Why is engine oil consumed quickly?

High oil consumption in the engine. Main reasons and solutions

A car engine is a component that experiences high loads during operation. Any internal combustion engine needs high-quality cooling and lubrication. Good oil is the key to stable and long-lasting engine operation. But if the internal combustion engine has a malfunction, it begins to consume oil. There are several reasons. Why is there high oil consumption in the engine and what to do about it? Let's look further.

What is the norm?

When selling cars, owners often claim that the engine does not take an ounce of oil. However, there is such a thing as oil consumption due to waste. And it is typical even for new engines. Any engine (and especially a turbocharged one) will consume a certain amount of oil, since it is involved in lubricating the cylinders of the internal combustion engine. Therefore, the above beliefs of sellers are incorrect.

Thus, oil consumption is present on every car. The problem is how much it is spent. Consumption can be so low that the oil level is maintained throughout the entire 10 thousand kilometers (standard change interval).

Mechanics say that a healthy engine should not consume more than 0.25 percent of the oil from the gasoline/diesel produced. That is, per 1000 liters of fuel no more than 250 milliliters of motor oil should be burned. If the consumption is higher than this norm, this indicates a malfunction.

Third party signs

You can find out about excessive oil consumption by the color of the exhaust. If blue smoke comes from the muffler, the engine consumes a lot of oil “waste”. Trivial reasons

If the engine begins to consume more oil than usual, you should pay attention to:

Oil filter mount . The element has a rubber gasket. If the filter is not tightened enough or the seat was not cleaned of dirt during installation, lubricant may seep out.

Oil cooler tightness . If your car uses this radiator, it is worth inspecting its condition. Oil cooler tubes are often thin and fragile. They fray or bend over time. If there is damage, there may be an oil leak. After parking for a short time, traces of oil will form under the bottom of the car.

Valve cover gasket tightness . It leaks on many engines. These are the engines of Lanos, Aveo, Nexia cars. It also happens that the cover bolts are not tightened tightly. It is enough to tighten them in accordance with the recommended force. Note that an overtightened gasket will also leak. It is recommended to use a torque wrench for tightening.

Characteristics of the oil used . It can be summer, winter or all-season. If the engine is filled with too thin oil, it will leak through all the seals and gaskets, and will also penetrate into the combustion chamber through the valve stems and piston rings. You should choose oil in accordance with the season and manufacturer's recommendations. All-season can be used at temperatures from -25 to +25 degrees.

Driving style . If the internal combustion engine often spins up to high speeds, the oil pressure increases significantly. Accordingly, it begins to be squeezed out through the old seals. The car consumes more oil than it should, even though it was selected correctly. If the engine is not revved to extremely high speeds, consumption will be normal.

Why do new internal combustion engines also consume oil?

The new engine must be run-in. The surface of cylinders and piston rings is not always smooth. Therefore, some of the oil is not removed properly and remains in the combustion chamber. After break-in, consumption always decreases. This period lasts from 2 to 5 thousand kilometers. At this time, it is not recommended to turn the engine to high speeds.

More serious reasons

For what reasons can oil consumption increase:

Wear of oil scraper rings . Each piston has three rings. Two of them are compression, one is oil scraper. The latter is located at the bottom and removes some of the oil when the piston moves down. This ring has its own resource. When worn, the element will not remove excess lubricant in the required amount. Some of the oil remains in the combustion chamber. Also, do not exclude the occurrence of rings. In this case, the ring will not move in a vertical position, which also leads to high consumption.

Wear of cylinder walls . This happens over long distances (it is different for each car, but on average it is 300-400 thousand kilometers). Even with serviceable and non-coked rings, oil will penetrate into the combustion chamber. The rings will not physically be able to remove excess oil, since there are scoring marks on the cylinder walls. The deeper they are, the higher the consumption.

Valve stem seals . These are seals that are installed on the stem of each of the valves. The caps are made of elastic and heat-resistant material. Therefore, when used, the seals do not burn out and remove oil efficiently. But over the years the material becomes tougher. This is affected by both mileage and age of the car. As a result, the oil seals allow some of the oil to pass through, which, as in the previous case, enters the chamber where it burns.

Head gasket leaking . The problem also occurs on older cars. Due to the high wear of the internal combustion engine, the gasket burns out. In this case, it is possible to mix oil with coolant, but not always. Often the oil simply comes out at the junction of the block and the head.

