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Reasons You Always Have Engine Oil Shortage - Car Talk - Nairaland

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Reasons You Always Have Engine Oil Shortage by UceeGod: 3:50pm On Apr 19, 2018
Except if the car is an old one, newer cars don’t normally need engine oil topping in-between service intervals. If you are having regular engine oil shortages in your car, then you need to know where the oil goes as this may indicate a looming engine problem. There are various reasons why the engine oil goes low frequently including high engine temperature, broken seal and gasket, worn out piston rings and valve guides, type of engine, driving style, type of oil used and also leaky oil pan and oil filter.

If the engine temperature does get higher than normal, thermal breakdown of the oil starts and the oil gets thinner thereby making it easier for the oil to get into the combustion chamber, get mixed with fuel and gets burned.

The valve cover protects the cylinder heads and entire engine from oil and water leaks. To do this, it is very important that the valve cover is oil tight. Since most valve covers are made with very thin pieces of metal, they can’t withstand the high pressure from inside especially at high temperatures. Now, to support the function of the valve cover is where the valve cover gasket is needed. The valve cover gasket is a molded rubber over a steel carrier or a full rubber molded seal shaped to conform to the valve cover flange to make sure that the valve cover properly seals the cylinder and prevents oil from coming out of the cylinder as the oil flows through. The gasket gets worn out either because of excessive internal engine pressure or old age. The result is an oil leak that may or may not be visible under the car or oil residue on the engine body. Another possible symptom is a smell of burning oil in the passenger cabin of the car.

The piston ring seals the combustion chamber from the crankcase while the valve guide supports the motion of the valves to seal off the combustion chamber within the valve train. Rings and valve guides do wear out as the car ages, excessive engine wear or poor car maintenance. As this happens, there will be too much clearance between touching surfaces and this will allow oil to get into the combustion chamber where it gets burnt and comes out from the exhaust as a heavy bluish smoke or a mild smoke. If the engine smoke is bluish while increasing engine speed and then disappears, then the problem is with the valve guide. If it produces a mild smoke constantly, then the problem is from the piston ring, a compression test will have to be performed on the engine to determine the condition of the piston ring.

Some engines do consume oil because of the way they are designed, most especially latest German models like Audi, BMW and Mercedez Benz. For example, for some latest BMW, Audi and Benz, it’s normal for their engines to burn 1litre of oil in less than 1000miles.

Continuous driving at high speeds/RPMs may increase oil consumption. This is because the more the engine speed the more pressure you put on the seals and gaskets and some of the oil finds its way around and gets burnt away in the combustion chamber.

Using a lower viscous(thin and lighter) oil than the one recommended for your car will cause a higher oil consumption. Low viscosity oil is thinner so it can leak past rings and valve guide seals easier than heavier viscosity oils. For most late model engines, using low viscosity synthetic oil (such as 5W-20, 0W-40 and 0W-20) is recommended.

It is common for the oil sump(pan) seal/gasket to wear out and start leaking oil. The oil pan gasket seals the oil pan to the bottom of the engine. Another possible reason for a leaking oil pan is a loose or improperly tightened oil drain plug/bolt. Having the wrong oil filter or using an old/slag filter seal can cause oil leak from the filter. The most common symptom is an observable oil leakage under the car.

http://autoclinix.com.ng/page/23/

3 Likes

Re: Reasons You Always Have Engine Oil Shortage by wildcatter23(m): 7:15am On Apr 23, 2018
[color=#990000][/color]
Re: Reasons You Always Have Engine Oil Shortage by Nobody: 7:15am On Apr 23, 2018
I use a diff oil from d recommended on. Mobil 1 but i use mobil xhp. grin when i sell d car mk d new owner worry about dat

5 Likes 1 Share

Re: Reasons You Always Have Engine Oil Shortage by tokrizy: 7:18am On Apr 23, 2018
ok
Re: Reasons You Always Have Engine Oil Shortage by EDOSBROWN: 7:20am On Apr 23, 2018
thanks
Re: Reasons You Always Have Engine Oil Shortage by tokrizy: 7:20am On Apr 23, 2018
yeyerolling:
I a diff oil from d recommended on. Mobil 1 but i use mobil xhp. grin when i sell d car mk d new owner worry about dat
what you saying ??

