I just got a 2000 Corolla from my sister. It's only problem is that for the past couple of years it burns quite a bit of oil, up to 1 quart every 300 miles during continuous interstate driving conditions, with ~half quart consumption during every 500 miles of normal driving (50/50 city and highway)
Basically my questions are...
1. Would using a synthetic and/or high mileage oil help slow oil consumption?
and...
2. Is there any way (either better oil ^ or engine repair) to bring the engine back down to normal consumption levels or is it always going to burn oil at those amounts from here on regardless?
At that level of oil consumption - nothing short of rebuilding the engine will stop that much oil consumption.
Switching to a synthetic or high mileage motor oil (many are synthetic blends + additional additives) - may help reduce how much oil it will consume - but that will be highly dependent on the condition of the engine internally. Just by design, synthetic motor oil are much more stable at higher temps, resisting high temperature oxidation. That should really help out at highway speeds - but it depends on how much damage the engine already has.
As for the original cause for oil consumption - hard to say without further diagnostic work. The most common cause are stuck/damaged piston rings, leaking valve seals, and distorted cylinder bores. I assume that other items have already been checked out - PCV system getting clogged is pretty common on many cars. If plugged up - the car will suffer too much pressure internally, that could lead to massive increase in oil consumption. Checking the topend for heavy deposits/sludge, especially if the car hasn't seen too many oil changes (at the current rate of oil consumption - almost like getting a continuous oil change).
Resist the temptation to run a much heavier grade of motor oil. I wouldn't recommend running anything heavier than a 10w-30 in your car. Even in higher ambient temps - the engine clearances internally won't see as much oil, if it is too heavy. The 30 weights are a good compromise of protection and economy. Heavier is not always better - the quality of the motor oil you put in has a greater influence on engine protection.
2. Is there any way (either better oil ^ or engine repair) to bring the engine back down to normal consumption levels or is it always going to burn oil at those amounts from here on regardless?
From other threads on this topic, the problem is that Toyota chose undersized pistons and oversized rings to compensate. You could switch to proper sized pistons, but the cost of having someone do that for you might be close to swapping in a new engine from another 8th or 9th Gen anyway.
From other threads on this topic, the problem is that Toyota chose undersized pistons and oversized rings to compensate. You could switch to proper sized pistons, but the cost of having someone do that for you might be close to swapping in a new engine from another 8th or 9th Gen anyway.
Is there a link or more information on this - smaller pistons and oversized rings? I've heard it a couple of times on different places, but I've looked inside a few 1ZZ-FE (some oil burners, some not) and that doesn't seem to be the case.
Is there a link or more information on this - smaller pistons and oversized rings? I've heard it a couple of times on different places, but I've looked inside a few 1ZZ-FE (some oil burners, some not) and that doesn't seem to be the case.
Damn you and your evidence!
I'm just perpetuating the rumor. I'd love for someone to actually take apart an oil burning engine, with photos of every step along the way, and deduce exactly what's really causing the oil burning problem, and then step-by-step how to fix it.
Thanks for the feedback (helpful as usual on TN.com)
Any ideas on how an oil leak like this could effect the car's longevity? I found some links off Google that said their E110 Corolla's have problems either stalling in traffic or even the engine locking up, both occurring on vehicles with only 80,000+ miles. If I keep it filled and change the oil enough should it keep rolling past 200,000 miles?
I'm just perpetuating the rumor. I'd love for someone to actually take apart an oil burning engine, with photos of every step along the way, and deduce exactly what's really causing the oil burning problem, and then step-by-step how to fix it.
That's cool, just curious - more info, the better people can figure out what is causing this. I'm kicking myself for not taking pics of some of those engines when they were broken down. Maybe when I run across another to play with - I'll remember to document it as much as possible.