Wear of crankshaft oil seals . There are only two of them. One is attached to the front, the second to the shank. If these seals wear out, oil will not be consumed in the cylinders. It is simply squeezed out under pressure. As a result, there are noticeable drips in the area where the engine and gearbox connect, as well as near the crankshaft pulley.

What to do?

If the engine begins to consume more oil, you need to determine the cause of the problem. You need to start small, namely check:

• Oil cooler (if provided for by the internal combustion engine design).
• Oil filter.
• Condition of valve cover and head gaskets.
• Seals for leaks.

If the oil cooler leaks, the element must be replaced with a new one. It cannot be repaired. If the oil filter is not screwed on properly, it needs to be tightened (but not overtightened - one hand is enough). If there is dirt under the rubber ring, clean the area with a rag.

It would be a good idea to check the camshaft seals. If there are greasy streaks in one part of the valve cover, this seal should be replaced. Replacing crankshaft oil seals is a more complex operation. This will require dismantling the drive belts (timing belt, air conditioning compressor, generator, power steering), or dismantling the box depending on the side of the oil seal (front or rear).

Other repair options

If no external leaks are detected, or replacing the sealing elements does not produce results, then the cause is more serious. You may need:

• Replacing oil scraper rings. The rings themselves are inexpensive, but replacing them requires disassembling the internal combustion engine (including dismantling the cylinder head and the pistons themselves). The rings are also installed using special tools, so it is better to entrust the work to experienced craftsmen.
• Replacing oil seals. The situation is similar to the previous one. The cost of valve seals is small, but replacement requires dismantling and disassembling the cylinder head. It is recommended to change all valve stem seals at once.
• Repair of cylinder walls. There are two ways - replacing the block with a new one, or replacing the sleeves. The second option is cheaper, but it cannot be used on aluminum blocks (boring is a compromise solution).

Features of oil consumption on turbocharged engines

High oil consumption is a common problem with turbocharged cars . This applies to supercharged gasoline and diesel engines. When worn, the turbine eats oil. this can be noticed by the characteristic greasy coating on one of the parts of the compressor. The reason lies in the turbine seal. It wears out due to high mileage or increased vibrations. The problem should be corrected immediately, since the turbine drives part of the oil into the intercooler. The result is unstable operation of the internal combustion engine, high oil and fuel consumption, power failures and other problems.

Problems with the crankcase ventilation system

This problem exists on both naturally aspirated and turbocharged internal combustion engines. When the engine is running, some of the exhaust gases enter the crankcase. This is a feature of any internal combustion engine. These gases then enter through the valve cover into the intake (on an internal combustion engine with a turbine, they enter the air duct in front of the cold part of the compressor). On a working engine, oil vapor should pass through the oil separator and flow back into the crankcase. But for various reasons this does not happen. A common problem is burnout of the piston fire belt. As a result, oil vapors do not have time to separate from the gases and mix with the intake air, penetrating into the intake. And if the internal combustion engine is also turbocharged, oil vapors passing through the rubber hoses begin to escape. The turbine begins to “sweat”. This is not a condemnation of the turbine at all - it is enough to clean the crankcase gas collection system, namely the oil separator ball.

Determining that the ventilation system is clogged is very simple. To do this, remove the ventilation tube and cover it with a clean rag. If after a few minutes of operation of the internal combustion engine it turns black, the system is clogged and requires attention. Treatment is to disassemble the valve cover and organize the correct drainage for the reflected oil.

Let's sum it up

So, why does high oil consumption occur:

• Wear of sealing elements (seals, caps, gaskets).
• Problems in the aggregate part (rings, cylinders).

If your car begins to consume more oil, you should not ignore this sign. Yes, the engine will work with such malfunctions, but this already indicates its wear and tear or other problems. It is also important to control the oil level to avoid starvation and use a product of the desired viscosity. You can replace oil seals or gaskets yourself, but it is better to entrust work with rings and sleeves to specialists.

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The engine oil level has dropped: why does this happen?

Many car enthusiasts, for one reason or another, do not attach much importance to periodically checking the oil level in the engine crankcase. At the same time, one of the most important conditions when operating a car is monitoring the level of engine oil in the engine crankcase.

