What does it mean when a car burns oil?

1) What does it mean when a car burns oil? What is actually happening in the engine?


2) What maintenance can help releive of fix the problem?


3) is it a serious issue spelling out a soon to be huge problem or can the car run like this for quite some time?What does it mean when a car burns oil?
Bad pistin rings and/or valve seals.


You're too late for maintenance, now it's time to rebuild the motor.


You can drive it as is if the smoke is not a complete cloud of smoke. Just top off the oil every couple of days depending on how bad you're burning it. You may have to pull the plugs and clean or replace them if they get fouled.


Make sure the PCV valve is not plugged up.What does it mean when a car burns oil?
Oil burning generally means that your piston rings are very worn and are allowing oil to pass by them into the combustion chamber where it's burned and produces smoke. Regular oil changes with quality oil will prevent the condition from developing before old age. The problem can't be fixed, but using heavier oil (or adding a thickener) will help.


If you and the police don't mind the smoke, you can drive with the condition for quite a while.


Misfiring caused by oil fouling of the spark plugs can occur.


A less likely cause of oil burning can be from a clogged crankcase ventilation valve.
Its normally a sign of engine wear. Oil starts to get by the rings and causes blue smoke. The can can run like this for a while, its not really good. The other thing that could be happening is your head gasket could be going allow oil to seep into the top of the cylinder. Or if you have a turbo/supercharger oil could be getting into here. This is the worst case senario, you will need to replace teh turbo ASAP, if the turbo blows it can send metal into the engine which will damage the engine real quick, screw up the valves cylinder wall, rings, head...





Check teh air box for blowby if there is a lot of blowby in there, changes are its just wear and to repair it the cylinder will have to be honed and larger pistons install to fix the problem.
Car can run for like that for a while. Usually means a seal is no good or you have bad piston rings. Try replacing those and if that doesn't work try overhauling the motor. Usually not serious, most older cars burn oil just from normal wear and tear. Hope this helps.