Will a small oil leak cause you to fail your car emissions test?

Question

I keep putting off fixing it because I fear it will be expensive. The oil doesn't leak to the ground at all. It takes me 4 months to get down to the minimum level of oil. I think it leaks elsewhere into the engine and just gets "eaten."

The car is old and I don't plan on having it any longer than the next 1-2 years.

Answer 1

Not likely.

However oil burning might. Worn rings or bad valve seals will allow oil to enter into the combustion chamber. This will increase the HC levels some, and I believe this is the term you're using when you are saying the oil is "eaten"

Does the smoke out of your tail pipe look a little bluish? Usually means oil is burning in the combustion chamber.

Burning oil will also typically result in a lot of soot and eventually clog emission components such as the EGR valve. It will also leave a residue on the catalytic converter. All the reasons why we don't see many diesel engines in the US.

Answer 2

when you park your car, if you can not see it dripping from below then it will pass in the state of texas, i cant speak for anywhere else.