Hello Scotty Community,
I bought a used 2014 toyota corolla s. Clean title and no accidents, only 47k miles. Car has worked perfectly fine for many months but have just realized that it's burning too much oil. Approximately a quart every 300-500 miles. Car has no oil leaks and the engine sounds smooth. I think it might be the pcv valve or clogged piston rings. What do you think the issue might be?
Do you have access to the car’s prior service/maintenance history? Any engine will burn oil if the oil wasn’t changed regularly.
Thank you for your response InThrustWeTrust,
I think that's the issue. Unfortunately, I don't have a maintenance record. I took a huge risk and purchased the car from a mechanic who buys auctioned cars, fixes them, and sells them. I only checked the car fax and called the dmv to see if there was something sketchy in the past. I'm planning on getting a tune up and oil change done soon. I'm assuming that won't really help. Asides from asking another mechanic to check my car, what else do you suggest I do? I love the car and want it to run strong for longer.
tag him w/ @inthrustwetrust
Damn! That’s why it’s so important to have a used car inspected by a reputed mechanic, before you buy it.
That’s water under the bridge now.
Like you said, try changing the PCV, if it helps, great! Otherwise you need to decide if you want to keep adding oil and continue using the car or get rid of it while you still can (since the car is low mileage).
Good luck!
I would suggest to get rid of the car, unless you rebuild the engine which cost a lot. Burning this much oil results in ruining your catalytic converter which cost a lot to replace.
Thank you Yaser,
I will try my best to get rid of it. It's such a shame. Here I was thinking I made a great purchase. I wish I had you or Scotty with me when I inspected the car.
Corollas are only reliable if they were taken care of oil changes done regurarly etc. If it is not, stuff like this happens. Odds are you don't have prior maintenance history or did not get a mechanic to check it out before purchase.
I don't have the service records. I took a relative who worked as a mechanic to inspect the car. I guess he didn't do a good job or perhaps he's not great with newer models. He's retired.
sad but true family members and friends are some of the worst people to have their hands on your car...
Always get a leak down test or at least a compression test on any vehicle before you buy it. Rings don't get clogged, they wear out.