It is important to understand that a critical drop in oil level and the consequences for a vehicle engine can be catastrophic (increased wear of engine friction components as a result of oil starvation, engine seizure and complete failure of the internal combustion engine). In this article we will look at malfunctions that cause a sharp and intense drop in the oil level in the engine crankcase, as well as ways to eliminate them.

Read in this article

Why does engine oil leak?

So, if the driver regularly monitors the lubrication level, then it will immediately be noticeable that the oil has left the engine. In this case, oil consumption is usually affected by two factors: engine oil leakage and oil burnout.

• Let's start with the most common reasons. For example, a breakdown of the cylinder block gasket occurs in the event of incorrect assembly of the engine and improper crimping of the cylinder head. The result is that the cylinder head is not evenly pressed against the cylinder block through the gasket, which leads to breakdowns in places where the cylinder head is loosened. The car owner can identify this malfunction with the naked eye by leaks of engine oil from under the cylinder head.

Also, a breakdown of the cylinder head gasket can also result in coolant entering the engine crankcase. In this case, this will be signaled by the appearance of an emulsion in the oil sump. When removing the oil dipstick from the engine crankcase, you can observe an increase in the oil level and an uncharacteristic whitish tint for oil (emulsion).

To solve the problem, it is better to deliver the vehicle by tow truck to the place of repair and replacement of the cylinder head gasket. It is also a mistake to believe that without replacing the gasket, additional tightening of the cylinder head will give results. The fact is that since the head gasket is already deformed, there will be oil leaks at the deformation sites.

A mandatory measure in this situation is to flush the lubricating lines from emulsion residues with flushing oil, after which the oil recommended by the engine manufacturer is poured into the engine.

For the information of car owners, motor oils of inexpensive brands, but with the appropriate viscosity coefficient, can be used as flushing oil. This will not cause any harm to the internal combustion engine, since the duration of operation of the engine on cheap oil is not significant, the loads are minimal, and the task of such a lubricant is to flush the engine from the emulsion. At the same time, savings on the car owner’s budget are obvious.

• Worn crankshaft oil seal (front or rear) is also a fairly common cause of engine oil leakage. This problem can sometimes be easily diagnosed by an oil puddle under the car or drips. However, in some cases, obvious leaks are not always visible without examining the lower part of the car.

The crankshaft oil seal is made of rubber, but it is not durable and is subject to various influences (elasticity is lost, wear appears, rubber is subject to mechanical wear by abrasive debris contained in engine oil, etc.). In this situation, the solution to the problem is obvious. The crankshaft oil seal needs to be replaced. It is also recommended to fill with fresh engine oil and change the oil filter.

• Oil leakage from under the oil filter gasket or from the oil filter housing is also on the list of possible causes for a decrease in the oil level in the engine crankcase. The problem arises as a result of incorrect installation of the oil filter (under-tightening or overtightening, as well as abrasive dust getting on the filter gasket). A factory defect in the oil filter is also possible (oil may leak in places where the filter housing is rolled).

• Failure of oil seals (oil seals) can also lead to a drop in the oil level in the engine crankcase. This part is made of oil-resistant rubber. Over time, under the influence of pressure and high temperatures, rubber loses its elasticity and, accordingly, ceases to function as a seal.

As a result, the tightness of the gas distribution mechanism valve seals is lost and the engine oil flowing through the leaky valve seals flows down the guides and enters the internal combustion engine cylinders. The lubricant then burns along with the fuel. Engine oil combustion products have a detrimental effect on the performance of piston parts. The problem can be resolved by replacing the valve stem seals.

• The occurrence of oil scraper rings leads to poor removal of the oil film from the inner surface of the cylinder during the piston stroke. As a result, the oil remaining in the combustion chamber actively burns out, forming coke deposits.

Such deposits lead to coking and ring formation. The result of this is a decrease in the compression level, a drop in the power of the internal combustion engine and uneven development of the working surface of the cylinders (ellipse), which entails expensive repairs with boring or lining the cylinder block, as well as the need to perform work to replace the piston rings.

Where does the engine oil go: hidden reasons

Let's start with the fact that in addition to the obvious reasons for increased lubricant consumption (oil leakage), there are also indirect ones. For example, an internal combustion engine cooling system.

In simple words, a number of malfunctions in the engine cooling system, insufficiently efficient operation of this system can also lead to the so-called “oil burn”.

