5th & 6th Generation (2002-2006 & 2007-2011)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 2002-2006 & 2007-2011
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
My 2007 Camry has had an oil consumption problem for 15000 miles! I currently have around 53,000 miles on my car and every 3,000 miles, I notice a drop in the oil level.....usually between 1/2 to 1 quart. I have had it back to the dealership a couple of times now. They say there is no sign of leaking and that Toyota says it's "normal" for oil loss, and that as long as it's below 1 quart of loss before 3,000 miles, everything's fine. I don't get it! If it's "normal" then why is the oil change interval 5,000 miles? This doesn't make sense! My car runs great and everything works like it did when I bought it new, but should I be concerned? Hopefully someone has had the same issue and has a resolution for me! Please let me know!:head bang:
How do you know you are losing that 1/2 to 1 quart of oil? By how much you drain out after the oil change? If so, not all the oil drains out. It might be normal to only drain out 3.5 quarts. Also factor in the oil filter holds a certain amount of oil too.
My 2007 Camry has had an oil consumption problem for 15000 miles! I currently have around 53,000 miles on my car and every 3,000 miles, I notice a drop in the oil level.....usually between 1/2 to 1 quart. I have had it back to the dealership a couple of times now. They say there is no sign of leaking and that Toyota says it's "normal" for oil loss, and that as long as it's below 1 quart of loss before 3,000 miles, everything's fine. I don't get it! If it's "normal" then why is the oil change interval 5,000 miles? This doesn't make sense! My car runs great and everything works like it did when I bought it new, but should I be concerned? Hopefully someone has had the same issue and has a resolution for me! Please let me know!:head bang:
It's NORMAL! Just like the dealer said.
Do a search.
That's why the vehicle has a dipstick and an oil cap. You can check and add oil to your vehicle using those two things.
How do you know you are losing that 1/2 to 1 quart of oil? By how much you drain out after the oil change? If so, not all the oil drains out. It might be normal to only drain out 3.5 quarts. Also factor in the oil filter holds a certain amount of oil too.
It's probably normal, and it depends on how you drive.
This is the reason I change my oil every 4000 miles, because unlike most people who drive V6 Camrys.. my RPMs probably average around a good 2-3k higher....
ITS NORMAL. Even my car, sometimes it eats oil between oil changes, and sometimes it stays the same. Your car is hungry. Feed the damn thing and call it a day.
__________________ Do you need car parts? AdvanceSpeedShop I Am Parting Out: click! Questions about your own stupidity?: PM NJERALD
It is normal. Our 07 4 cylinder 2AZ engine uses about the same amount of oil. If you have the 4 cylinder engine it is using 5W-20 weight oil to improve fuel mileage. This is a bit thinner than the 5W-30 and 10W-30 weight oils of the past, so it will burn a bit of this lighter viscosity oil. You need not worry. Just check it every thousand miles or so and top it off as necessary.
Well, instead of whining about the dealer or the quality of the car, there are some things to check that the dealer might have overlooked. First, this started 15k miles ago, right? Was this the time that you noticed it, or was this the time that it actually started consuming oil? Had you been looking at it every thousand miles and never saw a loss and then suddenly it began losing oil?
Second, under normal circumstances, engines use varying amounts of oil. If they didn't the metals would fuse for lack of lubrication. Some use more than others. Even your lawn mower. The manufacturers specify a consumption limit and that qualtity is pretty liberal. but that's the way it is. Blame your neighborhood physicist if you can find him.
Now, figure out why it is using oil. Excess pressure in the engine is one major cause, so check the pvc valve and then make sure that the valve cover to pvc valve is clear and not plugged with gunk. If you are certain that the case is properly ventilated, then take a look at valve stem seals. The symptom for this is observed when starting the engine after a long sit. It will blow blue smoke for several seconds as the oil that has leaked down the valve stems is burned off. No huge deal. Live with it or replace the seals. If this isn't noted then go on the rings and have the compression tested. Low compression on a single cylinder could be the cause of the oil consumption but it could also be a worn and leaking valve. If compression is good and well balanced between the cylinders then it is unlikely that the rings are bad.
There is an outside chance that the oil is leaking into the coolant, so take a look at the fluid in the radiator and search for any oil that would float to the top and separate.
Finally, oil can leak out fo the engine sometimes. Look for drips under the car and look up at the engine for any traces of oil. Sometimes a leak only occurs when then engine is running so you might not have much of a drip but it might be leaking out under pressure.
Enough of a dissertation for you? My final thought is that if it has been using oil at a consistent rate for some time and it is predictable, then you can live with it or drag the engine in and have it rebuilt on your dime. Toyota won't do it under warranty unless you can show a cracked head or block.
__________________
2007 V6 Camry LE, Built TMMK 27 September 06
"People who think they know it all are particularly irritating to those of us who do."
It's probably normal, and it depends on how you drive.
This is the reason I change my oil every 4000 miles, because unlike most people who drive V6 Camrys.. my RPMs probably average around a good 2-3k higher....
That's a very interesting point as far as oil viscosity. The oil since 2006 did become thinner. I wonder if the dealer was using 5W-30 prior to 15000 miles, because 5W-20 wasn't available everywhere.
Oil consumption had become a problem with new Toyota engines that someone posted that the manual now says 600 miles per quart was considered "normal". Can't say that about any other new car however.
So what does your manual say?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Gerber
It is normal. Our 07 4 cylinder 2AZ engine uses about the same amount of oil. If you have the 4 cylinder engine it is using 5W-20 weight oil to improve fuel mileage. This is a bit thinner than the 5W-30 and 10W-30 weight oils of the past, so it will burn a bit of this lighter viscosity oil. You need not worry. Just check it every thousand miles or so and top it off as necessary.
That's a very interesting point as far as oil viscosity. The oil since 2006 did become thinner. I wonder if the dealer was using 5W-30 prior to 15000 miles, because 5W-20 wasn't available everywhere.
Makes sense, the first time I bought an oil filter from the dealer, I asked for 5W-20 or 0W-20 as the manual called for and the dealer told me that they were using 5W-30 in everything.
My first oil change I used Lucas 0W-20 and it ate a quart of oil in about 3k miles. I switched to Castrol Syntech 5W-20 and it doesn't use much oil anymore. It seems that the oil level starts to go down after about 4k miles from the oil change, which by the time I need to add oil it needs changed anyways. I check my levels every weekend and there are no visible leaks anywhere. Depending on the additives in the oil, different oils may break down at different rates and consumption may vary because of this.
__________________ 2011 Camry SE - Magnetic Gray Metallic 2011 Rav4 - Black Forrest Pearl
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
ToyotaNation.com is an independent Toyota/Lexus enthusiast website. ToyotaNation.com is not sponsored by or in any way affiliated with Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. The Toyota, Lexus and Scion names and logos are trademarks owned by Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.
Linear Mode
