Hey guys/gals, got a little bit of a dilemma here... I've noticed that lately I've been burning through a lot of oil in just every day driving. I've gone into Jiffy Lube for a "top off" and been advised that once I was nearly two quarts low! That's a nearly half of the available OIL for the engine (4.5 qts). Strangely enough my catalytic converter went bad a few weeks ago and I had it replaced under warranty and I wonder if this is all somehow related.

So, in my attempts to diagnose the problem, I've checked the following:

1. Garage floor is clean, no engine oil leaks, or stains
2. Engine itself appears to be clean, no leaks or stains on the head, valve cover or down by transmission
3. I've pulled the PCV valve and ran the engine to see if the oil was escaping into the valvetrain and possibly being burned or exhausted there...nothing found and no smoke emitting from the valve itself.
4. No white smoke coming from either the manifold or from the exhaust itself...
5. Checked exhaust tip for oil residue or thick crust...nothing found, just your standard black carbonized crap.

I do know it's time to change the plugs, but i don't see how that would cause this issue. Anybody who might have experienced this problem or is a little more familiar with engines than I...I would greatly appreciate your input. Thanks in advance!

~Fred

 

Take it in. It sounds like it's still under warranty so let the dealership deal with it.

 

Weird. Devon (DevTc) is/was going through something similar.

I'm with Eric. Get it to the dealer and get it documented.

 

Unfortunately the warranty is expired....the emissions are "extended" due to federal mandate, hence no pay for catalytic replacement. Can't get my head around this one...any other ideas?

Thanks for the replies! :-)
~F

 

I would still get it in. They may have a service bulletin on that and they may cover it...... .02

What do the spark plugs look like? If they are black from oil, then it may be time for rings.....

 

Plugs looked A-OK....standard buildup...I blasted them and put them back in cause I couldn't get some NGK's to replace then and there...haven't gone back to look at 'em since though, this was about 2 months ago....

~Fred

 

How long does it take you to go through that much oil?

 

hows the coolant levels &

how does the oil smell

 

all fluids are on the money, no leaks anywhere, checked underneath and it's dry as a bone...tranny is good,...I wonder if the OIL I'm using is too thin? Can't quite remember what weight, but it's a full synthetic... No idea how the oil smells, haven't given it a good sniff, but it looks pretty fresh!

It took 4k for it to lose nearly three quarts this time around.

~Fred

 

Get a leakdown test done. Easiest way to find what's wrong. And where. I have the same problem and I'm certain my piston rings are gone and valves are damaged.

 

so wait...no leaks, no puddles of oil, no oil residue in your exhaust, no fouled up spark plugs etc. are you sure that the last time you got your oil change, they maybe forgot to fill it all the way up? the oil can't just vanish, it has to either leak out or be burned by the engine. if you are leaving puddles anywhere or spewling blue smoke wherever you go, i think somebody only put in 2 quarts of oil on your last oil change.

 

check the smell of the oil

see if it smells like gas

being such a new car i doubt this but you might have a small crack inside

you have to be burning it somewhere

 

I'll give 'er a whiff when I get outta work. I'm telling you, I've been trying to think about what I'm missing...one of those mysteries of the universe. LOL Thanks for all the input though...everyone's suggestions and comments have provided me more insight. I'll keep on this and see what I can find out. Any more ideas would be appreciate....naturally!

Perhaps the leak test is the way to go. (blown piston rings...ughh, just the thought makes my skin crawl...)

~F

 

If your were using too thin an oil, I would think it would show up on your plugs and tailpipe.

 

Can you see my dilemma? LOL...

~F

 

Yup. Check with Dev and see if she's figured anything out.

 

quick question.. how do you know you are losing oil.. did you check it or did you get the oil light or did jiffy lube just tell you that you were low.?? did they top if off and said that it needed 2 quarts or did you assume that because they charged you for 2 quarts to top?? And if it was low and you checked the oil where on the stick was the oil at??

 

from his post i think he knows a bit about cars to be able to check it himself so i dont think its an issue

its burning somewhere along the process. just have to track it down

 

i think your piston rings are fried.

i would take a look at your car but your way in tucson =(

 

Wow I am so glad i have finally found someone with my same issue. Although i am sorry your Tc is burning oil. I have no HELP from the dealer on my issue nor have i had any help from Scion Customer service. My car burns a quart of oil every thousand miles. I have no smoke, no leaks under my car, etc. same as you. I have had this problem since my car had 23000 miles on it when Precision Toyota dealership noticed it as unusually low when i brought my car in to check an electrical issue. Then they noticed again when i brought it in for an oil change a couple thousand miles after that. They monitored the issue by making me drive a 1000 miles and bring it in to check my usuage. One time i brought it in but had to add a quart before they checked it and made my testing bad because i added my own oil. So they told me it is normal to burn up to a quart of oil per 1000 miles, its states that in the manual to cover their butts. I then started taking my car to Fletcher Tire shop to get my oil changes because they would measure my oil for me that they took out during my oil change, they were shocked i had such an issue with my car. They stated that it ISN't normal to burn oil like i do in my car. I went there three times, i have all my paperwork and even have oil that they took from my car. I then went back to a toyota dealership to get my oil change, this time a different place- they noticed that i had burned alot of oil but they couldn't stand up for me only with me bringing my car in once.
I just recently went back to Precision toyota for a oil change- ASKED them to please measure my oil before they do an oil change and make a note on my paperwork, i also told them that i was two quarts low on oil , and that the day before checked my oil level and had NONE showing on the dipstick-i added two quarts . I got my car back after they changed my oil, they NEVER noted anything- the whole time i am talking to the service advisor he is telling me they can't measure my oil before they give me a oil change and that is it normal to burn oil in my car- how rehearsed but the dealership and the Scion customer service technician has told me it is normal and ok for my car to burn that much oil.




That being said- can't tell that this issue really bumms me out. But i am not sure what else to do, where else to go for help on this issue. I have a 100000 mile warranty and a book of paperwork, but my luck when my car does break it will be after my warranty is up and it will then be my problem.

If you want to call me and we can meet and see what we can do together on this issue i would be greatful .

623-329-2003- I also live in tucson.


Sincerely,

Devon