The reason is that insufficient heat is removed from the engine, the engine in turn becomes “hotter”, i.e. its operating temperature is forcibly increased by several degrees and the internal combustion engine operates at the upper temperature limit.

Accordingly, being constantly exposed to extreme temperatures, the oil intensively “burns”, and the waste products clog the oil channels, reducing the efficiency of the entire engine lubrication system.

• Oddly enough, problems in the power system can also indirectly provoke increased engine oil consumption. The problem lies in the fuel injectors, which, without proper maintenance, over time begin not to spray the fuel mixture, ensuring uniform ignition in the cylinder, but pour fuel in a stream.

As a result, uneven combustion of fuel begins and increased detonation. In turn, increased detonation leads to the appearance of microcracks in the pistons and piston rings, as well as cylinders (liners). Due to these defects, oil scraper rings do not effectively remove the oil film from the working walls of the cylinders. It turns out that oil breaks into the combustion chamber with all the ensuing consequences.

What's the result?

Taking into account the above information, it becomes clear that when the first signs of an increase or obvious excessive consumption of engine oil appear, the car owner must take immediate measures to diagnose faults in the lubrication system. This approach often allows you to avoid costly repairs.

It is important to understand that an internal combustion engine (gasoline or diesel) is a complex mechanism in which one minor problem leads to more serious problems, including major repairs of the internal combustion engine.

Reasons indirectly related to the lubrication system should not be excluded. We are talking about a violation of the temperature regime, as well as problems with the fuel system, which lead to malfunctions in the operation of the internal combustion engine itself.

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The main reasons for high engine oil consumption. Why does he eat more than normal? List of complex and easy faults

Motor oil is a very serious component of any engine; without it, it would not work even a day. Lubricants are constantly being improved and become better. AT this point in time, they differ in types: mineral, semi-synthetic and synthetic, I wrote in part in this article - how often to change the oil . You can check the level using an oil dipstick (read the article - how to add oil to the engine ), if the level is normal, then there is nothing to worry about, just change it after the required number of kilometers. But what to do if the level is constantly falling? If your car’s consumption has increased or, as they say in garages, “the engine is burning oil”? There are quite a few reasons here, in this material I will try to list them all, some are easy and completely trivial, and some are complex; when they are identified, major repairs are often necessary. In general, we read, there will also be a video at the end...

THE CONTENT OF THE ARTICLE

• Complex problems with engine oil consumption
• Light faults
• Separately about oil and its waste
• Separately about turbo engines
• VIDEO VERSION

If the oil consumption in the engine has increased, and the level is constantly falling (that is, you fill in several hundred grams of oil every week), then this is very bad. This means that your power unit has a malfunction that needs to be removed urgently, otherwise it could easily “ knock .” No, of course, the engine has an acceptable lubricant consumption, usually 0.05 - 0.25% of the fuel you used. That is, if you refueled 100 liters of fuel, then the oil consumption will be approximately 5 grams. This is a valid value. There may not be any consumption if the engine is new; usually the permissible consumption is already evident in worn-out engines. But if much more than five grams of oil is consumed, it definitely needs to be looked at. The level is easy to monitor on the oil dipstick.

I divide malfunctions into complex ones (which are difficult to fix and require complex disassembly of the engine) and light ones (disassembly of the entire unit is not required). So, in our article I’ll start, perhaps, with complex faults.

Complex problems with engine oil consumption

1) Wear (overheating) of the piston oil rings . The piston of any engine has oil scraper rings; they prevent oil from entering the combustion chamber. These rings are in constant friction against the walls of the cylinder block. When they wear off, the oil begins to leak a little into the combustion chamber, burning there and leaving with the exhaust gases. Also, these rings can overheat, for example, when there is no coolant (or its level is not sufficient), the engine heats up to a critical point and these rings “lie down,” that is, they lose their elasticity and are pressed against the piston. Probably, many have seen cars that have a blue exhaust (they are rare but can be found on the roads), this indicates a malfunction of the oil scraper rings. Thus, the oil burns and its level drops ("GOR" appears). It is necessary to disassemble the engine and replace the oil rings. Quite an expensive repair.

2) Wear of the walls of the cylinder block . Another reason is wear on the cylinder block wall along which the pistons move. That is, it is no longer the rings themselves, but the wall where the pistons with oil scraper rings on them go. There is nothing you can do about it, either bore the block or change it. Also very expensive.

