Engine burns oil - should I bother with oil changes?

[squeegy]

My 2000 Corolla burns about 1/4 litre of oil every time I fill up with gas. I top it up every time the dipstick level gets to the minimum line (every 3-4 gas fillups usually). So should I bother going to get an oil change? I don't have the eqiupment or knowledge/skill to do oil changes myself, so I'd be taking it to Mr Lube.

My thought is that since I'm always adding new oil anyways what's the point of getting an oil change right? And I'm thinking a flush (or whatever they call the $70ish cleaning of the oil compartment) would be a very bad idea cause the buildup of crud there is probably stopping my engine from leaking any more than it already does...

Any input would be very appreciated, as you can tell I'm pretty much a rookie when it comes to car maintenance.

[SkylineGTR]

Instead of worrying about if you should do oil changes you might want to have your car inspected to find out why it's burning oil. A vehicle as new as yours shouldn't be burning oil. I'm not sure exactly why it would be burning oil (still learning) but my guess would be a poor/damaged piston ring.

[gman]

My 2000 Corolla burns about 1/4 litre of oil every time I fill up with gas. I top it up every time the dipstick level gets to the minimum line (every 3-4 gas fillups usually). So should I bother going to get an oil change? I don't have the eqiupment or knowledge/skill to do oil changes myself, so I'd be taking it to Mr Lube.

My thought is that since I'm always adding new oil anyways what's the point of getting an oil change right? And I'm thinking a flush (or whatever they call the $70ish cleaning of the oil compartment) would be a very bad idea cause the buildup of crud there is probably stopping my engine from leaking any more than it already does...

Any input would be very appreciated, as you can tell I'm pretty much a rookie when it comes to car maintenance.

Oil change is not just about changing oil. You need to change the filter too.
So, is your engine leaking oil or burning oil?

[Pete_Coach]

Yes, you should change the oil and filter, even if it is burning oil. The byproducts of combustion are still getting into the oil system and with clearances such that you are bypassing oil into the combustion of the engine, all the more reason to change the oil.
Are you sure you are burning oil? Can you see blue smoke out the exhaust? Is the exhaust pipe wet? Check your PVC system. Sometimes it can get so clogged that you pressurize the crankcase and it just blows out oil vice burning it past the valves or rings.

[CKY350]

It could be valve seal that are worn and let oil into the combustion chamber when the car sit. Do you have blue smoke coming out of you exhaust only when you start your car ? if it is whenever you accelerate it is probably piston ring

[Disada]

Follow the toyota's recommend oil change interval. If you don't change your oil, you will learn a very expensive lesson.

[watching]

OP needs to get his car repaired. There's nothing worse than being stuck behind a car that's burning oil, while trying to breathe and drive at the same time. Gag

[cq358]

Oil consumption will just keep getting worst, the cylinder liner is wearing out . You need a new engine block to eliminate oil consumption. which cost 4500 to rebuild.
trade your car in and add 2000-3000 and buy an 04 corolla. They corrected the engine problem and it got bigger space inside. You will love driving the 04.

[olympic]

You still need to change the oil, yes. You should try one of the high mileage oils or maybe a thicker oil to see if it helps.

[squeegy]

Wow thanks for all the replies!

SkylineGTR - I had the engine checked by my mechanic who I very much trust soon after I started losing oil. He checked all the parts that could easily be replaced if faulty and did as much as he could, but told me he'd need to open up the engine block (if that's the right terminology) to truly see what the problem was, and this would cost $$$ - can't remember exactly how much but in the $2000 range or so depending on what needed to be done. So he gave me the option of just keep adding oil when it burns down, which is what I'm doing.

gman - Thanks, didn't even think of the oil filter. And the "leaking" part was a typo on my part. My understanding is that is burns and does not leak.

Pete Coach - Good point with the byproducts. I have no blue smoke or anything. Actually I have absolutely no indication that I'm losing oil (burning or leaking) other than my oil level going down. I'll check my exhaust pipe next time I'm out to check for wetness. I'm assuming my mechanic checked the PVC system in his assessment. But thanks, I'm make sure to have him check it again next time.

cq358 - Exactly, it's a $$$ repair. I've only spent about $100 on extra oil in the past 6 months so I'm going to keep adding oil until the problem gets out of hand, then by that time I'll be buying a new car anyways...

olympic - Yeah I'm using Castrol GTX High Mileage and adding Stop-Leak thick stuff every once in a while in case there is actually a leak that I don't know about. I would think my garage would get oil on the floor if it was leaking though.



So now that I'm explained the situation a bit more with appropriate details, any added insight is greatly appreciated. Thanks for all the help so far!!

[Pete_Coach]

Oil consumption will just keep getting worst, the cylinder liner is wearing out . You need a new engine block to eliminate oil consumption. which cost 4500 to rebuild.
trade your car in and add 2000-3000 and buy an 04 corolla. They corrected the engine problem and it got bigger space inside. You will love driving the 04.

Whaaat? You can tell this by ...by...what? Or did you have a boroscope from your computer down the guys spark plug hole? I think there is more than the engine blowing smoke here????

OP, I realize that you check your oil regularly and this may be moot but make sure that you are getting proper readings on your dip stick. I have seen where folks just overfill because they mis-read or they didn't push the stick down far enough and add too much oil, and it blows out. Let it go a bit beyond the level where you top up and see if it keeps dropping. Your oil light will come on way before you cause any damage so don't worry too much. Keep a couple of litres in your car and experiment. See if it stabilizes at a certain level.

[cq358]

Its just a common problem with this 1.8 L engine. Particular in the years of 98-2002 corollas. You can do a compression test if you want to. But based on my experience, even you replace a set of oil rings but the oil consumption problem still there. Even a shop foreman from a dealership had experienced the same problem =) with his own 01 corolla. You need to replace the ring and the block to get rid of the problem.
However, since the used car market for compact car is very robust in these days. So I am strongly encourage you to trade in.

But I also agree with Pete that the dipstick might not pushed all the way in since the rubber seal on the dip stick is dry. Try wipe the black dip stick seal with oil and put it in all the way down.

Pete is a very knowledgable guy and I respected him 110%.

He is the only person in this forum complement with a silver Star (Arrow) in his guarage.

Whaaat? You can tell this by ...by...what? Or did you have a boroscope from your computer down the guys spark plug hole? I think there is more than the engine blowing smoke here????

OP, I realize that you check your oil regularly and this may be moot but make sure that you are getting proper readings on your dip stick. I have seen where folks just overfill because they mis-read or they didn't push the stick down far enough and add too much oil, and it blows out. Let it go a bit beyond the level where you top up and see if it keeps dropping. Your oil light will come on way before you cause any damage so don't worry too much. Keep a couple of litres in your car and experiment. See if it stabilizes at a certain level.

[BobyYoo]

It all depend on how much your car is worth for you.

Also, you gotta be sure that it is actually burning oil and not leaking.

I had alot of beater in my life, usually car that are worth no more than $2000. If the car is burning oil, I wouldn't do an oil change. Usually add 1 liter every month.

I know those low end toyota and honda usually burn oil when they are over 200000km. That's normal in my experience. Problems are usually valve seal, piston rings which mean, it could cost around $500 to $2000.
So it depend on if you really want to keep that car, or just sell it and buy something else.

believe me, i have never seen an engine failure due to not doing oil change. The only thing I have seen is if you dont change the filter (if your filter location is underneat). I have seen filter rust and cause a leak. (My uncle's car)
He hasn't change his filter for 3 years, so it rusted so bad that it cause a leak.