Oil Consumption vs. type of oil - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

crc13 · 01-19-2011, 04:58 PM

I have been using 5w30 high mileage castrol oil. I have really noticed the oil burning quite fast in my car. Would it help if I switched to a different grade oil? Any suggestions on what to use?

bigbird · 01-19-2011, 05:25 PM

perhaps slightly, but if it is burning oil, thats not the oil causing that, especially since you have the optimal oil to use. the only fix will be figuring out why your burning oil and fixing it.

crc13 · 01-19-2011, 05:34 PM

I know I would love to fix it, but it just seems like I am putting in oil every week. I just don't want to do a rebuild right now.

carsrus · 01-19-2011, 07:54 PM

10w30 castrol highmileage. Minimum I would run.

Are you sure its burning it and not leaking? Are you smoking a bit on startup? How much oil do you add between oil changes?

***fenixus*** · 01-19-2011, 08:04 PM

10W-30 is not a good choice in Winter.

in Winter I would recommend staying with 5W weight, but instead move towards heavier viscosity, e.g. 5W-40 HM to compensate for the oil burning slower.

***JohnGD*** · 01-19-2011, 08:05 PM

Wisconsin is like 15 deg F. I'd stick with 5W-30. A high mileage oil cuts down on minor problems, but if you have bad valve stem seals or piston rings then the oil can't help.

But since Toyota says 1.1qt is fine every 600 miles (with their newer cost-cutting engines), as long as it's below that you're probably ok.

crc13 · 01-19-2011, 08:48 PM

I do have smoke at start up and do usually smell burning oil. I just replaced the o2 sensors tonight and noticed on the back of the engine oil, looks like the valve cover gasket. I know the rings are bad, but if I am going to fix that , might as well pull it all out, since there is 225k on it.

***fenixus*** · 01-19-2011, 09:25 PM

at such mileage I'd rather keep it as is and just top off that oil weekly. instead of investing money into a rebuild of an old & worn engine, I would start saving for an engine swap in meantime when the time comes ... that is if you plan on keeping this shell with other components for a while longer.

***JohnGD*** · 01-19-2011, 10:05 PM

If you can smell oil and you know the valve cover gasket is leaking then it should be easier. The oil pools near the cover gasket at the firewall side, so if you can get it resealed that may cut down on the consumption.

The smoke at start up is most likely stem seals. Those you can take care of with the next timing belt.

Quote:

Originally Posted by crc13

I do have smoke at start up and do usually smell burning oil. I just replaced the o2 sensors tonight and noticed on the back of the engine oil, looks like the valve cover gasket. I know the rings are bad, but if I am going to fix that , might as well pull it all out, since there is 225k on it.

tweak1029 · 01-21-2011, 02:20 AM

Might as well replace the valve cover gasket. It's cheaper than the oil. Before you do that, you might make sure the valve cover is tightened properly. When I replaced my valve cover gasket the nuts weren't even finger tight. I've read elsewhere that they tend to loosen so periodically checking them might go under maintenance.