3) Through the valve stem seals . These are seals ; they remove oil from the running gear of the valve itself. When worn out or temperature fluctuations occur, these caps become inelastic and simply do not remove lubricant from the valves, this is another direct cause of consumption. Everything is a little simpler here, since these caps are located in the upper part, the head of the block. And to replace them, you do not need to disassemble the entire power unit. Often you only need to remove the cylinder head cover.

4) Leaking through the cylinder block gasket . By the way, it is worth noting that V8 units have two of them. This can only happen for two reasons, or a manufacturing defect, the fastening bolts were simply not tightened, it should be noted that this is a very serious defect. And second, your engine is so worn out that even the gasket is burned out. This is also more or less cheap, the gasket is located behind the head, so it is not necessary to remove the engine. Diagnosed simply, there are two options. It flows along the wall of the block - from the outside precisely from the attachment point. Or there is no external leak, but oil clots are observed in the coolant, and the level drops. Simply remove the cylinder head, change the gasket and then tighten it well.

5) Leakage through the crankshaft and camshaft seals . Another “complicated” reason for oil consumption is leaking crankshaft and camshaft oil seals. The front of the engine has a cover where the initial part of the crankshaft exits. It has a seal that can leak. Either due to wear (poor quality), or due to low temperature, or due to poor (incorrectly selected) engine oil, it will simply be squeezed out. The rear crankshaft oil seal is even more difficult to diagnose, the whole point is that the rear part is often included in the gearbox (no matter automatic or manual ), it is impossible to see it, you need to remove the “box”, but again, if the puddle is exactly under this place and If the level constantly drops, then most likely you will have to go for dismantling.

It’s the same story with the camshaft (although it doesn’t have a rear oil seal, only the front one), you can’t always see smudges, because they are covered by the timing belt (usually plastic), but smudges on the crankcase protection will make you think, also often the belt can fly off, which will result in bent valves! So there’s no point in delaying the replacement.

There is only one solution: just change the necessary seals.

Light faults

1) The oil filter is leaking . The most common type of “mild” malfunction is a leak through the oil filter. A puddle of oil will form under the car. There are several reasons for this: the oil filter was simply not tightened, its housing was torn (sometimes from low-quality manufacturers), or the gasket adjacent to the block is leaking. In any case, you need to remove and look; if necessary, it is better to buy a new one.

2) Through the cylinder block cover . The cylinder block has a cover that is secured with 6 to 12 bolts; it also has a gasket, which can also leak, due to which oil consumption will be increased. This happens due to a poor-quality gasket, either it tends to become tanned over time, or it is simply not tight enough. Try tightening the lid, if it doesn’t help you need to change it, you can read more here .

3) Engine sump . It also has a gasket, only at the bottom. It’s easier to see it, just lift the car on lifts, or just drive into the pit. It also dulls over time or from poor quality workmanship. We just change it.

Separately about oil and its waste

First, I want to tell you that engine oil waste is an absolutely normal process in the operation of any internal combustion engine; there is not a single unit in which it does not burn out. The thing is that the lubricant envelops the cylinder walls (lubricating them and increasing their service life), of course it is removed by oil scraper rings, but a part (very small in a working engine) still remains in the combustion chamber; when the combustible mixture is ignited, it burns and is removed along with exhaust gases through the exhaust system. BUT, as I wrote above, there are special average standards for this, which are certified by the manufacturer - usually 50 - 100 grams per 10,000 km, up to a maximum of 300 - 400 grams. But it happens when the oil burns much more than necessary! So why does this happen, there are logical reasons for this.

1) Bad or unsuitable oil . If everything is more or less clear with bad or counterfeit lubricant, you just “got into trouble” with a fake and it is better to replace it if it burns in liters and turns black after 500 km, without any breakdowns. But with incorrect parameters it’s a little more complicated. I would like to say that any manufacturer indicates what kind of oil can be poured into this particular device, YOU SHOULD NOT deviate from THESE RULES! If you pour too thin a lubricant, it will simply remain on the walls and burn in the chamber. If you fill it too thick, the film that will form on the walls will be too thick; by the way, it may cause increased wear of the rings.

Remember - be sure to select lubricating fluids exactly according to the recommendations of your manufacturer, they give them for a reason, “out of the blue”, everything is calculated at the production level. And you will be surprised how your consumption will drop!