6 Likes

Re: Reasons You Always Have Engine Oil Shortage by Nobody: 7:22am On Apr 23, 2018
Sarang:
smiley Educative..

I was going to open a thread to ask this question but decided to ask it here..

Does anyone remember this song sang by Ebere and Emeka, some titles include"No one can cut this love, big baby big yansh, I want to leave you to travel abroad" These are the ones I remember, it's a mixture of English and Igbo in the early 2000s.. Please tell me how to get it if you know.. I have searched youtube tire.. cry

meanwhile do please see my signature
Re: Reasons You Always Have Engine Oil Shortage by Alvin007: 7:23am On Apr 23, 2018
It can also be a result of a factory defect...that’s why some cars with defective engines are recalled...

1 Like

Re: Reasons You Always Have Engine Oil Shortage by potent5(m): 7:24am On Apr 23, 2018
At last BBN has ended and we can now begin to have sensible posts once again. Thanks Op.

2 Likes

Re: Reasons You Always Have Engine Oil Shortage by Nobody: 7:27am On Apr 23, 2018
That's the same issue I'm having with my Camry. I serviced it about two weeks ago, I was told to change the oil to Total Classic and oil treatment was added. I checked it 2 days ago and the whole oil has gone dow, no leakage was discovered. I'm really afraid. @OP, pls, what do you suggest?
Re: Reasons You Always Have Engine Oil Shortage by kuntash: 7:30am On Apr 23, 2018
Summarily ,

There are 3 key avenues engine oil and water coolant can be lost in an engine

- The gasket , gasket burn varies, and some could burn in a manner which oils always get in between the very hot cylinder head and the engine block internally, when this happens, the oil or coolant burns or dries up steadily and you have a reduction in either

There are also instances both oil and coolant still as a result of burnt gasket, they find their way into the exhaust manifold, this is the type that can be visible , you have excessive white smoke(Coolant) and blue smoke(oils)

- valve seals, - oils can pass thru them and u have them sprinkling out via the breather hose , - this can lead to shortage also


- and of course a weak engine in form of block, rings , pistons etc- can send oils via your exhaust


These are basically popular causes of leaks (engine oil and coolant)

2 Likes

Re: Reasons You Always Have Engine Oil Shortage by Fogman(m): 7:32am On Apr 23, 2018
Following
Re: Reasons You Always Have Engine Oil Shortage by 400billionman: 7:34am On Apr 23, 2018
grin Copy and Paste
Re: Reasons You Always Have Engine Oil Shortage by OboOlora(f): 7:38am On Apr 23, 2018
Copy and paste!

Poor writing skills!!

Next time, list out the points and explain in details afterwards.

1 Like

Re: Reasons You Always Have Engine Oil Shortage by wickyyolo: 7:48am On Apr 23, 2018
After I knock my Sequoia engine undecided.

Nah my legediz Benz I wan service now atleast nah only kiwi that one need.

5 Likes

Re: Reasons You Always Have Engine Oil Shortage by don89(m): 7:49am On Apr 23, 2018
Thank you very much , i love this .
Re: Reasons You Always Have Engine Oil Shortage by Grupo(m): 7:57am On Apr 23, 2018
Though my enquiry is not about a car, I still think I could be able to get help here.

A new generator I bought in February burns and shorts oil like mad. In fact, it burns oil like it is burning fuel. Could anyone help me say what could be wrong with the generator
Re: Reasons You Always Have Engine Oil Shortage by grafixdon: 8:09am On Apr 23, 2018
My engine used to short engine oil. This gives me a whole lot of headache for months. The best mechanic in town diagnosed it and discovered nothing. Their conclusions were the engine needs ringing or replacement.

