Incredible disappearing oil mystery - 2001 Corolla

Three months ago I purchased a 2001 Corolla with 80k on it. I have now
discovered that it burns oil to the tune of 1 quart per 200 miles.
Please consider the following facts: The car runs great. It has no oil
splatter anywhere underneath or under the hood. The parking spot is
completely free of any drippings. There is absolutely no blue exhaust
even on initial startup. Compression tests on the cylinders revealed
200 psi per cylinder (book says 145 min. 218 max.). The spark plugs
did have white ash on them but were dry and not eroded. This is mind
blowing, where is all that oil going??? 8O

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On Sat, 30 Dec 2006 20:25:13 +0000, Artesia wrote:
[color=blue]
> Three months ago I purchased a 2001 Corolla with 80k on it. I have now
> discovered that it burns oil to the tune of 1 quart per 200 miles. Please
> consider the following facts: The car runs great. It has no oil splatter
> anywhere underneath or under the hood. The parking spot is completely free
> of any drippings. There is absolutely no blue exhaust even on initial
> startup. Compression tests on the cylinders revealed 200 psi per cylinder
> (book says 145 min. 218 max.). The spark plugs did have white ash on them
> but were dry and not eroded. This is mind blowing, where is all that oil
> going??? 8O[/color]


Look around the oil pan. As I have said here before, I had two Corollas
that suffered from the oil pan loosening. Same thing: no oil-fouled plugs,
no dripping, no blue smoke, etc, but a thick sludge around the oil pan.

It only 'escapes' when there is enough pressure to force it past the
seals. So, when you're driving on the highway, you're probably leaving a
trail (ever so slight) of oil behind you...

Artesia wrote:[color=blue]
> Three months ago I purchased a 2001 Corolla with 80k on it. I have now
> discovered that it burns oil to the tune of 1 quart per 200 miles.
> Please consider the following facts: The car runs great. It has no oil
> splatter anywhere underneath or under the hood. The parking spot is
> completely free of any drippings. There is absolutely no blue exhaust
> even on initial startup. Compression tests on the cylinders revealed
> 200 psi per cylinder (book says 145 min. 218 max.). The spark plugs
> did have white ash on them but were dry and not eroded. This is mind
> blowing, where is all that oil going??? 8O
>[/color]


PCV valve?

PCV valve is fine. I will check for a sneaky oil pan leak. Keep the
ideas coming folks - I appreciate them all.

"Artesia" wrote:[color=blue]
> Three months ago I purchased a 2001 Corolla with 80k on it. I
> have now discovered that it burns oil to the tune of 1 quart
> per 200 miles. Please consider the following facts: The car
> runs great. It has no oil splatter anywhere underneath or
> under the hood. The parking spot is completely free of any
> drippings. There is absolutely no blue exhaust even on initial
> startup. Compression tests on the cylinders revealed 200 psi
> per cylinder (book says 145 min. 218 max.). The spark plugs
> did have white ash on them but were dry and not eroded. This
> is mind blowing, where is all that oil going??? 8O[/color]

I can't imagine how a quart could disappear in only 200 miles and you can't
see it coming out form somewhere -- either on the ground or out the tail
pipe.

The key to compression testing is that all cylinders be the same -- within
about 10% of each other. If you have that, then you have good rings.




"Artesia" <none@000.com> wrote in message
news:957347_4f2580e866a2480913065374bc374894@autoboardz.com...[color=blue]
> Three months ago I purchased a 2001 Corolla with 80k on it. I have now
> discovered that it burns oil to the tune of 1 quart per 200 miles.
> Please consider the following facts: The car runs great. It has no oil
> splatter anywhere underneath or under the hood. The parking spot is
> completely free of any drippings. There is absolutely no blue exhaust
> even on initial startup. Compression tests on the cylinders revealed
> 200 psi per cylinder (book says 145 min. 218 max.). The spark plugs
> did have white ash on them but were dry and not eroded. This is mind
> blowing, where is all that oil going??? 8O
>
> --
> Posted at author's request, using [url]http://www.AutoBoardz.com[/url] interface
> Articles individually verified to usenet standards. Visit URL to contact
> author/report abuse
> Thread archive:
> [url]http://www.AutoBoardz.com/disappearing-oil-mystery-2001-Corolla-Toyota-ftopict201970.html[/url]
>[/color]