2) Severe operating conditions . This is usually the name given to the operation of a power unit at high speeds! For example, you like to rev the engine to the limit, and the higher the speed, the higher the oil consumption. Simple physics is at work here, the speed is high, the temperature rises more than necessary, the lubricant becomes thinner and more remains in the combustion chamber.

Temperature also plays a role; in winter, more oil is consumed in the engine than in summer. It becomes thick and unable to form a normal film during the first few seconds or minutes of operation. That is why it is advisable to warm up the engine in cold weather, without load , for several minutes, because there is increased wear on the rings and walls of the cylinder block. I recommend changing the oil before winter, because it loses its properties with high mileage.

Separately about turbo engines

It's no secret that turbocharged engines consume more oil than conventionally aspirated ones (by the way, which is better - we talked here ). The thing is that old turbines are cooled precisely from the engine lubrication system, and if the turbine is broken, it can drive oil through its bearings, and the consumption can be quite large, about 1 - 3 liters per 10,000 kilometers, and in in case of malfunction much more.

Also, if the turbine malfunctions, increased crankcase gas pressure may occur. Thus, oil can enter the cylinders directly through fuel injection from the crankcase ventilation system. The turbine definitely needs to be replaced or repaired.

I wrote a lot, and as you can see, the reasons are not always clear-cut; each individual case must be taken into account.

Now let's watch a detailed video.

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Causes of high engine oil consumption that need to be addressed urgently

Increased consumption of lubricants can seriously alarm the owner. Well, did the cylinder coating “tear up”? We hasten to reassure you that there can be many reasons for oil consumption and not all of them are costly.

Some of the horror movie scenarios “where does the butter go” are not at all fatal and end with a happy ending. Others are actually fatal and are clear signs of the need for repair or, if this is not possible, replacement of the engine.

Incorrect oil

Let's start with easily removable reasons. One of them is not quite suitable oil, the use of which causes increased waste. There is a similar example in our personal practice: a middle-aged Volvo with a working “turbo-five” (even compression in all cylinders, a turbocharger in good health, no leaks through the seals) spent clearly above the norm and, as they say, out of the blue - with a calm driving style.

Shutterstock/VOSTOCK Photo

What was surprising was that its parameters corresponded to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Switching to oil with increased high-temperature viscosity completely solved the problem. As an experiment, the choice fell on the products of another, more well-known and well-established brand. However, we will not exclude the possibility of a decrease in oil waste on products of the same brand, but with a higher viscosity.

Valve stem seals

Another reason for oil “burning”, which has a relatively easy solution, may be hidden in worn valve stem seals, which are located on the valves and prevent oil from entering the combustion chamber.

Over time, the seals “tann”, that is, they lose elasticity and begin to leak lubricant. There is nothing wrong with replacement - the caps are essentially consumables.

Leaking through seals and gaskets

Over time, oil can begin to leak through the seals, for example, leaving the engine by finding loopholes in the front crankshaft seal. This can happen for a variety of reasons. For example, with a high mileage of the car, when the internal part of the oil seal wears out due to vibrations of the crankshaft, long-term downtime of the car and, as a result, a dry or “hardened” part, or its poor quality or improper installation.

A leaking oil seal can damage the timing belt and must be replaced. The rear seal of the crankshaft or camshafts may leak, or it may ooze from under the valve cover or engine pan gasket. It should be remembered that dust and dirt are guaranteed to accumulate at the leak site, making its source noticeable, or after parking you will see oil drops or even a puddle on the asphalt after parking.

Crankcase ventilation system

One of the common reasons not only for oil burnout, but also for all sorts of unpleasant problems is a contaminated crankcase ventilation system. There is an explosive mixture in the engine sump - vapors of unburned fuel, gases, water particles and oil mist. All this has the most negative effect on the condition of lubricants. A crankcase ventilation system that removes excess gunk not only extends oil life, but also reduces crankcase pressure that can force oil out and reduces emissions.

If it ceases to perform its functions, then the increasing pressure in the crankcase can squeeze out the oil dipstick with quite predictable consequences. Surprises come from a stuck or clogged valve, which regulates the pressure of gases entering the intake and provokes an oily appetite.