Quote:
Originally Posted by noodlesoup
Thanks for the feedback (helpful as usual on TN.com)
Any ideas on how an oil leak like this could effect the car's longevity? I found some links off Google that said their E110 Corolla's have problems either stalling in traffic or even the engine locking up, both occurring on vehicles with only 80,000+ miles. If I keep it filled and change the oil enough should it keep rolling past 200,000 miles?
Just keep pouring in oil - the engine only holds about 4 quarts - so running down a quart or two will really accelerate the oil consumption issue. As for engine problems, the more oil you burn in the combustion chamber, will mean more deposits left behind. In some cases, the deposits get so bad, they completely clog the inside of the engine. Most usually never get that far - usually will clog the catalytic converter before it gets to that point.
Will it make it to 200K miles, depends on how much it has now. Like they say YMMV, an oil burner could level off its oil consumption and run for 100K miles, no problem. Another might run a week and through a rod or have a piston seize in the bore. Most cases of catastrophic engine damage is due to lack of oil - ie, the oil leaked out all at once, or they didn't keep a track of the oil levels.
There is a low oil pressure light indicator in the car. Once you see that light up - you're in trouble. As long as that doesn't come on and you keep the oil topped off - under most conditions, the car should hold up a good while. Keep in mind, the car has a problem, by ignoring, it will not go away. But the car might holdout long enough to when you feel like it is time for a new/newer car.
Hello. If you have 1zz or similar #zz engine then your problem is in pistons and rings. This is well known issue of this engine. about 90% of 1zz from 98 to 2005 has this problem. Pistons has only 4 oil channels. In 2005 toyota make 8 of them in each piston and design new oil rings, so you need engine rebuild. Unfortunately TOYOTA do not like to talk about this problem so you must rebuild engine by yourself. Prepare $5000 and buy new short block, pistons, rings and ets. Or buy a new engine. Minimal job is replace just pistons and rings but in this case your will just hide the oil problem for 50.000 miles or less. Welcome to TOYTA OIL'S HELL! Check “1zz-fe oil” in Google and you will find many interesting staff about people with same problem as your. As I said Toyota forgot about people with 1zz, so you can only sell your car or buy a new engine. Sorry for bad english.
I have a 2002 Corolla S with 110,000 miles. I'm having the same issue. However, my car burns one qt. every 100 miles. I always have to check oil when I do a gas fill up.
Debating on whether to get rid of the car or get something newer. Not enthused about shelling out the $2500 minimum to get the rebuild done. But I don't want a car payment either. I guess $2500 is better than $300-$400 mo./4-5yr.
Last time I had it in they did a compression check and all was good.
If you check compresion it will be 12-14. If it more then 10 prepare for repair. If your car burns one qt. every 100 miles you need the short block (may be). Fist you need to check the short block walls
Have a look on this image - this short block have mirrors on walls and need replacecment.
As I said the problem is in pistons. Normally the piston have aprox 12 small holes in the pistonring gab.
Toyota forgot about them and made 4 small holes.
in 2005 they start to produce new pistons with 8 bigger holes.
Some people do not change short block. They change only "cylinders" (I don't know how to translate whis word - it's black metal cylinders inside block). it's cheaper but I'm not shure where you can make this operation. In Russia about 90% of peoples have "second hands" cars so services provide this operation. My previous car was with 900.000 miles and engine was rebuild 3!!! times.
When I contacted Toyota and ask replacement in Toyota's service they say that my problems are my problems and I need to pay for short block or buy new engine. Thank you Toyota for wonderful engine. My car have only 70.000 miles. I'll never buy Toyota again because I'm not belive in new engines and in new cars. May be next time I will need to change something else and pay again. No more money for Toyota experiments. Sell your car as I do and forget about problems. Buy somethin else excepts Toyota.
timedrops, I've got the same oil burning problem, about a quart of oil for about 1000-1500 miles. I started the puppy up, sounded like the lifters were clacking. Shut it off, checked the oil, needed a quart. My car ain't worth 5K for an engine, I'll just keep a couple of quarts of 10-30 in my trunk till the car blows up.
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