Oil consumption getting worse!!

[mmmmike]

2005 Toyota Highlander 4cyl. front wheel drive. 190k miles. Regular 3k mile oil changes since new. MMO treatments and Seafoam treatments here and there.

Recently my oil consumption has gotten worse to the point of 1qt every 1500miles.

PCV in good shape but just bought factory one with hose for good measure.

Have run multiple Kreen treatments in oil. Most recent was put in then the car was driven 5 hours for a good steady clean. Used BG109 on a warm engine for 20 mins at increased idle.
Did an overnight piston soak with Kreen with rear of car jacked high so piston heads were level. Topped off the next day with a seafoam soak.

I am very frustrated and was going to try doing a BG109 soak overnight. Heck I'm even half tempted to do a Berryman's Chem Dip soak with an immediate oil change since that is actually a parts soak!!

There is no smoke at all during idle so I am 99.9% sure it is not valve stem seals. Also the plugs looked good before last soak of Kreen which was about 10k ago.

When I jump on it at night with headlights behind me I can see the smoke come out but that is only when I really jump on it which I happen to do a lot so I am sure that is not helping.

I know Toyota's are known for carbing up the oil rings. Ideas?

Thanks

 

[nicholas]

Try some moly - or MOS2 to try and loosen those stuck rings.

I have talked to some people who have had success with lubegard Heavy Duty oil treatment - 3oz per quart of oil. High ester content to disolve sludge gumming up oil control rings.

Good luck

 

[Jimzz]

It has 190k, its going to use some oil.

Just use a high mileage 10w30 and top off as needed.


EDIT
And stop using the additives/quick fixs. Save the money for topping off and enjoy the car as is.

 

[WobblyElvis]

If the rings were badly worn or stuck, two things would happen.
It might blow oil out of the breather into the intake plenum and you would see oil on the throttle body. Secondly, carbon from combustion would quickly turn the oil black.

 

[zzyzzx]

Originally Posted By: Jimzz
It has 190k, its going to use some oil.

Just use a high mileage 10w30 and top off as needed.


+1 for the above comment.

 

[QuietPortage]

Maxlife 10w-40. Get the rings done if you really want to fix it, but I think you've hit the limit of chemical treatments.

 

[barkingspider]

There is no miracle in a can. It appears you tried them all, ha. USe thicker oil for now and start saving $$$ for engine repair, engine replace, or a new car.

 

[zach1900]

That engine is overworked In the Highlander, just use high mi 10w30 and keep an eye on it, you have almost 200,000 miles on it.

 

[mmmmike]

Thanks I guess. Was really looking for ideas on actually trying to clean the rings since it is well known for Toyota's to have this problem. I'm well aware of my mileage but that doesn't mean it can't be fixed.

Not looking for a solution in a can. Looking for something to soak pistons with. I like tinkering and don't mind spending $20 on something that might have a positive impact.

I was warned against thicker oils by a trusted mechanic since it mess with stuff. Although admittedly I've thought of try it.

Also thought of an oil seperator.

 

[GenesisGuy70]

Originally Posted By: Jimzz
It has 190k, its going to use some oil.

Just use a high mileage 10w30 and top off as needed.


EDIT
And stop using the additives/quick fixs. Save the money for topping off and enjoy the car as is.


+1. You can try all the additives you want but worn rings are worn rings. No fixing that without rebuilding. Like others said, more to a thicker oil, that should help. But nothing will stop it.

 

[bigt61]

Originally Posted By: Jimzz
It has 190k, its going to use some oil.

Just use a high mileage 10w30 and top off as needed.


EDIT
And stop using the additives/quick fixs. Save the money for topping off and enjoy the car as is.

Agree. In NC you can probably get away w 10W-40 MaxLife, as mentioned above, especially in the summer. Just MaxLife it for a few 5k OCIs, I'll bet it will improve. As much oil as you're adding, you don't need to change at 3k.

 

[mmmmike]

I guess I was looking at it from the standpoint of carboned rings not worn. Currently using 5w30. guess I could bump to 10w30.

 

[QuietPortage]

Originally Posted By: mmmmike
I guess I was looking at it from the standpoint of carboned rings not worn. Currently using 5w30. guess I could bump to 10w30.

I don't think that wil make any difference. Go to Maxlife 10w-40 for a few OCIs and see what happens.

 

[zach1900]

So much for 3k oil changes, in some cases I think to frequent oil changes are actually harmful to the engine.

 

[Brigadier]

Sounds like a job for Lucas Heavy Duty Oil Stabilizer!!!!

j/k

 

[friendly_jacek]

Originally Posted By: Jimzz
It has 190k, its going to use some oil.


+1

wear and tear happens.

 

[zray]

At some point the cost of all the additives you are using is going to be close to a new valve seal & re-ringing job.

Z

 

[geeman789]

Originally Posted By: mmmmike


I was warned against thicker oils by a trusted mechanic since it mess with stuff...



Messes with stuff... ???

Sorry, you said "trusted..." right...?

Cheapest experiment you can do... try a thicker oil... it might help. THEN dig deeper... always start cheap first.

 

[addyguy]

At 190k, 1 quart/1500 miles isn't bad in a hard-worked engine.

You've done enough soaks to confirm that it is NOT helping the problem.

Try the next avenue, thicker oil. Give it the same time you did with all the soaks and cleans to see if it helps.

 

[Koz1]

Found this.
SteveSRT8
In our extremely high mileage 6.o gas engine we were experiencing oil consumption. I suspected coked up rings, read about kreen here, and decided I had nuttin' to lose.

Per the instructions on the can, I put two cups directly into the sump and two cups in the gas tank. Drove the vehicle about 750 miles or so and changed the oil and filter.

Presto, it stopped like magic. It also cleaned the troublesome fixed orifice PCV setup that truck used. I have used it in about 10-12 vehicles now and all but one have had fantastic results.
Maybe a longer clean cycle?