Does the 2002 Corolla vapor lock?

[M2008B]

We're in the Denver area of CO.

We bought this 2002 Corolla around April of last year, from a broker who got it at an auction, with 114k miles on it. Since then, we haven't been able to figure out why it uses about 1 qt of oil about every 1000 miles. No visible leaks, mechanic checked it over, says the plugs are clean, it passes emissions fine. We figure the previous owner(s) may have not changed the oil often enough.

But last summer when the temps were in the upper 90's, it was running rough and stalling a little when at a light, after we'd driven it on the highway for awhile ( good and hot? ). It finally lit the yellow check engine light on the dash and I took it to our mechanic who read the code and said it was a misfire. It ran fine after that, since, but still uses a lot of oil.

Then it just started doing the same thing again with this summer heat, since mid-July and did a code yesterday, that turned itself off today.

Are these models known for vapor lock in real hot weather, or something?

This has been happening when the temps are in the upper 90's here.

[Bdub215]

Originally Posted by M2008B

We're in the Denver area of CO.

We bought this 2002 Corolla around April of last year, from a broker who got it at an auction, with 114k miles on it. Since then, we haven't been able to figure out why it uses about 1 qt of oil about every 1000 miles. No visible leaks, mechanic checked it over, says the plugs are clean, it passes emissions fine. We figure the previous owner(s) may have not changed the oil often enough.

But last summer when the temps were in the upper 90's, it was running rough and stalling a little when at a light, after we'd driven it on the highway for awhile ( good and hot? ). It finally lit the yellow check engine light on the dash and I took it to our mechanic who read the code and said it was a misfire. It ran fine after that, since, but still uses a lot of oil.

Then it just started doing the same thing again with this summer heat, since mid-July and did a code yesterday, that turned itself off today.

Are these models known for vapor lock in real hot weather, or something?

This has been happening when the temps are in the upper 90's here.

2 things.

1. Your mechanic lied. Sparkplugs are only clean when there brand new in the box. as soon as they see a few drive cycles, the color on the threads and the tip changes from the combustion process (way to technical for 10:30 at night).
2. the oil burning is a very common problem. do a search in this section and you will find thread after thread after thread on it.

I recommend you do a tune-up and monitor your oil level closely.

[Zembonez]

True vapor lock became a thing of the past with the advent of high pressure fuel systems. Vapor lock was caused when low pressure fuel actually "boiled" in the incoming fuel line on carbureted cars of old.

[M2008B]

How would a tune up help an oil usage problem?

Ok, it might help the stalling stuff, I suppose, but it only does that when it's in the upper 90's, leading me to think it may be caused by something else?