'01 Corolla burning oil. Go, go Gadget smokescreen!

[Mr. Lahey]

Hello. I recently purchased an '01 Corolla at auction and am experiencing an oil burning issue. First some history on the car.

It has 358,000 kms now. In 2007 the previous owner had Toyota replace the engine with a used one. The mileage on the car was 257,000 kms. at the time, the used engine was from a 2003 and had 130,000 kms. So the engine currently in the car has 231,000 kms.

The only time I notice the smoke is on accelleration after decelerating with the car in gear. Example: I coasted down a long windy highway hill coming home from work the other day, with the engine in 5th gear and with no gas pedal application I kept an even pace of about 80 k for a couple of minutes. At the bottom of the hill I hit the gas and poof, I can't see anything behind me for 3 seconds. Consistently this is the only time it happens. After deceleration, like gearing down, and then hitting the gas.

Every other time, the car is fine and there is no smoke. Not while decelerating, not on startup cold or hot. So my valve guides, seals and oil control rings should be fine, the pcv valve looks ok, I look in the throttle body into the intake runners and can't find any oil residue. I am stumped.

I'm a heavy duty mechanic and I have two vehicles so I'm not opposed to rebuilding this thing myself but I would like to get this issue nailed down before I tear into it or in case there's something I'm overlooking

I'm open to all suggestions, thanks!

[Highway_maniac]

'01 = vvti = known oil burning problems. Carbon buildup because temp. buildup due to oil shortage and oil rings are no good. Rings get stuck, oil gets burnt, cylinder bore wears unevenly..

Well known problem, search the internet you'll find lots of info.

Sollutions: replace short block. oil rings have being re-designed, and new short block has move oil passages. Sometimes you can resolve issue by only replacing the oil rings, but if your cylinder bore is damaged, better get new shortblock.

[Mr. Lahey]

Thanks for your reply. I have been hesitant to blame the rings because if they were stuck or broke you would see the smoke more upon deceleration. That is what I thought anyway.

[Highway_maniac]

Originally Posted by Mr. Lahey

Thanks for your reply. I have been hesitant to blame the rings because if they were stuck or broke you would see the smoke more upon deceleration. That is what I thought anyway.

I had an oil burner (77 000km) when I bought my car. Did not smoke while driving, used about 1 litre / 1000km.

It's difficult to tell if the car burns oil due to this ring and lubrication problem. Car ran fine, no loss in power, started right up etc.

[Mr. Lahey]

I understand there's a lot of topics on the oil burning issue I have read many prior to starting this thread. So I'm curious to know from people who have had this problem, when are you noticing the smoke if you notice it at all? It has everything to do with where it is coming from, do you guys see it upon startup? accelerating? decelereating? all the time? Or is it like mine? Thanks.

[Mr. Lahey]

Ahhhh, rings.

Compression test: 185-180-180-120
Leak Down: 7%-0%-0%-37% (Spewing from dipstick tube)

Wet compression test on #4 brought it up to 140 psi. so it's definitely the rings.

Also I can get it to smoke when I rev the piss out of it at a stand still.

[Terrance1]

Do you still have the Cressida 85? Looking for a parts car. Very urgent. Thanks

[Terrance1]

Go you still have the 85 Cressida? Looking for a parts car for the for the father in law.

Thanks.