2005 Toyota Burning Oil

[jjbwljn2]

I have a 2005 Toyota Sienna with 59450 miles on it. It burns oil pretty badly, at a rate of 1 quart every 100 - 150 miles. Smokes badly on start up and occasionally through driving cycle engine will stumble, like a plug is getting fouled with oil. I took it to our local dealer and they are telling me it needs valve seals only (for $1976.78). They did a wet/dry compression test and said the compression in all cylinders is fine.

My questions are;
1. Does it seem possible that this much oil could be consumed solely by bad valve seals (or could it also be bad valve guides, which would not surface during a compression test - or would it)? [Don't want to pay repair cost only to find out that it will slow the consumption and that something else is still bad in the engine]
2. Does the cost to repair seem to be in line for replacing the valve seals?
3. Can the valve seals be replaced without removing the cylinder head?

Thank you.

[new echo owner]

Are you the original owner of the vehicle since new? 60,000 seems a little early for valve seals; however, the symptoms does indicate that would be the cause.

To answer your questions:
1) It is possible for the amount of oil used, but it also depends on type of driving. And compression test won't show valve seal problem, and neither would it show if the oil rings are stuck; it only proves that the compression rings are sealing. How was the vehicle being used, short distance driving? Are there any sludge build-up inside the valve covers? You may want to ask your dealer if they can use a bore-scope to look inside the front cylinders. It just might give some indication of how the cylinders are; if the crosshatch marks are missing or if the piston tops are washed down with oil, it maybe indication of major engine work is needed.

2) and 3) I am not sure about the cost but the valve seals can be replaced without removing the cylinder heads.

If you are the original owner, and because the vehicle has only 60,000 miles, I would suggest contacting Toyota and see if they will give you some assistance for the repair cost. Won't hurt asking, one can never tell.

Good Luck,

N.E.O.

[jjbwljn2]

NEO,

I am the original owner and it was mixed use, mostly around town but some longer trips as well. There is sludge built up in the engine, my mechanic told me that. He removed valve covers and cleaned it out as best he could and also removed oil pan and cleaned that out as well. Car runs better now that that was done, but still burns oil. I don't know how this happened. I changed the oil regularly, but did not keep good receipts (I have maybe half of them). I did mark the maintenance manual every time with what was done. The manual even says that warranty repairs will not be denied solely because of a lack of proper documentation. But Toyota is saying they will not cover without 11 receipts for oil and filters and that simply marking the book was not enough. I am waiting to hear back from the dealership about their conversation with the Regional Rep, but I suspect I know what he/she is going to say.

I will ask about the bore scope. Will the bore scope indicate whether or not the oil rings are stuck?

Thanks again.

[new echo owner]

The bore-scope won't tell you if the oil rings are stuck or not, but if you have excess oil on the cylinder walls or the piston top, more than what it would be from just the valve seals, that is a good indication. It means the oil rings are not doing their job properly.

By the way, don't forget the PCV valve, if it is stuck it would cause oil consumption problem too.

N.E.O.