I've had my car for about 9 months now, and just found this site recently, thanks alot guys you've answered so many of my questions, your really a credit to all 2G owners. I've already checked the FAQ's,and things that have already been asked, and havn't found my answer yet, so please don't flame me if it's in there somewhere. So why do our cars burn oil? Im about a month away from my 3 month change (I don't drive 3k in 3 months) and Im already about 2 quarts low. I have a 95 GS with 68K miles. I bought the car from a dealership, but contacted the previous owner (ALL maintenance records were in the glove box). She said she always took it to the dealer to get it serviced, and never checked the oil level. Mobile 1 synthetic has been used since 60K, all routine work was done on time, and no smoke, weird smells, or leaks. It just seems like 2 quarts is alot to go through in 2 months. Any help would be appreciated.

I dont know if there is any truth to this, but I believe synthetic oil burns off faster than conventional oil. I go through about a quart between oil changes. From what i have heard that is completely normal. Also, when you dont drive as much, the oil can break down faster. Thats why people will recomend to change oil every 3 months, or every 3000 miles. Just make sure you dont get any blue smoke out the tailpipe, and maybe even do a compression test to see how the motor is doing. With using synthetic oil, and not driving the car much, i'd say you have nothing to worry about.

>conventional oil. I go through about a quart between oil changes

yep, i use conventional oil and burn bout a quart. seems normal for a "sports car".

That's odd. Maybe I have a freak car but I don't burn any oil, if I burn any at all, it's not noticable.

i was wondering this as well, i lost 3/4 of a quart, my mind is at rest now.
later
chris

My 99 burns about a quart of oil in 3,000miles, when i first noticed it i was pissed. So its normal! I wouldent worry about it.

it may be common.. but it is NOT normal. those engines are NOT supposed to burn oil. it's probably from blow by on the rings, or sepage down the valve guides.. or something like those lines. but in plain jane gas motors, oil burning is NOT supposed to happen, if it is, there is a problem. whether it happens alot or there is something you can do about it, I don't know.
but 2quarts low in 2months is alot.. is there a puddle under you car? cause i'd think you'd be seeing smoke out the tail pipe atleast sometime.. probably mostly on startup.. next time ya fire the car up when ya haven't driven it for a bit, have a friend start it and watch the exhaust. there is a good chance you'll see smoke.
I just remembered, you could be getting excessive blow-by on the crankcase breather system and into your intake. but that'd probably take alot of blow-by.

Mine goes through about 2 quarts in 3 months. I dont drive my car all that much mainly on the weekends and to school and back durning the week. No smoke at all comes out the exhaust when i start it up (had my dad start it and watched), there is no oil under the car, no oil in the engine bay, and no oil in the intake (i took it off and made sure i wasnt getting any in there. So what is it. Car runs like a champ, no hesitation, no funny sounds, nothing. Any ideas?

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My car has 107k on it and it does the same thing.And guess what? my head gasket spews oil on the backside.You might want to check it out.

My car uses about a quart between changes. From what I understand this is "normal", but I still don't think it should like Breezio said.

>My car has 107k on it and it does the same thing.And guess
>what? my head gasket spews oil on the backside.You might
>want to check it out.

There was a problem with the early head gaskets. I can't remember off hand if it was a recall or just a TSB, but they came out with a thicker MLS head gasket to fix the problem. I believe it was caused by a defect in the block. One of the holes for the head bolts wasn't drilled deep enough in earlier models, so the head couldn't seal properly. I'm sure someone else on here knows wether it's a recall or a TSB and will be glad to tell you. I THINK it's a recall but I am not sure on it. If it is take it back and have them change the head gasket, that should take care of your leak.

-Nate



________________
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I have a 95 ESi, and I go through about 2 quarts in the 3000 miles and 3 months, no leaks, no blue exhaust, etc... My one friend said that it could be because of the DOHC setup that we have that causes the oil to burn there. Ever notice that when you take your oil cap off there is smoke???? cams on valves (or whatever they hit) is what could be causing the oil loss, and when revving higher for longer times seems to make sense in more lost oil.

ummm, mine doesn't burn oil, 99 gs with 28 k miles

by the way.. my zx2 is as full when I change the oil as it was when I filled it up from the last change.

My car burns oil as well. It's my car's hobby I think... I'm getting a new motor so I'm not to concerned about it. I just roll through Jiffylube about once every two weeks and get it topped off. I have absolutely no oil leaks anywhere, none in my intake...no air puffing from my dipstick tube...none in the intake and good compression. The thing just burns oil.

I dont burn oil, 96 rs with 95k :thumbsup

If your car is burning a quart or two of oil, then you have a problem (I'm not saying its major, just saying its not right). Our engines are not supposed to burn a noticeable amount of oil. You could have a bad head gasket, leaking valve guides, or worn rings (or something weird). 1995's were pretty bad for head-gasket leaks. Get someone to check that out if you can't see any visible oil on the back of the block (driver side). A compression test may be in order too. Or you can just accept it and keep driving (and checking oil level).

My 1995 ESI w/ 65k doesn't burn any oil (and its been boosted for 2 yrs).


Corbin

'95 ESI-T
HRC+FMIC+ETC...



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i agree w/ corbin. my 97 doesn't burn any oil, BUT i did used to go through about a qt of oil every 3k miles or so. i thought it was just common oil consumption, but i ended realizing my HG was leaking(satan fixed under warranty) and after that it was still using oil. i inspected the whoe block and found 2 leaky sensors(cam and crank shaft sensors) the cam sensor is easy to see if it's leaking, b/c it's right in front, but i really had to inspect the block good and get up under it to see that the crank sensor was leaking. the gaskets on are cars just suck(hg, sensor gaskets, etc.) after i repplaced 'em and used some black RTV all was well. haven't use any oil since. i almost wich it would use a lil, cuz i overfilled it last oil change :P . i really think what is believed to be oil consumption by burning or whatever, is usually just small leaks, that DON'T show up on the ground under the car.

Oil consumption is common to many cars and is normal but if it consumes to much you should check it out. But oil consumption is from oil burning and not from leaks unless you do see any leaks in the floor or in the head gasket. I have read that it depends on the heat outside and how you drive your car and also the weight of the oil. I am using 5w-30 and I am thinking on switching to 10w-30 if it is still consuming oil. The thicker oil should make it harder for the heat to burn the oil. I live in sunny southern Cali and I drive to work going 80mph for about 25-30 minutes mon-fri. So I dont think I have a problem.



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yes oil consumption is normal. I don't think your burning that much. 1 quart a month is that bad. Do you run your car really hard like redline that sucka all the time? You could be blowing it out of your crankcase breather and burning it up if yu don't got a catch can.