Questions and Answers

Toyota Corolla Using Oil Suddenly Q. Mr. Ciulla, Thank you for providing this type of service. I am not a mechanic, so my question is not one of "How to..." I have a 1998 Toyota Corolla LE. It has a 1.8 engine, automatic, no ABS, but all the other options. It now has about 75,000 miles.

We noticed at about 73,000 miles that all of a sudden it was using oil. The tail pipe is became black and full of "soot", and the dip-stick now shows a loss of about 1 quart. per 500 miles. According to your previously written comments it sounds like a ring or valve job is in my future. Great! I am very confused as to why this has occurred, and that is the purpose of this letter. I have been very careful to follow the manufacturer's. service recommendations and change the oil every 2500 - 3500 miles, without fail.

Are you aware if this is a common problem with these engines? Has Toyota released anything that admits to this problem, or warns owners? Is there a certain part (or parts) in this engine that have a history of failure that could have caused this? (i.e. Too soft a metal in the rings, or cylinder wall.) I have tried to search the web for this but so far - nothing. Thank you for any light you can shed on this.

Mike

A. There's no built in defects with Toyota that I can think of that would cause it. There are things that can contribute to it, such as if the engine was ever badly overheated.This could damage valve seals. The use of poor quality oil at quick lube type places can also contribute to making piston rings stick. Seeing that the onset of the problem was sudden, a piston ring could have broken or maybe the engine developed a leak?

If all your maintenance was performed at a dealer, it might be a good idea to talk to them. They will try to keep a good customer happy and offer to pay for parts while you pay labor, it won't hurt to ask.

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