How to Stop Engine from Burning Oil

If you notice blue smoke coming out of your exhaust pipe, or your oil level dropping faster than usual, you might have a problem with your engine burning oil. And you need to stop it!

This is not only bad for the environment, but also for your wallet, as you will need to buy more oil and possibly repair your engine.

But why does your engine burn oil in the first place, and what can you do to prevent it or fix it?

In this article, we will explain the common causes of oil burning, and give you some tips on how to stop it.

Whether it’s a simple matter of changing your oil type or a more serious issue of replacing your piston rings, we will help you find the best solution for your situation.

Read on to learn how to stop your engine from burning oil and save money on oil changes and repairs.

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Table of Contents

What Causes Engine Oil Burning?

Several factors contribute to engine oil burning, some of which include:

Worn or damaged piston rings: Over time, the rings responsible for controlling oil flow within the engine can deteriorate, resulting in oil combustion.
Valve seals: The seals encasing the valves can degrade over time, causing oil to seep into the combustion chamber and ignite.
Cylinder walls: Wear or damage to cylinder walls can lead to oil leaks and subsequent combustion.
High mileage engines: Engines with extensive mileage are more prone to oil burning due to increased wear and tear.
High-performance engines: Engines engineered for high performance are also more susceptible to oil burning due to heightened stress and wear.
Poor maintenance practices: Neglecting regular oil changes or using incorrect oil viscosity can also contribute to engine oil combustion.

What happens when you don’t prevent engine from burning oil?

Engine oil burning can have several negative consequences, such as:

Reduced fuel efficiency: Burning oil can reduce fuel efficiency, as more oil is used and less fuel is combusted.
Higher emissions: Burning oil emits harmful substances into the air, raising emissions and worsening air quality.
Engine damage: Persistent oil burning can damage the engine, such as causing more wear and tear on moving parts, blocking catalytic converters, and harming pistons and cylinder walls.
Shorter engine lifespan: The persistent burning of oil can greatly shorten the lifespan of an engine over time.
Higher maintenance costs: Dealing with engine oil burning and fixing the damage it creates can be costly and increase maintenance expenses.

How often should you change engine oil to stop burning?

The interval of oil changes to avoid engine oil burning varies depending on several factors, such as:

Vehicle type and model: Different vehicle types and models have different suggested oil change intervals.
Engine type: High-mileage and high-performance engines may need more regular oil changes.
Driving conditions: Driving in harsh temperatures, frequent traffic jams, and heavy loads can all affect the interval of oil changes.
Oil type: Synthetic oil may last longer than conventional oil and may need less regular changes.
Check your vehicle’s owner manual for the manufacturer’s suggested oil change interval.

As a general rule, most vehicles need oil changes every 3 to 6 months or every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, whichever comes sooner.

Also, checking oil consumption levels and noticing any changes in engine performance can help decide if an oil change is needed.

Best Oils to Prevent Burning

To prevent your engine from burning oil, it’s smart to use high-quality oils that meet industry standards like API and SAE and are right for your car.

Here are some good options:

Synthetic oils: These oils can handle high temperatures well and keep their thickness, which helps prevent oil burning.
High mileage oils: These are made to cut down on oil use in older cars with lots of miles, so they’re great for preventing oil burning in aging engines.
Conventional oils: These basic oils work fine for cars that don’t need anything fancy like synthetic or high-mileage oils.

How to Resolve Oil-Burning Problems

To address engine oil burning concerns, follow these steps:

Verify oil levels: Ensure oil levels fall within the recommended range and refill if needed.
Inspect for leaks: Look for any oil leaks in the engine and promptly fix them to prevent oil burning.
Monitor oil usage: Regularly check oil consumption levels to identify and tackle oil burning issues early.
Examine the PCV valve: A blocked or damaged PCV valve might lead to oil burning, so inspect and replace it if required.
Assess the oil rings: Worn or faulty oil rings may permit oil entry into the combustion chamber, resulting in oil burn.
Check the valve seals: Damaged or worn valve seals can cause oil to enter the combustion chamber, leading to burning.
Arrange a compression test by a mechanic: This test can help identify any internal engine problems contributing to oil burning.

Conclusion

Engine oil burning is a common problem that can affect your vehicle’s performance, emissions, and lifespan.

It can be caused by various factors, such as worn or damaged piston rings, valve seals, cylinder walls, high mileage, high performance, or poor maintenance practices.

To prevent or fix engine oil burning, you need to use high-quality oils that meet industry standards and are suitable for your vehicle type and model.

Furthermore, you need to change your oil regularly, check for oil leaks, monitor oil consumption levels, inspect the PCV valve, check the oil rings, inspect the valve seals, and have a mechanic perform a compression test.

By following these tips and tricks, you can stop your engine from burning oil and save money on oil changes and repairs.

Moreover, you can also improve your fuel efficiency, reduce your emissions, and extend your engine’s lifespan.

Remember, a healthy engine is a happy engine!

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Secret to stopping oil burning (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpMtjpQZZQg)