While modern engines have undoubtedly become a lot more reliable in recent times, they are still susceptible to a lot of issues usually associated with older units, the most notable of which is excessive oil consumption. Although excessive engine oil consumption is usually seen as a relatively simple issue, it can lead to some serious problems that can lead to complete engine failures in some cases.
Before we start, it’s important to know that all engines consume a small amount of oil during normal operations. However, the oil consumption is so minuscule that it’s only noticeable during a typical oil change interval. With several engine options available on most models, the modern car market can get complicated. Fortunately, car buying websites like Carindigo will provide plenty of information about all the modern cars and the engines available in them.
Engine oil is used to lubricate the internals of an engine by pumping it through all the crevices, valves, and more to avoid metal-to-metal contact and cool the engine components. Because it is such an important component to keep the engine running, ignoring oil change intervals or even using a different grade of oil can cause engine issues, that can ultimately lead to a complete rebuild, costing thousands of dollars. To avoid this, it’s a good idea to keep all the symptoms in check and take remedial action as soon as possible.
Let’s now take a look at some of the main reasons behind excessive engine oil consumption.
Using old or degraded engine oil
This is by far the most common reason for engine damage and excessive oil burn. As the oil lubricates the engine for several thousand miles, it will break down, eventually reducing its protective properties. After a while, the oil will lose its protective properties and in some extreme cases, form a thick sludge that accumulates around the various components. As modern engines get various technologies like variable valve timings, variable lift control, and more, the degraded engine oil can eventually clog up all these mechanisms, causing damage to the engine. Naturally, this will result in excessive oil burn after a while as the engine components get damaged, eventually resulting in an engine failure.
Even on engines that see low running, oil can degrade over time and lose its properties, causing damage to the engine.
Worn seals or gaskets
As cars age and pile on the miles, the engine goes through several cycles of varying temperatures. This will cause all the components to expand and contract ever so slightly with usage. After a while, this can damage the gaskets and seals inside the engine. The most common fault is with the valve cover gasket located on top of the engine. Fortunately, this is very easy to diagnose and a quick glance at the engine bay will reveal oil leaks, causing your engine to use too much oil. The crankshaft seal is also another common failure point for most engines, causing an oil leak.
Using bad or different grade oil
A glance at your owner’s manual will reveal the type of engine oil to be used on your car. Although most modern engines use fully synthetic oil, some older models run better on cheaper mineral oil. Using a different grade of oil can also lead to engine issues, as the internals are designed to run on a particular oil type and grade. As expected, using a different grade of oil will cause excessive oil burn and even leaks in some cases, resulting in low engine oil conditions.
Worn out piston rings
As the engine gets older with several thousand miles on the clock, the piston rings can get worn out, allowing oil to seep through to the combustion chamber and get burnt, causing a loss in oil after a while. This will also cause excessive carbon deposits on the valves and engine components, leading to an expensive engine repair if not taken care of. Worn piston rings will usually let out a bluish smoke through the exhaust when driving along, making it relatively easy to diagnose, especially if there is excess oil consumption.
High oil pressure
If excess oil is used during an oil change, it can lead to high oil pressure conditions, forcing the oil into the cylinders and causing it to burn off. High oil pressure can also be caused by bad engine electrics and issues with the central computer. This will eventually lead to engine damage if not diagnosed early on.
Oil burn on older engines
As engines run for a long time, particularly as you pass the five-year mark, engine oil consumption can get higher than usual. Most of the oil seals and gaskets will start to deteriorate, leading to several oil leaks and loss of engine oil. Older engines are also not as tightly packed as modern units, allowing more oil to get burned because of higher tolerances. So, on older engines, a small amount of oil burn is expected.
These are some of the most common reasons for excessive oil burn in engines. Now let’s take a look at some tips to avoid engine damage and keep the engine in good running condition.
- Always follow the manufacturer-recommended schedule for oil changes and other timely maintenance. Using the correct oil grade and quantity is also important for a healthy engine. Also, make sure you change the oil filter along with the oil.
- Keeping the engine bay clean will allow you to spot oil leaks early on and address them quickly. Using an engine degreaser once in a while will help get rid of all the accumulated dirt and oil inside the engine bay, giving you a clean canvas to spot any abnormalities.
- Always warm up the engine in the mornings and allow the oil to lubricate all the seals and components before driving off. This is particularly important in colder climates as the oil will take more time to lubricate. After driving off, keep the revs lower for a few miles to help the engine warm up properly.
As soon as you notice an oil leak, make sure you address it and change the gasket or seal to reduce oil loss. It’s also a good idea to get your car up on a lift and check the underside for any small leaks that can eventually cause damage.