head gasket problem?
2006-08-28 02:48:12 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
It could be a head gasket problem but that would be unusual. It's more likely a leaking valve stem oil seal that is letting a little oil get into a cylinder, where it is burned. It could also be a leak that drips oil as the car is driven.
Check the spark plugs and see if one has more crud on it than the others. That's a good indication that some oil is being burned. You only see clouds of oil smoke behind a car when the situation is REALLY bad, not when there is minor burning. I had a 1987 Audi that used a quart of oil every 500 miles but never smoked.
2006-08-28 02:56:29 · answer #1 · answered by pvreditor 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can sometimes, but not always see the oil residue somewhere on the engine block if a gasket is leaking.
A couple of years ago, I took a family members' 2002 Malibu to a gas station that I knew did car inspections for prospective purchasers of used cars. I said I was thinking about buying the car, and they did a really good inspection for about $35. They pointed out the gasket leak, which was not a head gasket, but which nonetheless was making the engine burn oil. Armed with this knowledge, and a few buzzwords from internet research, I was able to negotiate a very cheap repair at a car dealer's garage. So, my point is, it can be worthwhile to get an impartial diagnosis.
2006-08-28 09:54:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, and it's ending up in the cooling system. Check it to see if it's white.
2006-08-28 10:09:17 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why guess? Take it to a mechanic.
2006-08-28 09:58:24 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