ran Auto-RX through about 15k ago. And I can report that my car still runs like a champ, doesn't burn oil or anything. At the very veeeery least it didn't hurt my car but I'm willing to bet, with at the stories I've heard from pretty much every car forum on the net to back me up, that it did some good.

 

[Vette73]

OP have you replaced the PCV valve yet? Also spray some carb cleaner into the hose connecting the PCV to the motor.

What weight oil are you running? If you run a 5w30 try a 10w30, even though it may not help in your case. If it is summer and very warm then you could also run a 15w40 if the problem gets much worse.

 

[Bu B3ar]

Originally posted by: Jabbernyx

Originally posted by: CallMeJoe
Stop feeding it oil, and soon enough it will stop burning it. Tough Love!!!

LOL

Lol is right...unfortunately i NEED this car to run as long as possible, or else i might actually consider...

 

[Bu B3ar]

Originally posted by: chucky2

Originally posted by: Greenman

Originally posted by: chucky2
Auto-RX it. Follow the instructions, use dino oil and a good filter (Wix, NAPA Gold). Check it out over at BITOG forums under Oil Additives.

Chuck

Snake oil. No can of crap will replace worn out parts.

I infinity agree with your bold.

Auto-RX however isn't snake oil. If you've got a gummed up engine not due to lots of coolant ingestion, or some other actual physical problem causing your oil burning, then Auto-RX is likely to either stop it, or, minimize it significantly. Case in point gummed up oil control rings.

I understand that 99.9999% of the oil and fuel add products out there are infact either snake oil, or, have such little benefit as to be for the most part useless. Auto-RX is one of the .0001% of products that isn't. There are way way too many success stories over at BITOG, plus for me my own personal experience with the product, to label it anything approaching "snake oil".

Take a read over at BITOG, it's one of the few real deals...

Chuck

Thanks for the advice, i will definetly give it a shot. As long as it can't hurt, i count that as helping. I already ran through this stuff a lil while back called Marvels Mystery Oil, you can add it either to your oil or your gas tank, and it helps clean it out and help keep things lubed. I know it worked a little cuz the engine idles a bit easier, but it didnt stop the sllloowwwwww bbbuurrrrnnnnn. Auto-RX it shall be!

 

[chucky2]

Replace the PCV valve first though like Marlin1975 said.

Pick a cheap dino oil (SuperTech Full Synthetic from Walmart is a good simple oil), use a good filter (Wix, NAPA Gold, Motorcraft...not Fram).

Then follow his instructions. You'll need to order two bottles.

If you pay attention to your gas mileage closely, you'll be able to tell when the Auto-RX really starts working...you'll see a nice 1-2mpg gas mileage bump.

Basically it goes like this:

Clean1: Change oil and filter. Add Auto-RX. Drive 2500 miles.
Rinse1: Change oil and filter. Drive 2500 miles.
Clean2: Change oil and filter. Add Auto-RX. Drive 2500 miles.
Rinse2: Change oil and filter. Drive 2500 miles.
Done.

Sludge instructions might be a little different...just read them on the website. Also, it helps to put the bottle of Auto-RX in a bucket of hot water a few minutes prior to pouring it in. Prior to adding to your oil, Auto-RX viscosity changes with respect to temperature. Once added to your oil, it takes on the viscosity of your oil. So just make sure to get it nice and hot before adding it to your engine, that way it pours out nice and easy.

What I do is, after draining the old oil and putting the new filter on, I add some - not all - of the new oil. Then I poor the whole bottle of warmed Auto-RX in. Then, I take the funnel, put it carefully on the Auto-RX bottle, and poor some of the new oil for that oil change into the Auto-RX bottle. Cap it, and shake it up. Poor that into the crankcase. Do this 3 or 4 times...this way you get all the Auto-RX out of the Auto-RX bottle and into your engine. Works really good. Then, you just add the rest of the new oil for that oil change into the crankcase, and you're done. Make sure to keep track when you did the oil change so you can follow the instructions accurately.

Chuck

P.S. Auto-RX Cleaning works best when hot...so don't be scared of getting the car hot. The hotter - within reason here, don't drain half your coolant or something drastic like that - the better.

 

[Chunkee]

how much does it burn? a quart a week/two weeks? not bad really...buy a case and keep it in the trunk and check it periodically...car is paid for right?

