2001 Corolla Burning Oil

[85shadow]

My 2001 Corolla has 170,000 miles on it. It has been using a LOT of oil for a long time - before it hit 100,000 K. It uses about 1 1/2 quarts every 1,000 miles. There are NO oil leaks to be found under the car. I read about the stuck oil ring condition and this sounded like my problem. Last night I removed the spark plugs and put some Marvel Mystery Oil in each cylinder with a turkey baster. I let it sit overnight. I put a towel over the spark plug holes and cranked it a few times to get the excess oil out, put the plugs in and started it. It took a few cranks to get it started. Oh my, did it smoke! It must have smoked for 5 minutes. Eventually it cleared up and now there is a hint of white smoke coming out the exhaust. I put some MMO in the crankcase. I really fear that this vehicle will not pass NY inspection in one month. Did I do the right think to try and free the oil control rings IF that is my problem? If not, what else can I try or what elase might be my problem.

Thanks so much to all who reply.

[Camryamnesty]

Is there a check engine light on? does is smoke when you first start it, then clear up after a few minutes?

[85shadow]

Hi,

Thanks for your response. The Check Engine light has not come on at all and it pretty much smokes a little - all the time - white smoke - like a cloud.

[sheepwundr]

that was a common problem for those model years. i believe from 98-02. need new engine. piston rings are junk and the cylinder walls get pretty abused because of the lack of oil.

[low_YO]

do a compresion check! it could be a blown head gasket if its white smoke, are you losing any coolent?

[sheepwundr]

if it was a blown head gasket that was pushing a quart and a half of oil every 1000 mi he would see the oil leak. plus he said what i have seen at the dealership about piston rings going bad in this model year.

[low_YO]

true true