Turbocharger oil consumption

The boost system is a thing! Modern installations, as is common nowadays, make the nature of the unit flexible - the “shelf” torque is achieved in a fairly wide speed range, which is convenient for driving. But at the same time, the complex design operates in extremely extreme temperature conditions, places its own demands on the oil, and itself can consume it due to design features and in the event of malfunctions. The bearings are lubricated by engine oil, which means they are very sensitive to a drop in its level. When the volume of lubricant decreases, the turbocharger bearings begin to run dry and the boost runs the risk of failure.

Significant oil consumption can be observed when the “snail” malfunctions, namely, when the shafts and bushings, which are fitted very tightly to each other, so as not to leak lubricant, are worn out. But as the gap increases, the oil will flow through the “cold” compressor part of the turbine to the inlet. The reason for the excessive appetite may be increased vacuum at the inlet, which will suck oil from the turbine.

Oil getting into the cooling system

Above we have listed some unpleasant, although not fatal, reasons for increased consumption of lubricants. The main thing is not to start. And now the scenarios are more serious and dramatic. For example, oil getting into the cooling system. Spots on the surface of the antifreeze in the expansion tank should be seriously alarming: coolant and oil are in different systems and mixing means a leak, which with a high probability can mean further engine failure.

Why did this happen? Probably due to a blown head gasket, damaged cylinder head, faulty cooling system pump or, say, oil cooler.

Piston ring wear

Rocker smoke from the exhaust system under load often hints at critical wear of the rings in the engine - they can no longer remove oil from the cylinder walls, and it breaks into the combustion chamber, where it is burned along with the fuel-air mixture.

Other symptoms include decreased power, increased fuel consumption, and blackened spark plugs. In this case - only repairs.

Seizures on cylinder walls

For dessert, let’s touch on a topic that is the worst nightmare of not only adherents of the Porsche Cayenne and Mercedes-Benz S600 Biturbo, but also other motorists, for example, owners of Hyundai and Kia with a supercharged G4KD gasoline engine. The surface of the cylinders with scoring grooves is guaranteed to mean high oil consumption and “getting” into major and costly repairs with liner replacement or even replacement of the cylinder block.

The trigger for the appearance of scuffing is the absence of an oil film on the cylinder walls and metal-to-metal friction. Another question is why this happens. The reasons may be different, for example, oil starvation, reduced oil pressure, “sporty” driving style, low-quality oil or oil that does not meet its characteristics, or has lost its properties.

High engine oil consumption: possible reasons

Probably every car enthusiast has encountered such a problem as high oil consumption in the engine.

It doesn’t matter whether the car is new or old, expensive lubricant or average, it happens that the engine literally eats oil.

But why this happens and what can be done to reduce consumption is sometimes quite difficult to understand.

Increased engine oil consumption is a serious problem, which in turn can be a symptom of more serious damage. Let's talk in detail about the possible causes of this phenomenon, how you can track and identify the problem, and also find the reasons for oil consumption in the engine.

General provisions

Strictly speaking, the fact that the engine takes oil is a normal part of its operation. Do not forget that fuels and lubricants lubricate working surfaces, including the walls of the combustion chamber. This reason for spending is completely natural and not unhealthy.

In order to check the lubricant level in the engine, you need to use the dipstick, which is located under the hood of the car and looks like a ring at the top of a small extension. It is necessary to release it, remove it from the engine, and look at the level of lubricant covering the scale at the end of the dipstick. By taking a series of measurements over a certain period of time, you can understand how much oil the engine consumes.

It’s normal if you add 1 liter of oil every 3-4 thousand kilometers. If you fill in a new liter every week or month, you can say with confidence that the engine is burning oil.

Don't worry too much. A car is a mechanism, and any breakdown in it must be repaired.

Possible causes and ways of oil loss

There are several main reasons why grease disappears like water. No need to worry, all of them can be fixed, quite easily and not expensively, except in special cases. Lubricant may leave the engine for one of the following reasons:

• Engine wear. This is one of the most important reasons for oil loss. Old engines with high mileage, on the eve of a major overhaul, if appropriate, practically “spill” oil into the combustion chamber, due to the fact that the gaps between the piston rings and the walls of the combustion chamber are greatly increased as a result of wear. In this case, special additives sold in stores can reduce oil consumption;

It is important to know how compression additives work. Let's consider the general principle of their action using the example of oil additives Resurs and Remetal, St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg companies. These additives consist of a suspension of tiny copper particles in spindle oil. Particle sizes are measured in nanometers.

