What’s worse, burning a quart of oil between oil changes, or leaking a quart of oil between oil changes?
Joe is right. Plus with leaking oil, you can usually see and/or pinpoint the source of the leak and either fix or keep an eye on it.
As an example, when many Toyota vehicles started using excessive oil (and then burning oil) in the late 2000s, the TSB stated that it could result in cylinder misfire and more than a few have reported the engine failing completly.
burning of course. It fouls up spark plugs, valves and cats.
leaking oil only fouls your driveway.
Aside: Speaking of burning oil: … rumour is that manufacturers, starting with Toyota, now starting to officially claim that, for a new car - still under a warranty - burning a quart of a new fancy-shmancy 0W-16 or equivalent oil in 1200 miles or more is considered normal. In less than 1200 miles, … they will have a look. FWIW.
F.S.
I've heard that too. I wonder why.
Well, … apparently, the new oil will not foul up converters at that rate - new formulation - and so, for economy’s sake, tension of the piston rings against the cylinder wall has been reduced as a consequence. So it was explained to me, …
F.S.
Fascinating.
The owners manual for my 98 4Runner says burning just a bit of oil is normal.
Yes. I was also told that new Toyota engine blocks are no longer rebuildable. That is, you cannot refinish them if they become slightly scratched or glazed or worn. Hence, lesser tension from the piston rings are to help here, too. Predicted useful engine block’s life is now, for engines like A25A, for example, is set at 150-175k. Maybe 200, … if you double frequency of oil changes.
F.S.
why can't they be rebuilt?
Not a sufficient amount of thickness in a sleeve imbedded in the casting, … to machine or hone. Mind you, latest techniques in plasma deposition of metal will, most likely work, … but at what expense?
F.S.
you can't press in new sleeves?
not that it really matters. Most people don't get engines rebuilt these days anyway. So you're saying the useful block life is more, or less than before?
Nope, … sleeve has a sort of a deep wrinkly / groovy / ridgy outside surface all along its length. All that is fully encased in parent casting. You can’t press the original out, you can’t bore it out, … there is not a sufficient parent material due to thin walled casting to do anything than to just scrap it.
F.S.
hm... disposable engines. Well hopefully the consumer gets to enjoy some of the cost savings.
So, you're saying compression was lowered....
IF that's true..about 175-200k...that's aweful...it just means they're making them cheap like everyone else.