Engine question on a different car

[rx900]

I have a quick question. Now some may figure out what vehicle I'm talking about, but let's not worry about that for now.

My question is, what is the problem with an engine, if the engine EATS up the oil, and doesnt leak out anywhere? What do you call that problem? No its not happening to my 4Runner or any of my other cars, but Im lookin at some used vehicles, to get a daily beater and Im wondering what the problem is on a car that eats up oil but doesnt leak out! Thanks

 

[tomhaney1]

Is the oil gelling? Drain it and find out. Also check for any coolant leak. Is it overheating?

 

[rx900]

Oh. This is a general question because I'm looking to purchase (not sure yet, but thinking about it) a particular used vehicle. I don't have the vehicle yet so I can't check to see if it's oil gelling. It's been known to eat up oil. Another forum told me that it might be worn out piston rings. Anyone else might know what could be the problem???

 

[TheBlueWave]

There are so many problems that have "engine using oil" as one of the symptoms. It could be that it is getting into the combustion chambers somehow (worn rings of course, or oil leaks through head into cylinders) and getting burned. Or it could be that oil is leaking out of the head cover gasket and vaporizing on the exhaust manifold, or it could be leaking into the seals and vaporizing before reaching the ground, or it just plain leaks out and you don't notice because its leaking into something on board and not onto the ground. Or I suppose bad bearings inside the engine could vaporize oil and send it through the PCV system.
What kind of car are you looking at?

 

[nc211]

...yeah Dens, what kind of car is it? :dancin: :hello:

 

[wolfgang]

Worn out engine is worse case - from just too many miles and not enought oil changes. So that would be worn rings, piston bores, valve guides - if it has low oil pressure then bearing are next to go. That's worse case --- if around 100k on engine then it could be hardened valve seals or even a cheap stuck PVC valve. Have a simple compression check done on the engine if htey vary by more than say 10 PSI or are real low - engine is worn out so price better be cheap. Using a higher weight oil (20W50 or can of STP) can help reduce oil burning - but vehicle will most likely fail emissions test.

 

[rx900]

Omg. I didnt notice there were replies already to my question (some reason I didnt receive any email notices hmmm)..

At first I didnt want to mention what vehicle so people won't go car bashing the particular vehicle, so I would get neutral opinions or facts about this engine problem.

Isuzu Trooper people, particularly the 98-02 (when the engine switched from 3.2L to 3.5L)....


I'll keep those in mind... Still canvasing my plans. If I really didnt like the Trooper, I wouldnt even bother asking this question! But just give me any more inputs if you guys know anymore. I've already read a lot of threads regarding the TRooper and they say that there is NO LEAK, but it probably evaporates...

 

[wolfgang]

Is it a turbo diesel then? That probably opens up a few more possibilities. It could be consuming the oil and you probably couldn't even tell it by exhaust.