And here the same principle is used as in Soviet refrigerators, where the system restores itself. Metal particles are deposited on hot surfaces, closing the gaps between the rings and the piston, and reducing the overall clearances between parts.

All this allows you to increase compression and make the engine consume much less oil. They are not expensive, but they need to be refilled every time the lubricant is changed, as well as when topping up, in smaller portions.

• Incorrectly selected lubricant. One of the reasons why the engine began to consume oil was simply the wrong choice of oil. It is difficult to argue with the fact that oil that is suitable for a Gazelle should not be poured into a Mercedes;

You need to remember: there are engines that are initially designed for a certain oil viscosity, say, at least 40 points. And when filling them with synthetics, you shouldn’t ask yourself how to reduce oil consumption, because the answer is obvious: use the lubricant recommended by the manufacturer. It is written about in your car’s passport and in its operating instructions.

Such a complex unit as an internal combustion engine consists of a combination of many engineering systems, each of which is built to its own specific parameters. You should not violate their integrity by pouring oil into the internal combustion engine that is not intended for it.

• A leak. Another obvious factor that is not difficult to check. Oil stains form under the car after parking, which means the problem is obvious and you shouldn’t look for it elsewhere. It is necessary to replace the oil seals, this will immediately help reduce lubricant consumption in the engine;

Please note: There are many seals and gaskets in an internal combustion engine. The lubricant will not necessarily leak out. Check the appearance of the unit for leaks and carbon deposits.

Operating a car for a long time without maintenance can also lead to leaks. Carrying out maintenance and replacing all gaskets will reduce oil consumption. Check all weak points; the leak may be due to a loose fit of the car’s oil filter; you may just need to change it, or the O-ring, between the filter and the engine.

• Low quality lubricant. Oil from dubious sources, without certificates, or purchased externally cannot be good. It is necessary to check the purchased product for compliance with quality; in addition, you can only buy fuels and lubricants from authorized dealers. This simple step solves half of the problems of novice car enthusiasts;

Useful advice: how to protect yourself from counterfeiting. Pay attention to the shape of the canister; check what shape the canister is on the manufacturer’s website. Before you buy it in the store.

The shape of the canister is the level of protection. Because canisters from global manufacturers are very difficult to counterfeit due to their complex shape. You can also ask for a certificate for motor oil and a diploma from an official representative. In high-level service stores, this issue will not raise any complaints and all necessary documentation will be provided upon request. If the seller refuses to show documents, you should not buy a dubious product.

• You also need to remember that an aggressive driving style leads to high oil consumption; at high speeds it literally “flies down the drain.” Whether the car owner should adjust his driving style or put up with high oil consumption is up to him to decide. But the fact remains a fact. Aggressive driving wears out the engine and increases fuel consumption.

Some machines, for example from Japanese manufacturers, that use low-viscosity synthetic lubricants require constant topping up, and this is normal for them and is part of their work. After all, they constantly operate at high speeds, and the oil channels of such cars are much smaller than those of standard passenger cars.

Large truck engines, on the contrary, require high oil viscosity, and as a result, it practically does not leave the system. As for passenger cars, everything is individual and depends on the age, mileage, and general condition of the car.

General Tips

A car, like any mechanism, loves attention. Monitor the replacement intervals for technical fluids and fuels not only in the crankcase, but also in other components of the car. Replace them in a timely manner, remembering to use flushing compounds if necessary. Do not overload the engine when operating within the specified range.

Monitor the quality of what you pour into your car, and you can be completely sure that you will not face such a problem as the mysterious disappearance of oil.

A responsible car owner knows everything about his vehicle and constantly controls what and how happens in the engine of his car. If you don’t give a damn about your vehicle, the answer won’t take long to arrive, and the mechanic at the car service center will grab his head and tell his friends about you.

Final word

We examined only the most obvious reasons why the engine eats oil, trying to present them simply and clearly. After all, more complex reasons require serious repairs, diagnostics and possibly disassembly of the engine, and you certainly cannot give simple advice on what to do in such a situation. One thing can be said for sure: if the engine consumes a lot of oil and the reasons are not obvious, you should contact a service center and get diagnosed.

Remember that the car is the personal responsibility of the owner, and do not forget to carry out maintenance and observe the replacement intervals for all fluids of the unit in order to receive only stable and reliable operation in return.