Howdy,
I got a 1998 Toyota Corolla VE with 202k miles on it. Every 500 miles the car burns close to a quart of oil and the back of the car and tailpipe is covered in black soot. It seems to get better or worse depending on how much gas is in the car because when its low on gas it burns way more oil but weirdly it has been running really well despite this for 4 years (knock on wood).
I checked the spark plugs by popping them out and there doesn't seem to be any oil residue on them. The last time I scanned the car it had cylinder misfire codes on cylinders 3 and 4 but I changed out the coilpack and spark plugs and that seems to have mostly fixed it. I also replaced the PVC valve just in case.
I have had weird electrical issues with the car before, like the radio randomly being powered on or off whenever I start the car and the temperature sensor always reading hot even when the car was just started and the sensor was replaced. I think this is due to a loose ground wire but I don't think this is related to the oil burning. What should I do to confirm what is causing it? Am I just overthinking it and no matter what in the end I should just rebuild or swap the engine.
Sincerely Jeff
If I were you, I would try the ATS 505 fuel and oil treatment, it is supposed to help with oil burning.
At that age and mileage it would likely clean it out nicely even if it doesn't help the oil burning. I just did it to my 05 Matrix about 700 miles ago, but it will be a while before I can tell if it helped with the oil burning, as I only lose a quart about every 4k miles with it. It has made the engine run smoother, added some gas mileage, and pep to it though.
I had a 98 and it always burned oil, even at only 100k miles or less. It would only consume about a quart every 2k though, so comparatively little to yours.
Here's a Scotty clip on using an additive to deal with a carboned-up engine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-babZWqH34
If I were you, I would try the ATS 505 fuel and oil treatment, it is supposed to help with oil burning.
I fully agree. Could clean out enough carbon around rings, loosen them up and not burn as much oil.
Scotty's oil treatment on that VW GDI engine produced an obvious and immediate reduction in engine noise.
