Car Engine Burning Oil: Reasons and Solutions

Introduction

When a car engine burns oil, it is a serious problem that can lead to major engine damage. Oil is essential for lubricating moving parts in the engine, and without it, the engine will quickly seize up and fail.

There are a number of reasons why an engine might start burning oil, including:

Worn or damaged piston rings

Piston rings are thin metal rings that seal the space between the piston and the cylinder wall. Over time, these rings can become worn or damaged, allowing oil to leak into the combustion chamber. This is the most common cause of oil burning in engines.

Worn or damaged valve guides

Valve guides are the metal sleeves that guide the valves as they open and close. Over time, these guides can become worn or damaged, allowing oil to leak into the combustion chamber.

Sticking oil control rings

Oil control rings are designed to scrape excess oil from the cylinder walls. If these rings become stuck, they can allow oil to leak into the combustion chamber.

Excessive engine blow-by

Engine blow-by is the leakage of combustion gases past the piston rings into the crankcase. This can cause pressure to build up in the crankcase, which can force oil past the seals and into the combustion chamber.

How to fix an engine that is burning oil

The first step in fixing an engine that is burning oil is to identify the cause of the problem. Once the cause has been identified, you can then take steps to repair or replace the damaged parts.

If the oil burning is caused by worn or damaged piston rings, you will need to have the rings replaced. This is a major repair that requires removing the engine from the car. If the oil burning is caused by worn or damaged valve guides, you will need to have the guides replaced. This is also a major repair that requires removing the engine from the car.

If the oil burning is caused by sticking oil control rings, you may be able to fix the problem by adding a special oil additive to the engine. These additives can help to free up stuck rings and restore their sealing ability. If the oil burning is caused by excessive engine blow-by, you may need to have the engine rebuilt or replaced.

Conclusion

If you notice that your car is burning oil, it is important to have the problem diagnosed and repaired as soon as possible. Ignoring the problem can lead to major engine damage and costly repairs.