Do older cars burn more oil or is it lost?

Question

I have a 2003 Jeep Liberty and it has been 6000 miles per oil change and only darkened its oil. but I have a 98 Honda Civic that has been consistently going dry at about 4000miles per oil change. Why is this, do the seals leak or is there potentially another problem (warped piston, etc...)

Answer 1

Your Honda is most likely burning the oil. Before catalytic converters, you used to see blue smoke from the tailpipe, especially during start-up or hard acceleration. Modern catalytic converters mask this symptom as everything is burned in the catalytic converter.

Have a compression check done on the engine. An engine service manual should tell how much compression there is supposed to be.

To see if it is leaking, first look under the car and see if you can spot any evidence of a leak.

Another neat trick is to place a piece of white poster board on the floor under the engine. Make a mark on the cardboard at the center-line of each wheel to get a reference point.

Drive the car, allowing it to reach full operating temperature and park it over the cardboard. Allow enough tile for the car to cool, preferably overnight.

Examine the cardboard for fluids.

Black or brown = Oil
Red = Automatic transmission
Greenish sweet smelling = coolant Note: This will be orange if you have the long life Dex Cool coolant.
Clear oily = Power Steering or brake fluid
Clear = Check for gasoline.

Note the location of these stains in relationship to your reference point. Place the car on jack stands and look above these areas and many times you can spot the source of the leak.

Repair accordingly.

You are waiting too long between oil changes on both vehicles. You are following the schedule for light duty. Very few vehicles qualify as light duty in regards to the maintenance schedule. You should be changing the oil every 3000 miles. Don't forget to change the PCV valve about once a year. A plugged PCV valve can cause crankcase pressure to build and blow oil out all over the place.

Answer 2

First of all, 4000 miles for an oil chandge is too much. The recommended mileage is 3000. And that's even a little high. But if you want to save a few bucks in between oil changes, it's probably your best bet. Naturally, after the guaranteed life of an oil has ended, it begins to disintegrate. My advice is to not let this happen because you are looking at an eventual overhaul on your engine, when the engine can last for years without giving you any problems at all.

Answer 3

Bit of rust is NOT mint condition... see about a good used engine from the salvage yard. 1986 was a long time ago, so engines might be rare for your car. For $1500 all you get is a new head gasket, not a complete rebuild, but you might get away with top-end work to tide you over a year or two. Constant smoking shows that the engine is worn out. I took an engine like that completely apart and had it reworked at a machine shop, then reassembled it with new pistons and everything. If you have the skill, go for it. If not, call the salvage yard.

Answer 4

If youre going 6000 miles between oil changes its very possible that the piston rings have worn and its burning oil.
Also older cars tend to leak.
(I would suggest you change your oil more often.)

Answer 5

Most likely the valve seals are leaking or oil is getting through the piston rings.

A compression test both wet and dry should allow you to determine which is leaking and you can get it fixed if you desire.

Answer 6

Gaskets break down over time due to the engine heat. This allows oil to leak out of the engine. Replacing oil pan and valve cover gaskets should fix the problem.

Answer 7

my 1977 Pontiac Catalina Safari Station Wagon with 240,000 miles on it only darkens the oil . . and it usually isn't low . .I have changed the oil every 3000miles on the car since I got it.

Answer 8

it could be burning the oil or losting it. If it is burning it, you might just need to have a tune up and could solve a lot of it.

Answer 9

warped piston ..no worn rings or valve guides maybe.
ase tech