Hi all, Can anyone give me some suggestions on what might be causing this oil problem. My mothers 02 Camry has 106000 miles on it. Its the 4 cyl motor and does not appear to be leaking anywhere. the car has been going through a quart every 2 weeks!! I thought if it was burning it we would be seeing some sort of blue smoke orgrime on the rear bumperbut theres no evidence of that either.I was thinking maybe a sludging problem but thought that was more common with the 6 cylinders? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

There are no signs of external leaking oil? No residue? Did you check low down where the crankshaft seal is? Look for pan gasket leak or even drain plug leak. If the engine is clean then leaking HG or valve seals or rings. Pull the plugs and see how they look. Look for water in oil, oil in water.

 

Checked everywhere on the motor and its dry. No oil in water or water in oil either. I have not pulled the plugs yet. Thats my next move but I didnt think there was any way it was burning it because I figured there would be signs around the exhaust and back of car. The oil was changed about every 6 to 7000 miles. Penzoil 5w30.

 

The Cat might be burning off the oil smoke.

 

That makes sense. She just had a new one put on about 6 months ago. Maybe this contributed to the failure of the old one.

 

A cat could not burn off the amount of oil your losing. You would have plumes of smoke billowing out the tailpiple. If there is no smoke at start-up, or at any time, then it HAS to be leaking. A quart every 2 weeks is a lot of oil to lose I burn about 1 quart a month because of my valve seals andyou can sure as hell see the smoke coming out of the tailpipe when i start it, so if your burning it you would know. Look for leaks, and I dont mean take a peak at the ground where the car is parked; lay on the ground with a flashlight and look everywhere. You will find a leak.

-Jason