 

[Greenman]

Originally posted by: chucky2

Originally posted by: Greenman

Originally posted by: chucky2
Auto-RX it. Follow the instructions, use dino oil and a good filter (Wix, NAPA Gold). Check it out over at BITOG forums under Oil Additives.

Chuck

Snake oil. No can of crap will replace worn out parts.

I infinity agree with your bold.

Auto-RX however isn't snake oil. If you've got a gummed up engine not due to lots of coolant ingestion, or some other actual physical problem causing your oil burning, then Auto-RX is likely to either stop it, or, minimize it significantly. Case in point gummed up oil control rings.

I understand that 99.9999% of the oil and fuel add products out there are infact either snake oil, or, have such little benefit as to be for the most part useless. Auto-RX is one of the .0001% of products that isn't. There are way way too many success stories over at BITOG, plus for me my own personal experience with the product, to label it anything approaching "snake oil".

Take a read over at BITOG, it's one of the few real deals...

Chuck

I'll take your word for it that it's a good product, but I still don't see how it can help. A motor with 100k that's burning oil has mechanical issues. Somehow oil is entering the combustion chamber, there are only two ways it can do that, through the valve seals or past the rings (there are other ways it can get in there, but those would lead to a catastrophic failure in very short order). I just don't see how anything but replacement parts can solve the problem.

 

[chucky2]

I'm seriously not trying to sound like a snake oil salesman (truly, going over and reading all the success stories at BITOG should ease your mind), but, the rings are what's rumored to be cleaned up first with Auto-RX.

Any of the high heat and/or flow areas are where Auto-RX will clean best. Rings are without a doubt high heat. It's theorized that the reason people start seeing the frequent 1-2mpg bumps within the first few hundred miles is because the Auto-RX is freeing up the rings, allowing them to seal against the side of the cylinder better.

I know it's hard to believe, but, Auto-RX really does work.

Chuck

 

[Bu B3ar]

Originally posted by: Chunkee
how much does it burn? a quart a week/two weeks? not bad really...buy a case and keep it in the trunk and check it periodically...car is paid for right?

It goes through a quart every month, month and a half or so, depending on use. It only starts to burn off oil once it gets good and hot...ex) extended highway driving (45+ mins). This leads me to believe it probably is just a very minor issue, seeing how its not leaking and not burning consitantly.

 

[Bu B3ar]

Originally posted by: chucky2
I'm seriously not trying to sound like a snake oil salesman (truly, going over and reading all the success stories at BITOG should ease your mind), but, the rings are what's rumored to be cleaned up first with Auto-RX.

Any of the high heat and/or flow areas are where Auto-RX will clean best. Rings are without a doubt high heat. It's theorized that the reason people start seeing the frequent 1-2mpg bumps within the first few hundred miles is because the Auto-RX is freeing up the rings, allowing them to seal against the side of the cylinder better.

I know it's hard to believe, but, Auto-RX really does work.

Chuck

Thanks for all the good advice Chuck, it doesn't seem like snake oil to me. And while yes i do agree that a 100k+ engine probably does need some new parts, i'm not paying to replace until absolutely necessary (yes, the car is paid for).

 

[dug777]

Those BITOG testimonials about Auto-RX leave a bad taste in my mouth

'Frank' pops up in every other thread pushing it and the 'maintenance program' (which no doubt involves using his product on a regualar basis), and then a few people pop up and praise it in a retch-inducing fashion.

Even if they are genuine, most of the 'testimonials' seem to be people putting an additive in a car that works perfectly, then claiming it continued to work perfectly because of the additive. The rest of them consist of someone taking a car with issues, repeatedly flushing oil and monkeying around with it, adding oodles of Auto-RX, and when there's any (entirely anecdotal of course) improvement in the engine's behaviour, it must have been due to the Auto-RX

It's just plain retarded, where's the control? Where's the independent testing? Have any of these people ever heard of the 'placebo effect'? At the least it isn't reassuring...and it just sounds like some detergents at best

+1 reps for Ronstang & Greenman here.

 

[chucky2]

I can tell you from personal experience on 3 different cars now ('92 Ford Probe, '95 Tbird, '00 Expedition) that it does drastically reduce and/or eliminate oil consumption issues. No putting in a 20W-50 to 'stop the burning', rather, running dino 9.9Cst Havoline 5W-30.

