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Burning Oil

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Old Jan 20, 2006 | 09:42 AM
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Default Burning Oil

Hi :

Is it normal to be burning off a quart of oil evey 2000 miles? The car has 130,000 on it.

There is no leaking of oil whatsoever, but the air from the vents smells like burnt air.


Gm
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Old Jan 20, 2006 | 09:43 AM
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What year is your car?

Add that information to your signature line. It can be edited by clicking on "Profile" at the top of the page.
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Old Jan 20, 2006 | 10:23 AM
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Default Re: Burning Oil

Originally Posted by gramps_car
Hi :
Is it normal to be burning off a quart of oil evey 2000 miles? The car has 130,000 on it.
There is no leaking of oil whatsoever, but the air from the vents smells like burnt air.
Gm
I would look around the valve covers for leaks. The "burning" you smell could be oil dripping on the exhaust manifold. It may be nothing more than a gasket leaking. Please post the year and model of your car so we can assist you better in the future.
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Old Jan 20, 2006 | 11:11 AM
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I'm with Ol'timer on this one. If you smell it in the vents it'* tyipcally a leak somewhere on the motor and the valve covers are about the most common place.
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Old Jan 20, 2006 | 10:59 PM
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Default 1990 Bonneville SSE

I am ont sure if there is a burning smell . But all I know is that I have to add a quart every 1800 miles. There is no oil on the ground .

Can't seem to figure out where the oil went, just assuming that it is burning off in the engine.





mc
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Old Jan 21, 2006 | 01:01 PM
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Default Re: 1990 Bonneville SSE

Originally Posted by gramps_car
I am ont sure if there is a burning smell . But all I know is that I have to add a quart every 1800 miles. There is no oil on the ground .
Can't seem to figure out where the oil went, just assuming that it is burning off in the engine.
mc
If the car was not maintained properly for the past 130,000 miles then it could be other things other than a leaky valve cover gasket. But that'* a good place to start and, of course, the cheapest. Next, you could start taking the spark plugs out of each cylinder (maybe it'* time replace them anyway) and look at the condition of each plug. Is there an oily coating on any of the plugs??? After that it starts to get costly. One, or more, of the Valve Stem Seals could be leaking and you would never see any oil on the ground. It'* just being burned up in the engine. Baciallly you're adding a quart of oil in between oil changes, right? Two quarts, between oil changes??? Whatever! Anyway, adding a quart of oil now and then is still cheaper than rebuilding the entire engine just to consume less oil. Also, it might be a good idea to clean the entire engine bay with an Engine Degreaser.

Just follow the directions on the can. DON'T use a pressure washer on the engine.
This should temporarily get rid of your "Burning Oil" smell until you find The Leak.
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Old Jan 21, 2006 | 02:51 PM
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Default oil

A common cause of oil consumption is a stuck PCV valve or poor maintainence.
If you have'nt already done so, replace the pcv. If the valve seals were going you would see a puff of smoke when you start the car.
Also you didn't mention what type/weight oil your using.
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Old Jan 21, 2006 | 10:55 PM
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Default oil

Thanks everyone for your knowledgable response. I am using 5w30 oil and had already changed the spark plugs. The plugs did'nt have oil on it and the car had passed an emission
test no problem.

But I would have to agree with you guys that the oil is being burnt in the engine. Adding about 2 quarts between oil changes. But the car still has lot of power.


Thanks again for your help
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