"Jeff Strickland" <crwlr@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:3ICdnQEvuuLmkAXYnZ2dnUVZ_oWdnZ2d@ez2.net...[color=blue]
>I can't imagine how a quart could disappear in only 200 miles and you can't
>see it coming out form somewhere -- either on the ground or out the tail
>pipe.
>
> The key to compression testing is that all cylinders be the same -- within
> about 10% of each other. If you have that, then you have good rings.
>[/color]

I was waiting to see if anyone provided a good clue, and Hachiroku seems to
be the closest. Based on the condition of the spark plugs, compression test
results, and lack of blue smoke, I'd guess that the oil is leaking out
somewhere or getting into the coolant. Check the condition of the oil to
make sure it does not have a milkshake appearance and make sure that there
is no oil mixed with the coolant.

Look for leaks around the oil pan, valve cover gasket, head gasket, oil
filter, and crankshaft seals.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)[color=blue]
>
>
>
> "Artesia" <none@000.com> wrote in message
> news:957347_4f2580e866a2480913065374bc374894@autoboardz.com...[color=green]
>> Three months ago I purchased a 2001 Corolla with 80k on it. I have now
>> discovered that it burns oil to the tune of 1 quart per 200 miles.
>> Please consider the following facts: The car runs great. It has no oil
>> splatter anywhere underneath or under the hood. The parking spot is
>> completely free of any drippings. There is absolutely no blue exhaust
>> even on initial startup. Compression tests on the cylinders revealed
>> 200 psi per cylinder (book says 145 min. 218 max.). The spark plugs
>> did have white ash on them but were dry and not eroded. This is mind
>> blowing, where is all that oil going??? 8O
>>
>> --
>> Posted at author's request, using [url]http://www.AutoBoardz.com[/url] interface
>> Articles individually verified to usenet standards. Visit URL to contact
>> author/report abuse
>> Thread archive:
>> [url]http://www.AutoBoardz.com/disappearing-oil-mystery-2001-Corolla-Toyota-ftopict201970.html[/url]
>>[/color]
>[/color]

On Sun, 31 Dec 2006 19:00:31 -0600, Ray O wrote:
[color=blue]
>
> "Jeff Strickland" <crwlr@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:3ICdnQEvuuLmkAXYnZ2dnUVZ_oWdnZ2d@ez2.net...[color=green]
>>I can't imagine how a quart could disappear in only 200 miles and you
>>can't see it coming out form somewhere -- either on the ground or out the
>>tail pipe.
>>
>> The key to compression testing is that all cylinders be the same --
>> within about 10% of each other. If you have that, then you have good
>> rings.
>>
>>[/color]
> I was waiting to see if anyone provided a good clue, and Hachiroku seems
> to be the closest. Based on the condition of the spark plugs, compression
> test results, and lack of blue smoke, I'd guess that the oil is leaking
> out somewhere or getting into the coolant. Check the condition of the oil
> to make sure it does not have a milkshake appearance and make sure that
> there is no oil mixed with the coolant.
>
> Look for leaks around the oil pan, valve cover gasket, head gasket, oil
> filter, and crankshaft seals.[/color]


The Supra had a loose pan, too. But that's not all. A leaky valve cover
gasket makes itself quite apparent...if you have a sense of smell!

The valve cover gasket is leaking SO bad that after a run from Deerfield
to Brattlebor you could see the smoke coming out from under the hood! It
was a lot worse before I tightend the nuts (of course I went cross-cross!)
but it still is visible if you're looking...or after you get a good whiff!

That will be a project for next week or the week after...along with new
plugs and wires. The wires are corroding from the oil!