Granted, Frank does tend to babysit his product, and Yes, there are some....more blue collar type posters using it and reporting results.

There are a ton of testemonials on the Auto-RX website, but the one I'm most familiar with (and for those who were on BITOG a few years ago when Auto-RX was first being "discovered", you'll be familiar with this one). This guy Aaron (who is not affiliated with Auto-RX in any way...him and Frank at the time were close to litigation type behavior on Aaron's testing of Auto-RX) used to host this link on his own website, but gave Frank the right to use after he was done with the testing/hosting. Check it out

I realize the aversion to oil and fuel based additives - and when Auto-RX first hit the scene, it was critiqued as well, especially on BITOG. The difference was twofold: 1.) Back at the start of BITOG, there was regular participation by real deal people in the field, and the stardards for discussion were....somewhat higher than they are now. 2.) Auto-RX actually does work, unlike the rest of the useless adds out there.

The problem is we've all (especially including the few pro's that are and used to be on BITOG) become so knee-jerk dismissive of these type of adds because the past history on them is so poor. Then one comes along that actually does what it says it does and it gets lumped in with all the rest.

It's a good product...don't knock it until you've tried it (there's a moneyback guarantee that Frank actually honors...not much to lose)...

Chuck

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: chucky2
I can tell you from personal experience on 3 different cars now ('92 Ford Probe, '95 Tbird, '00 Expedition) that it does drastically reduce and/or eliminate oil consumption issues. No putting in a 20W-50 to 'stop the burning', rather, running dino 9.9Cst Havoline 5W-30.

Granted, Frank does tend to babysit his product, and Yes, there are some....more blue collar type posters using it and reporting results.

There are a ton of testemonials on the Auto-RX website, but the one I'm most familiar with (and for those who were on BITOG a few years ago when Auto-RX was first being "discovered", you'll be familiar with this one). This guy Aaron (who is not affiliated with Auto-RX in any way...him and Frank at the time were close to litigation type behavior on Aaron's testing of Auto-RX) used to host this link on his own website, but gave Frank the right to use after he was done with the testing/hosting. Check it out

I realize the aversion to oil and fuel based additives - and when Auto-RX first hit the scene, it was critiqued as well, especially on BITOG. The difference was twofold: 1.) Back at the start of BITOG, there was regular participation by real deal people in the field, and the stardards for discussion were....somewhat higher than they are now. 2.) Auto-RX actually does work, unlike the rest of the useless adds out there.

The problem is we've all (especially including the few pro's that are and used to be on BITOG) become so knee-jerk dismissive of these type of adds because the past history on them is so poor. Then one comes along that actually does what it says it does and it gets lumped in with all the rest.

It's a good product...don't knock it until you've tried it (there's a moneyback guarantee that Frank actually honors...not much to lose)...

Chuck

I don't even know if it's available here in Aus.

That 'test' and the whole 'battle' between 'Frank' and Aaron' just reeks of an advertising stunt. 'Aaron' would hardly have looked very credible if 'Frank' had supported him all the way though, would he? But if they make it sound all confrontational, then it looks so much more 'independent' (although the effect of that is somewhat blunted by Auto-RX now hosting all "Aaron's' findings

I'm not saying that it's impossible that this thing might do something beneficial, I'm just sceptical of this entire product category, and have seen nothing on Auto-RX to put me at ease.

What would? Independent tests with control groups, and some objective and repeatable results; dyno, mpg under identical conditions, oil usage (rather than subjective 'it was smoother and more powerful' comments, which are worth exactly squat).

 

[LTC8K6]

They don't appear to know how it works, which is another bad sign.

If they can't tell you how it stops oil burning, other than an undocumented theory, it's snake oil, imo.

If it worked, they'd know how it works and have it documented, imo.

 

[LTC8K6]

Also, it helps to put the bottle of Auto-RX in a bucket of hot water a few minutes prior to pouring it in. Prior to adding to your oil, Auto-RX viscosity changes with respect to temperature. Once added to your oil, it takes on the viscosity of your oil. So just make sure to get it nice and hot before adding it to your engine, that way it pours out nice and easy.

Another suspicious claim, imo.

How does it do this?

Obviously if it's thick so that I have to warm it up to pour it, getting it hot and adding it to 5 quarts of hot oil will thin it out...but it is not "taking on the viscosity" of the oil, imo.