Excessive oil use

JEFF HERMAN

MEMBER
2002 TOYOTA CAMRY
2.4L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
180,000 MILES

My car listed above (XLE model) is using about a quart every thousand miles or less. Other than the recall for new pistons and rings is there anything that can de-sludge the oil control ring? Should I or can I switch to a heavier oil?

Monday, October 7th, 2019 AT 4:53 PM

7 Replies

DANNY L

MECHANIC
5,648 POSTS

Hello, I'm Danny.

Considering that piston and ring repair is a major engine overhaul I would say changing to a heavier oil viscosity is about all you can do as a band-aid. You might also want to consider those high mileage oil additives at your local auto parts stores. Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.

Danny-

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Monday, October 7th, 2019 AT 5:19 PM

JEFF HERMAN

MEMBER
439 POSTS

I was considering one of the oil additives that might clear the sludge from the oil control ring. It is also possible that my oil consumption is a plugged PCV valve or bad seals around the spark plugs. Have you heard of this vehicle eating oil? I know there was a repair offered by Toyota but my car is not within the mileage or age. I just bought this vehicle. Can I run 10-W-30 or do I have to sick with a 5 weight like 5-W-15?

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Monday, October 7th, 2019 AT 6:03 PM

DANNY L

MECHANIC
5,648 POSTS

Hello again.

Unfortunately the PCV valve or loose spark plugs will not affect the oil consumption. The rings being worn is what is burning the oil in the combustion process. Having the rings replaced is a major engine rebuild costing a lot of money. You might want to try a high viscosity oil like you stated (5w-15w) to help aid in the oil consumption or off the shelf oil additive. Hope this helps and thanks again for using 2CarPros.

Danny-

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Monday, October 7th, 2019 AT 9:47 PM

JEFF HERMAN

MEMBER
439 POSTS

I was just stating what I have read online, but I know this is Toyota's misdesign of the drain holes behind the oil control ring. Wishful thinking on my part. Lol

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Tuesday, October 8th, 2019 AT 3:03 AM

DANNY L

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5,648 POSTS

Yeah, That's a bummer! Just be sure to keep monitoring the oil level. 180,000 miles isn't too much. I guess it just depends how much longer you want to keep vehicle and adding oil. Thanks again for using 2CarPros.

Danny-

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Thursday, October 10th, 2019 AT 3:31 PM

JEFF HERMAN

MEMBER
439 POSTS

Hi, I read the plugs and they are perfect in color. I can't believe the rings are bad if the plugs are not black. Is it possible to burn oil and have the plugs so clean? Where else can the oil be consumed? I also switched to 10-W-30 and the consumption seems to be less.

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Tuesday, November 26th, 2019 AT 6:42 PM

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

Hi. Can you submit some pictures of the plugs? IF they were recently changed before you bought them they will look a little brown for quite a while. You can put about 25,000 to 30,000 miles on plugs before they start looking really black with the amount of oil you are burning. However, do you see blue smoke?

Oil can only go one of three places for the engine to lose oil. Leak outside the engine, the cooling system, or into the combustion chamber. So if they plug truly is not showing any sign of oil then it would have to be going somewhere else.

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