"Jeff Strickland" <crwlr@yahoo.com> wrote in
news:3ICdnQEvuuLmkAXYnZ2dnUVZ_oWdnZ2d@ez2.net:
[color=blue]
> I can't imagine how a quart could disappear in only 200
> miles and you can't see it coming out form somewhere --
> either on the ground or out the tail pipe.
>
> The key to compression testing is that all cylinders be the
> same -- within about 10% of each other. If you have that,
> then you have good rings.
>
>
>[/color]

Beg to differ with you but good compression does not always
equal good oil control. You can have stuck oil control rings w\
fully operational compression rings & therefore burn oil. Each
piston has oil control rings & separate compression rings.
dc

I also can’t imagine where 1 quart of oil would go in 200 miles and
not be able to see it. This is what drove me to make a post for the
first time in my life. Once again, all four cylinders tested out at
200 psi on the nose with proper needle climb. The best guess I’ve read
so far is the idea of a leak that only presents itself when the
crankcase pressure is up. I really need to go over this closer to look
for clues. There certainly are no obvious ones. I have excellent
eyesight and sense of smell, no blue smoke or odor. Thanks for the
time you take to reply.

"Hachiroku_$B%O%A%m%/(B" wrote:[color=blue]
> On Sun, 31 Dec 2006 19:00:31 -0600, Ray O wrote:
>[color=green]
> >
> > "Jeff Strickland" <crwlr@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> > news:3ICdnQEvuuLmkAXYnZ2dnUVZ_oWdnZ2d@ez2.net...[color=darkred]
> >>I can't imagine how a quart could disappear in only 200[/color][/color]
> miles and you[color=green][color=darkred]
> >>can't see it coming out form somewhere -- either on the[/color][/color]
> ground or out the[color=green][color=darkred]
> >>tail pipe.
> >>
> >> The key to compression testing is that all cylinders be the[/color][/color]
> same --[color=green][color=darkred]
> >> within about 10% of each other. If you have that, then you[/color][/color]
> have good[color=green][color=darkred]
> >> rings.
> >>
> >>[/color]
> > I was waiting to see if anyone provided a good clue, and[/color]
> Hachiroku seems[color=green]
> > to be the closest. Based on the condition of the spark[/color]
> plugs, compression[color=green]
> > test results, and lack of blue smoke, I'd guess that the oil[/color]
> is leaking[color=green]
> > out somewhere or getting into the coolant. Check the[/color]
> condition of the oil[color=green]
> > to make sure it does not have a milkshake appearance and[/color]
> make sure that[color=green]
> > there is no oil mixed with the coolant.
> >
> > Look for leaks around the oil pan, valve cover gasket, head[/color]
> gasket, oil[color=green]
> > filter, and crankshaft seals.[/color]
>
>
> The Supra had a loose pan, too. But that's not all. A leaky
> valve cover
> gasket makes itself quite apparent...if you have a sense of
> smell!
>
> The valve cover gasket is leaking SO bad that after a run from
> Deerfield
> to Brattlebor you could see the smoke coming out from under
> the hood! It
> was a lot worse before I tightend the nuts (of course I went
> cross-cross!)
> but it still is visible if you're looking...or after you get a
> good whiff!
>
> That will be a project for next week or the week after...along
> with new
> plugs and wires. The wires are corroding from the oil![/color]

--
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Articles individually verified to usenet standards. Visit URL to contact author/report abuse
Thread archive: [url]http://www.AutoBoardz.com/disappearing-oil-mystery-2001-Corolla-Toyota-ftopict201970.html[/url]

A quart every 200 miles (3-4 hours at speed) isn't exactly a "stream"
of oil, maybe only a drop every few seconds. My recommendation is to
warm up the car, run it while stationary at 2000 RPM or so for a minute
or two over a clean area or piece of newspaper, and see if any new oil
can be spotted leaking from the pan or somewhere else.



