Why the engine is eating oil: possible causes

Sooner or later the owners face increased oil consumption in the engine. There are many reasons for this increased "appetite". Need to say that for many modern cars, some consumption still typical. But if it's too big, you should do the diagnosis of the motor. Consider the typical reasons why the engine eats oil.

Main causes of high consumption

As already mentioned, there are a valid expense – this oil on the burn. Simply put, regardless of the type of engine, it burned a small portion of the lubricant in the process. The fact that the lubricating fluid circulates in the system and falls on each element of the motor, including the cylinder wall. Each piston is equipped with special rings that collect the remains of lubricants from the walls of the combustion chamber into the crankcase. However, a small portion still remains on the walls of the cylinders and is burned together with a mixture of gasoline and air. So, the costs of the lubricating fluid should range from 0.05% to 0.25% of the volume of burnt fuel. For example, if the motor used is 100 liters of petrol, then the allowable consumption of lubricants shall be not more than 25 g. However, this maximum figure. The minimum flow rate of up to 5 G. This is all the limit. If there are deviations, then it is worth considering why the diesel engine eats oil.

On the new units, the lubricating liquid may not be consumed. But it happens while the engine is quite new. As wear of the main mechanisms that figure will increase. If the flow rate is frightening, you should look for the cause. And in order to remove it, you will have to disassemble the entire motor. Also the reason can be simple that is easy to resolve. Next – on major faults that result in excessive consumption of lubricant.

The Strong wear of the piston oil rings

On the pistons of any internal combustion engine has a special oil ring – one for each piston. They are, as already mentioned, the need for protection of cylinders against ingress of lubricants. As the rings are in close contact with the walls of the combustion chamber, and thus it is associated with a constant friction, they tend to fade. If there is wear, then it will increase the gaps through which the lubricating fluid will flow into the combustion chamber. There, the grease will safely burn with the fuel mixture and then will be released into the exhaust system in the form of smoke. This is the answer to the question of why the engine eats oil and smokes. Also in case of strong overheating of the engine, the rings can lie down – they lose their elasticity and are pressed in their seats to the pistons. To diagnose the problem by the characteristic blue smoke from the exhaust pipe. To eliminate breakage by replacing these rings.

Worn cylinder walls

This is another popular reason why a engine oil eats a lot. Here it is free in large quantities gets to combustion chambers through the gaps where it burns out. Diagnose can also smoke. To correct the failure required a major overhaul with the boring of the cylinder block. But there is an alternative solution to the question – to buy a new unit. But this is a more expensive option.

The Leak is through valve seals

Oil cap – a special oil seal in the engine. It is made of special materials which can easily withstand high temperatures. Due to the strong wear of the seal loses its characteristics of elasticity. The result – leakage and high flow rates of lubricating fluid. To replace the caps only need to disassemble the cylinder head. The entire engine disassembled optional. This is the least expensive in eliminating the reason why the engine eats oil. This problem often suffer engines from Subaru. Many owners of these cars complain about the high consumption. Some write that this is normal and these engines really this design (oppozit). However, a common reason why eating oil engine for Subaru ej20 – this is valve seals.

Leaks, cylinder head gaskets

This defect is most often seen on the cars. On new is and is not happening – in terms of production bolts are tightened very well. On cars with high mileage, where the wear of the motor is large enough, padding just burns through. It happens often enough. To resolve the problem, requires replacement of gasket. You just need to remove the cylinder head. After the new, recommended to evenly tighten the bolts to flow is not formed again.

Oil Seals crankshaft

In the case of severe wear, low temperature, or fill in the substandard motor oils, oil seals often squeezes, causing high consumption. The cost of the new seal is minimal, but the volume of work to replace is very large.

Turbine Rotor on engines with supercharging

If the car has a turbo that leaks can grow significantly. It is possible to dry the oil system in a very short period, if there is a worn bushing on the turbine rotor. When the motor starts to work differently, the first step is to check the correct operation of the rotor.

Common fault

Lubricant flows through the oil filter. One of the characteristic features – smudges and stains under the car after Parking. The cause of the leak - weak tightness of the filter housing. It's easy to get out of this situation - enough stronger to tighten the filter. This will instantly eliminate the leak. Also, motorists are faced with a leak through the lid of the cylinder head. In most models it is secured for 6-12 bolts. Some of them can be just negotiate. To increased consumption also results in and oils of low quality. The fact that when getting lubricant on the piston, they instantly burn. It is recommended to fill more than quality product and then the flow comes back to normal.

The drives

Not all go quietly. More aggressive styles of riding, when the engine revs up to the cutoff, we should not forget that this extreme regime and increased oil consumption. In this case – it's business as usual.

Seasonality

Yet consumption is affected by time of year. So, in the winter the consumption is higher, since the vehicle operates in conditions of severe frosts. Professional mechanics are recommended for harsh winters apply a higher quality oil with less viscosity – then with the flow everything will be all right.

Diesel engines

We considered the petrol engines and now let us examine why the diesel engine eats oil. Big expense, if 10 000 km out of 1 litre of lubricant. The causes of oil consumption in diesel engines in General the same as in the case of petrol. The lubricant may leak through the crankshaft seal. Also leaks are head gasket or cylinder head malatrasi caps. It is recommended to check the injection pump. 25 % of these cases the problem lies in it. Failure of fuel injection pump are different. In one case, you can do the repair in the other - need to be replaced. Among the reasons why eating oil the engine on «KAMAZ», you can select the long mode idle speed. Also there is often leakage through the lubricating system of the turbocharger – to eliminate the pull-up connection in the system of the turbocharger or change the gasket. Still to high consumption leads to clogged air cleaner and air intake. This can easily be fixed with cleaning it.

Boxer engine

The design of modern reciprocating engines are that they are even in new condition will spend more lubricants than their conventional counterparts. Manufacturers such as Subaru, declare that normal consumption for the boxer motor is about 1 liter for 2000-2500 km. Among the reasons why a boxer engine is eating oil, can be rings, caps, leaks. The essential diagnosis of the engine.

Increased appetite after overhaul

Sometimes, a fully reconditioned engine not pleasing to its owner. To understand why, you need to understand exactly what was done to repair. Maybe not changed the pistons, and was made just to replace the rings – they will long to run oval pistons. In fact, the reasons why, after overhaul the engine eats oil very much. And to find fault, it is best to disassemble the motor and inspect it. But this is recommended only to professionals.

Conclusion

We reviewed the main reasons why the engine eats oil. This information should help aspiring motorists in the diagnosis of their cars.