If you’ve noticed that your oil levels keep dropping, your car smells like burning oil, or there’s bluish smoke coming from the exhaust, you could be facing a serious engine issue: your car is burning oil.
While regular oil consumption is a normal part of engine operation, excessive or fast oil loss can signal internal damage that’s expensive to fix and potentially dangerous to ignore.
Let’s take a deeper look into what’s happening under the hood.
Signs Your Car Is Burning Oil
Recognising the signs early can help you avoid a complete engine failure. Here’s what to look out for:
- Bluish smoke from the tailpipe, especially when accelerating or decelerating
- Rapid oil level drops despite no visible leaks
- Persistent burning oil smell inside or outside the vehicle
- Oil indicator or pressure warning light appearing on your dashboard
- Oil-fouled spark plugs from oil leaking into the combustion chamber
- Increased engine noise or poor overall performance
If you’re checking your oil dipstick daily and noticing a drop each time, that’s a big red flag. You might also find yourself topping up more often than usual.
What Should You Do If Your Car Smells Like Burning Oil?
If you’re experiencing any of the above signs, especially smoke and smells, it’s time for a serious inspection.
A qualified mechanic should check:
- Piston rings
- Valve seals
- PCV system
- Head gasket
- Turbo seals (if applicable)
If you’re lucky, it may just be a worn gasket or blocked valve that can be repaired.
But in many cases, especially in older or high-kilometre vehicles, the cost of repair may outweigh the car’s actual value.
At Metro Car Removal, we understand how frustrating it is to deal with constant car problems, especially ones like this. If you’re in Sydney and think your car might not be worth fixing, we offer great cash for cars deals in any condition, including those with engine trouble like oil burning.
What Does It Mean When a Car Is Burning Oil?
When your engine burns oil, it means the oil is entering the combustion chamber and being ignited along with fuel.
This typically happens when engine components like piston rings, valve seals or gaskets are worn or broken.
As a result, oil escapes its designated system and ends up being burned instead of lubricating your engine.
In other cases, oil may be leaking from the engine and dripping onto hot exhaust parts, producing that unmistakable burning smell.
Common Causes of a Car Burning Oil
Burning oil doesn’t always have one clear cause. Multiple factors could be at play. Here are some of the most common culprits:
Worn or Broken Piston Rings
These rings are designed to seal the combustion chamber. When they fail, oil seeps through and gets burned, increasing carbon build-up and internal pressure.
Leaky or Cracked Valve Seals
Valve seals prevent oil from dripping into the combustion chamber. If they’re damaged, oil can easily bypass them, resulting in smoke and reduced performance.
Worn Cylinder Head Gasket
The head gasket seals oil passages within the engine. When it fails, oil can leak into the combustion chamber or the cooling system, both of which are costly to fix.
Faulty or Blocked PCV Valve
The Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system manages pressure and emissions. If it’s blocked or worn out, oil can be drawn into the intake system and burned.
Oil Entering the Turbocharger (For Turbocharged Engines)
Worn seals in the turbocharger can cause oil to leak into the compressor or exhaust. Both situations lead to oil burning and potential turbo failure.
When Is It Not Worth Fixing?
Repairing a car that burns oil can cost anywhere from $500 to $4,000 or more, depending on the root cause. That’s a lot to spend on a car that might still have other issues.
This is where Metro Car Removal comes in. If your vehicle is no longer worth the hassle, we’ll buy it as-is, even if it has a blown engine or is unroadworthy.
Say Goodbye to Your Oil-Burning Car Today
If you’re tired of spending money on oil refills and repairs, it’s time to cash in. At Metro Car Removal, we help you turn that problem vehicle into profit quickly and easily.
Call us now at 0422 600 833 or get a quote online. We’ll tow it away for free and pay you on the spot. No stress, no waiting.
Stop watching your oil and your money go up in smoke. Let Metro Car Removal put cash in your pocket today.
Why Choose Metro Car Removal?
We’re Sydney’s trusted car removal service offering:
- Top cash payouts for cars with engine issues
- Free same-day towing
- No rego or roadworthy needed
- Hassle-free paperwork
- Fast quotes by phone or online