Jeff Strickland wrote:[color=blue]
> I can't imagine how a quart could disappear in only 200 miles and you can't
> see it coming out form somewhere -- either on the ground or out the tail
> pipe.
>
> The key to compression testing is that all cylinders be the same -- within
> about 10% of each other. If you have that, then you have good rings.
>
>
>
>
> "Artesia" <none@000.com> wrote in message
> news:957347_4f2580e866a2480913065374bc374894@autoboardz.com...[color=green]
> > Three months ago I purchased a 2001 Corolla with 80k on it. I have now
> > discovered that it burns oil to the tune of 1 quart per 200 miles.
> > Please consider the following facts: The car runs great. It has no oil
> > splatter anywhere underneath or under the hood. The parking spot is
> > completely free of any drippings. There is absolutely no blue exhaust
> > even on initial startup. Compression tests on the cylinders revealed
> > 200 psi per cylinder (book says 145 min. 218 max.). The spark plugs
> > did have white ash on them but were dry and not eroded. This is mind
> > blowing, where is all that oil going??? 8O
> >
> > --
> > Posted at author's request, using [url]http://www.AutoBoardz.com[/url] interface
> > Articles individually verified to usenet standards. Visit URL to contact
> > author/report abuse
> > Thread archive:
> > [url]http://www.AutoBoardz.com/disappearing-oil-mystery-2001-Corolla-Toyota-ftopict201970.html[/url]
> >[/color][/color]

Allow me to ask the stupid question, how do you know it lost a quart? Has it
lost a quart more than once, or did you have the oil changed, then check the
oil after 200 miles and found some missing?







"Artesia" <none@000.com> wrote in message
news:958107_7fe58dfc2620d4ecdf6145694357dc87@autoboardz.com...[color=blue]
>I also can't imagine where 1 quart of oil would go in 200 miles and
> not be able to see it. This is what drove me to make a post for the
> first time in my life. Once again, all four cylinders tested out at
> 200 psi on the nose with proper needle climb. The best guess I've read
> so far is the idea of a leak that only presents itself when the
> crankcase pressure is up. I really need to go over this closer to look
> for clues. There certainly are no obvious ones. I have excellent
> eyesight and sense of smell, no blue smoke or odor. Thanks for the
> time you take to reply.
>
> "Hachiroku_$B%O%A%m%/(B" wrote:[color=green]
> > On Sun, 31 Dec 2006 19:00:31 -0600, Ray O wrote:
> >[color=darkred]
> > >
> > > "Jeff Strickland" <crwlr@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> > > news:3ICdnQEvuuLmkAXYnZ2dnUVZ_oWdnZ2d@ez2.net...
> > >>I can't imagine how a quart could disappear in only 200[/color]
> > miles and you[color=darkred]
> > >>can't see it coming out form somewhere -- either on the[/color]
> > ground or out the[color=darkred]
> > >>tail pipe.
> > >>
> > >> The key to compression testing is that all cylinders be the[/color]
> > same --[color=darkred]
> > >> within about 10% of each other. If you have that, then you[/color]
> > have good[color=darkred]
> > >> rings.
> > >>
> > >>
> > > I was waiting to see if anyone provided a good clue, and[/color]
> > Hachiroku seems[color=darkred]
> > > to be the closest. Based on the condition of the spark[/color]
> > plugs, compression[color=darkred]
> > > test results, and lack of blue smoke, I'd guess that the oil[/color]
> > is leaking[color=darkred]
> > > out somewhere or getting into the coolant. Check the[/color]
> > condition of the oil[color=darkred]
> > > to make sure it does not have a milkshake appearance and[/color]
> > make sure that[color=darkred]
> > > there is no oil mixed with the coolant.
> > >
> > > Look for leaks around the oil pan, valve cover gasket, head[/color]
> > gasket, oil[color=darkred]
> > > filter, and crankshaft seals.[/color]
> >
> >
> > The Supra had a loose pan, too. But that's not all. A leaky
> > valve cover
> > gasket makes itself quite apparent...if you have a sense of
> > smell!
> >
> > The valve cover gasket is leaking SO bad that after a run from
> > Deerfield
> > to Brattlebor you could see the smoke coming out from under
> > the hood! It
> > was a lot worse before I tightend the nuts (of course I went
> > cross-cross!)
> > but it still is visible if you're looking...or after you get a
> > good whiff!
> >
> > That will be a project for next week or the week after...along
> > with new
> > plugs and wires. The wires are corroding from the oil![/color]
>
> --
> Posted at author's request, using [url]http://www.AutoBoardz.com[/url] interface
> Articles individually verified to usenet standards. Visit URL to contact
> author/report abuse
> Thread archive:
> [url]http://www.AutoBoardz.com/disappearing-oil-mystery-2001-Corolla-Toyota-ftopict201970.html[/url]
>[/color]

