'98 Corolla oil consumption

[Kev401]

Hi All,
I've recently inherited a '98 Toyota Corolla from my folks and it's using some oil. When I got the car, last May, it had 455k km on the clock. That's up to 473k now and it's been using around a quart a month regardless of type of oil in it (The first change was Valvoline MaxLife, then Castrol Syntec, and most recently Pennzoil Platinum; all 10w30). Although I haven't had a compression check done, the car "feels" (subjective, I know) just like it did when it was, well, almost new. There's also an absence of blue smoke/smell I normally associate with oil burn. I've been told by several mechanics that this rate of consumption isn't bad at all for an un-rebilt engine with such high mileage. Any thoughts/suggestions that could help reduce my oil consumption without having to rebuild the engine would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

~Kev401

 

[addyguy]

At this point, I'd just start trying higher viscosities - 10W-40, 15w40, if you want to go synthetic, a 5W-40 might be the best option.

How many miles to a quart is 'once a month' for you? If its under 1 quart/1,000 miles, I wouldn't worry about it...Corolla's are known to use a bit of oil; so to have consumption at 260k miles isn't unexpected...

 

[bepperb]

First spend five bucks and replace the PCV valve. If these are stuck/gummed open you'll see large amounts of consumption like this.

Are you sure that one of the seals isn't leaking? There's no wet spots under the car?

The thicker oil might help, 5w-40 Rotella seems like something to try. Living in Canada I'd be hesitant to use a 15w40 in the winter.

 

[Kev401]

@ addyguy: I'd put the consumption at around 1 quart per 1000kms of 90% city 10% highway.

@bepperb: No spots under the car, really easy to tell since it's been parked on snowy/icy streets all winter PCV valve replacement sounds like a good idea.

 

[alphasparky353]

My 2002 uses about the same when driven around town , but when driven all highway my car uses almost none.

 

[addyguy]

For the mileage, that isn't THAT bad. Yeah, its getting into the unacceptable range (1 quart/600 miles), but with no smoke or leaks, its liveable.

Fixing the PCV seems to help these engines, that combined with a thicker oil (maybe give a 40-weight a try during the summer) might bring the problem back to a more reasonable level - but i doubt it will completely go away!

 

[Kev401]

picking up a pcv valve today!! Any particular 40 weight that you'd recommend?

 

[lexus114]

mobil 1 0W-40

 

[addyguy]

I'd stay 'cheap' in case it does not alter consumption - whatever conventional 10w40 you can get at a good price would be my choice.

Some people would say that is you are going to use a 40-weight, go with a HDEO, like 15w40. But until you get consumption under control, I'd stay with a SM PCMO 40-weight, to make sure you don't ruin your catalytic convertor.

 

[crazyoildude]

is the oil pressure sensor/switch leaking? That will cause that also.

 

[Kev401]

@crazyoildude: I don't think so...like I said earlier, there's no signs of oil underneath the car.

 

[panthermike]

I will chime in my opinion from experience, unfortunately you can't do much on these cars to reduce consumption.

I've tried 20w50, 10w40, in my Girlfriend's 2000 Corolla, the thicker weight helped but not much at all.

Recently, I did two cycles of ARX to the car and consumption did go down, but still burns maybe a qt every 1700 miles. In town the car is much improved but on the highway(long drives, 50+miles) the car still burns oil about the same.

I would say give the ARX a try, then go to 10w40 afterwards. Other than that, it seems these cars are prone to burning oil, great car though! and runs much better after ARX.

 

[dave1251]

ARX seems the most reasonable option to me after the PCV replacement.

 

[StevieC]

Originally Posted By: Kev401
Hi All,
I've recently inherited a '98 Toyota Corolla from my folks and it's using some oil. When I got the car, last May, it had 455k km on the clock. That's up to 473k now and it's been using around a quart a month regardless of type of oil in it (The first change was Valvoline MaxLife, then Castrol Syntec, and most recently Pennzoil Platinum; all 10w30). Although I haven't had a compression check done, the car "feels" (subjective, I know) just like it did when it was, well, almost new. There's also an absence of blue smoke/smell I normally associate with oil burn. I've been told by several mechanics that this rate of consumption isn't bad at all for an un-rebilt engine with such high mileage. Any thoughts/suggestions that could help reduce my oil consumption without having to rebuild the engine would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

~Kev401


I would use a 5w40 or a 5w50 in it in the spring/summer and then go to a lighter weight in the winter for easier starting...

Well done Toyota!

 

[kustomizingkid]

I don't see how some ARX could hurt...

 

[Kev401]

Can you only get ARX directly from them through their website?

 

[StevieC]

Yes... It's great stuff too IMO. Worked very well on my dads van with 300K Km.

 

[crazyoildude]

Did you try high mileage oil? I use Pennzoil High Mileage 5w30 in my sisters corolla and it stopped using oil.. If it is not burning or leaking (you may not smell or see seepage either) where is the oil going.
In the morning after sitting all night or better yet for two days or more have someone start it and stand outside looking at the tail pipe and have them give it a little gas you may see very little blue smoke and maybe a slight rough idle for a couple of seconds if you do it is probably the valve seals and the High Mileage oil should take care of most of that.