Not Until I discovered that the oil was licking somewhere just beside the engine, there's one loose bolt that the oil is escaping from. I took the car to the mechanic and showed him the leakage, he puts some in his mouth, told me it was transmission oil, he seal the place and I left. It been 3 months now, I've travelled to many states and I've never experienced any shortage of oil ever since. I'm so so happy.

8 Likes 1 Share

Re: Reasons You Always Have Engine Oil Shortage by Ayobami7(m): 8:28am On Apr 23, 2018
Thanks Noted
Re: Reasons You Always Have Engine Oil Shortage by mmb(m): 8:33am On Apr 23, 2018
Sarang:
smiley Educative..

I was going to open a thread to ask this question but decided to ask it here..

Does anyone remember this song sang by Ebere and Emeka, name is power of love and some titles include"No one can cut this love, big baby big yansh, I want to leave you to travel abroad" These are the ones I remember, it's a mixture of English and Igbo in the early 2000s.. Please tell me how to get it if you know.. I have searched youtube tire.. cry

meanwhile do please see my signature
check ww.youtube
Re: Reasons You Always Have Engine Oil Shortage by nagoma(m): 9:23am On Apr 23, 2018
abejide1000:
That's the same issue I'm having with my Camry. I serviced it about two weeks ago, I was told to change the oil to Total Classic and oil treatment was added. I checked it 2 days ago and the whole oil has gone dow, no leakage was discovered. I'm really afraid. @OP, pls, what do you suggest?

Yes, so many Camrys have that problem

1 Like

Re: Reasons You Always Have Engine Oil Shortage by MotorGuru: 9:33am On Apr 23, 2018
nagoma:


Yes, so many Camrys have that problem

The 4 cylinder Camry's of that generation (particularly the early models:2007-08) had defective piston oil control rings that gave out as early as 70,000 miles. This issue was particularly common to the US built camrys and the only remedy was a complete rebuild which required the replacement of the pistons and rings.
Also affected was the 2006-2009 Rav-4s using the same engine.

So if yours is already shorting oil, you have two options:
1. replace engine ( i would advise you source for Japanese built 2AZ-FE engines)
2. Replace Piston and rings assembly(not too comfortable with this though, as it requires original OEM parts and skilled expertise)

7 Likes

Re: Reasons You Always Have Engine Oil Shortage by realmindz: 9:47am On Apr 23, 2018
abejide1000:
That's the same issue I'm having with my Camry. I serviced it about two weeks ago, I was told to change the oil to Total Classic and oil treatment was added. I checked it 2 days ago and the whole oil has gone dow, no leakage was discovered. I'm really afraid. @OP, pls, what do you suggest?


which year is yours? I'm having similar issue with my 2011...though mine is 2 months after service then oil becomes short...
Re: Reasons You Always Have Engine Oil Shortage by nagoma(m): 10:27am On Apr 23, 2018
MotorGuru:


The 4 cylinder Camry's of that generation (particularly the early models:2007-08) had defective piston oil control rings that gave out as early as 70,000 miles. This issue was particularly common to the US built camrys and the only remedy was a complete rebuild which required the replacement of the pistons and rings.
Also affected was the 2006-2009 Rav-4s using the same engine.

So if yours is already shorting oil, you have two options:
1. replace engine ( i would advise you source for Japanese built 2AZ-FE engines)
2. Replace Piston and rings assembly(not too comfortable with this though, as it requires original OEM parts and skilled expertise)

Thank you very much. I guess the engine replacement will be very expensive. Perhaps I will just do the piston and rings replacement. The mechanic I am discussing with assures me that that he has successfully performed such replacement and is no big deal.
Re: Reasons You Always Have Engine Oil Shortage by steveDpro: 11:49am On Apr 23, 2018
Ok
Re: Reasons You Always Have Engine Oil Shortage by Lightening: 7:51pm On Apr 23, 2018
UceeGod:
Except if the car is an old one, newer cars don’t normally need engine oil topping in-between service intervals. If you are having regular engine oil shortages in your car, then you need to know where the oil goes as this may indicate a looming engine problem. There are various reasons why the engine oil goes low frequently including high engine temperature, broken seal and gasket, worn out piston rings and valve guides, type of engine, driving style, type of oil used and also leaky oil pan and oil filter.