On Mon, 01 Jan 2007 19:25:24 +0000, Artesia wrote:
[color=blue]
> I also canÂ’t imagine where 1 quart of oil would go in 200 miles and not
> be able to see it. This is what drove me to make a post for the first time
> in my life. Once again, all four cylinders tested out at 200 psi on the
> nose with proper needle climb. The best guess IÂ’ve read so far is the
> idea of a leak that only presents itself when the crankcase pressure is
> up. I really need to go over this closer to look for clues. There
> certainly are no obvious ones. I have excellent eyesight and sense of
> smell, no blue smoke or odor. Thanks for the time you take to reply.[/color]

You're welcome. It's a weird problem. On one car, the sub-frame under the
engine was showing oil, but on the other, there were no signs except for a
low dipstick! But, I caught it early, having had it happen on the car I
owned right before it!

If it goes on for a while, you should see oil SOMEWHERE, on the floor pan,
the rear axle, somewhere! Have you gotten down on all fours and had a good
look underneath?



[color=blue]
>
> "Hachiroku_$B%O%A%m%/(B" wrote:[color=green]
> > On Sun, 31 Dec 2006 19:00:31 -0600, Ray O wrote:
> >
> >[color=darkred]
> > > "Jeff Strickland" <crwlr@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> > > news:3ICdnQEvuuLmkAXYnZ2dnUVZ_oWdnZ2d@ez2.net...
> > >>I can't imagine how a quart could disappear in only 200[/color]
> > miles and you[color=darkred]
> > >>can't see it coming out form somewhere -- either on the[/color]
> > ground or out the[color=darkred]
> > >>tail pipe.
> > >>
> > >> The key to compression testing is that all cylinders be the[/color]
> > same --[color=darkred]
> > >> within about 10% of each other. If you have that, then you[/color]
> > have good[color=darkred]
> > >> rings.
> > >>
> > >>
> > > I was waiting to see if anyone provided a good clue, and[/color]
> > Hachiroku seems[color=darkred]
> > > to be the closest. Based on the condition of the spark[/color]
> > plugs, compression[color=darkred]
> > > test results, and lack of blue smoke, I'd guess that the oil[/color]
> > is leaking[color=darkred]
> > > out somewhere or getting into the coolant. Check the[/color]
> > condition of the oil[color=darkred]
> > > to make sure it does not have a milkshake appearance and[/color]
> > make sure that[color=darkred]
> > > there is no oil mixed with the coolant.
> > >
> > > Look for leaks around the oil pan, valve cover gasket, head[/color]
> > gasket, oil[color=darkred]
> > > filter, and crankshaft seals.[/color]
> >
> >
> > The Supra had a loose pan, too. But that's not all. A leaky valve cover
> > gasket makes itself quite apparent...if you have a sense of smell!
> >
> > The valve cover gasket is leaking SO bad that after a run from
> > Deerfield
> > to Brattlebor you could see the smoke coming out from under the hood!
> > It
> > was a lot worse before I tightend the nuts (of course I went
> > cross-cross!)
> > but it still is visible if you're looking...or after you get a good
> > whiff!
> >
> > That will be a project for next week or the week after...along with new
> > plugs and wires. The wires are corroding from the oil![/color][/color]