[myfavecoupe]

2003 Camry with around 150k miles has been low on oil only after 2500 miles and the oil light comes on when I hit a bump.

Is this normal? Seems awfully a lot to be practically out of oil before 3000 miles

No leaks, no visible blue smoke out the exhaust

 

[kitacamry]

Oil use varies with every car.
If the light is "blinking" you should check the level physically on the oil dipstick immediately (best in the AM or after the engine's been off for a couple of hours), and fill to the upper "F" line.

Afterwards check the oil every 600 miles, or after every other refuelling, and when the level drops to the lower line on the dipstick add a quart.
Adding a couple of quarts between 6k oil changes isn't anything to worry about. It's certainly cheaper than any repair.

 

[kitacamry]

Thought I'd add.....to ask what maintenance have you done in the past 2 years/20k miles?
e.g. Have you checked changed the PCV valve/hose? An old "gunked up" valve cab affect oil consumption.

 

[myfavecoupe]

When it was purchased from a Toyota dealer the engine was only running on 3 cylinders and they traced it back to a blown head gasket and repaired that.

That was two years ago. I'm not sure if the PCV valve was ever serviced I'll have to check. But wouldn't a gunked up one cause excessive pressure to build up and blow gaskets leading to visible oil leaks or?

 

[kitacamry]

Given the gasket repair it's not very possible to determine what other repairs might have been done or what might needed to be done...or if the repair was adequately done. Yes a clogged PCV valve would cause oil and fumes to escape, but before that occurs, it just might cause increased burning of oil inside the engine.

 

[myfavecoupe]

Given the gasket repair it's not very possible to determine what other repairs might have been done or what might needed to be done...or if the repair was adequately done. Yes a clogged PCV valve would cause oil and fumes to escape, but before that occurs, it just might cause increased burning of oil inside the engine.

Checked the pcv valve and it wasn't clogged. Even cleaned it out with brake cleaner since I had it out.

 

[myfavecoupe]

What else could it be? Valve seals? Don't see any oil leaks and no visible blue smoke


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[insightbrewery]

2003 Camry with around 150k miles has been low on oil only after 2500 miles and the oil light comes on when I hit a bump.

Is this normal? Seems awfully a lot to be practically out of oil before 3000 miles

No leaks, no visible blue smoke out the exhaust

Maybe you should visit a dealership to have the oil consumption test done. It's a 4cyl, right?

 

[mcgowaw]

ISB, do you happen to know what years that bulletin and the free rebuild cover and / or is it mileage related? mine's not there yet but just in case it happens.
thanks
tony

 

[insightbrewery]

ISB, do you happen to know what years that bulletin and the free rebuild cover and / or is it mileage related? mine's not there yet but just in case it happens.
thanks
tony

Oh thanks, should have looked that up to begin with lol. Then again, I don't have a 2AZ, so yeah.

T-SB-0094-11, see attached charts.

I could swear I've seen people around here before 2007 with oil consumption issues...

 

[mcgowaw]

thanks...seems us gen5 guys are not included but i'm pretty sure i too have heard of pre 2007 2az's burning excessive oil. i don't know what toyota considers excessive nowadays but i'd think that more than half a quart between oci's should fit that definition but i'm sure it's considerably more so they don't have to rebuild all the 4 bangers made in the last 10 years.
tony

 

[Kingdom934]

Maybe you should visit a dealership to have the oil consumption test done. It's a 4cyl, right?

ISB, do you happen to know what years that bulletin and the free rebuild cover and / or is it mileage related? mine's not there yet but just in case it happens.
thanks
tony

Oh thanks, should have looked that up to begin with lol. Then again, I don't have a 2AZ, so yeah.

T-SB-0094-11, see attached charts.

I could swear I've seen people around here before 2007 with oil consumption issues...

thanks...seems us gen5 guys are not included but i'm pretty sure i too have heard of pre 2007 2az's burning excessive oil. i don't know what toyota considers excessive nowadays but i'd think that more than half a quart between oci's should fit that definition but i'm sure it's considerably more so they don't have to rebuild all the 4 bangers made in the last 10 years.
tony

The 2AZ TSB was only for the 2007-2009 engines and the hybrid. 2002-2006 was out of luck.

2002-2006 had the oil consumption issue. Also probably same for the Rav4 or the tC...even the 'XRS' corolla too with the same engine.

I drop down to the 'L' line after 2,000 miles. Usually by then I change my oil since my mentally is I do a 3K oil change and no point in adding another quart if I'm going to be changing it around ~750-1000 miles...

Gotta love the 2AZ...

 

[myfavecoupe]

So this is a known issue? What causes it?


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[insightbrewery]

So this is a known issue? What causes it?


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Piston oil return holes too small. The updated pistons have larger return holes that don't get clogged up [as fast?].

 

[myfavecoupe]

Piston oil return holes too small. The updated pistons have larger return holes that don't get clogged up [as fast?].

Ah so just have to live with it and keep adding oil between changes?

Is the oil burning off due to small oil return holes?

 

[kitacamry]

Ah so just have to live with it and keep adding oil between changes?

Is the oil burning off due to small oil return holes?

Don't know...but when Kitacam started to use oil....?!?!?no smoke, no drip!?!?!....I just started building a stash of synthetic @ $2/qt....engine is smooth and quiet and just gets topped off as needed....fortunately I don't drive more than 6k miles/year so it's not a serious issue for me....If I drove 20k/yr I'd be upset. Still, I keep a quart in the trunk.

 

[myfavecoupe]

Since I'm needing to add oil about ever 2k because it's on low at that point, does it mean I can prolong oil changes/changing filter since the same oil isn't being continuously recirculated?

 

[kitacamry]

You could, but I don't....

Adding a couple of quarts per 6k OCI still doesn't make me hesitate to change it on schedule.....I drive a LOT just around town...the fresh oil [email protected] $2/qt... just MAKES ME FEEL BETTER knowing the engine oil is getting refreshed and changed on the schedule for "severe service."

You could change the filter every-OTHER oil change I suppose if you want to save a few bucks.

Adding oil is still the cheapest "repair" to the oil consumption issue.

 

[insightbrewery]

Ah so just have to live with it and keep adding oil between changes?

Is the oil burning off due to small oil return holes?

Yes, the holes get carboned up and the pooling oil gets burned instead of returning to the sump. No, read what I wrote in reply to tony above: if your car is in Toyota's specified model year/VIN range, you can have an oil consumption test done at the dealer. If it fails, you will get a new set of pistons

 

[myfavecoupe]

Using this diagram? Would the vin match up exactly or?