If the engine temperature does get higher than normal, thermal breakdown of the oil starts and the oil gets thinner thereby making it easier for the oil to get into the combustion chamber, get mixed with fuel and gets burned.

The valve cover protects the cylinder heads and entire engine from oil and water leaks. To do this, it is very important that the valve cover is oil tight. Since most valve covers are made with very thin pieces of metal, they can’t withstand the high pressure from inside especially at high temperatures. Now, to support the function of the valve cover is where the valve cover gasket is needed. The valve cover gasket is a molded rubber over a steel carrier or a full rubber molded seal shaped to conform to the valve cover flange to make sure that the valve cover properly seals the cylinder and prevents oil from coming out of the cylinder as the oil flows through. The gasket gets worn out either because of excessive internal engine pressure or old age. The result is an oil leak that may or may not be visible under the car or oil residue on the engine body. Another possible symptom is a smell of burning oil in the passenger cabin of the car.

The piston ring seals the combustion chamber from the crankcase while the valve guide supports the motion of the valves to seal off the combustion chamber within the valve train. Rings and valve guides do wear out as the car ages, excessive engine wear or poor car maintenance. As this happens, there will be too much clearance between touching surfaces and this will allow oil to get into the combustion chamber where it gets burnt and comes out from the exhaust as a heavy bluish smoke or a mild smoke. If the engine smoke is bluish while increasing engine speed and then disappears, then the problem is with the valve guide. If it produces a mild smoke constantly, then the problem is from the piston ring, a compression test will have to be performed on the engine to determine the condition of the piston ring.

Some engines do consume oil because of the way they are designed, most especially latest German models like Audi, BMW and Mercedez Benz. For example, for some latest BMW, Audi and Benz, it’s normal for their engines to burn 1litre of oil in less than 1000miles.

Continuous driving at high speeds/RPMs may increase oil consumption. This is because the more the engine speed the more pressure you put on the seals and gaskets and some of the oil finds its way around and gets burnt away in the combustion chamber.

Using a lower viscous(thin and lighter) oil than the one recommended for your car will cause a higher oil consumption. Low viscosity oil is thinner so it can leak past rings and valve guide seals easier than heavier viscosity oils. For most late model engines, using low viscosity synthetic oil (such as 5W-20, 0W-40 and 0W-20) is recommended.

It is common for the oil sump(pan) seal/gasket to wear out and start leaking oil. The oil pan gasket seals the oil pan to the bottom of the engine. Another possible reason for a leaking oil pan is a loose or improperly tightened oil drain plug/bolt. Having the wrong oil filter or using an old/slag filter seal can cause oil leak from the filter. The most common symptom is an observable oil leakage under the car.

http://autoclinix.com.ng/page/23/

Format with bullet points next time. So boring.
Re: Reasons You Always Have Engine Oil Shortage by 3kay945(m): 11:28pm On Apr 23, 2018
wickyyolo:
After I knock my Sequoia engine undecided.

Nah my legediz Benz I wan service now atleast nah only kiwi that one need.
How did it happen?
Re: Reasons You Always Have Engine Oil Shortage by 3kay945(m): 11:33pm On Apr 23, 2018
Grupo:
Though my enquiry is not about a car, I still think I could be able to get help here.

A new generator I bought in February burns and shorts oil like mad. In fact, it burns oil like it is burning fuel. Could anyone help me say what could be wrong with the generator

What type and size? A good generator Mech can easily handle this. I guess its piston and rings thing
Re: Reasons You Always Have Engine Oil Shortage by Grupo(m): 11:42pm On Apr 23, 2018
3kay945:


What type and size? A good generator Mech can easily handle this. I guess its piston and rings thing

Firman
1.8kva.

I heard that working the piston and rings would compound the problem.

I don't understand why a new generator should be behaving that way

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