You are here:

Toyota Repair/'97 Tercel Oil problem

Advertisement

Expert: Ted Ritter - 11/8/2009


Question
I have an automatic 97 tercel white hawk with 180000 miles on it.
Cant figure out what is happening to the oil. In two weeks time, it loses oil ....the entire length of the dip-stick cross-hatch pattern...problably one quart. Have to keep adding oil each week. Never noticed a leak so it must be burning oil but there is no blue smoke either. Cant figure it out. I have another '97 Tercel with 97000 miles that is a stick shift and that never loses any oil.
Do you have any ideas ? Would the additive "Engine Restorer" work ?

Thank you,

vb

Answer
I don't believe in additives, they are a temporary fix at best. Have you checked the coolant for the possibility of oil entering the cooling system? Remove the air filter and see if any oil is in there, in most cases of excessive oil consumption it's because the piston rings are worn in which case the engine is burning the oil, the oil has to go somewhere and there are no leaks as you stated.

Toyota Repair

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Ted Ritter

Expertise

I have more than 28 years experience as toyota technician, I will be able to answer most questions related to the Toyota product line up to the present year models,I am located in the US but welcome questions from other regions of the world. When asking a question please provide specific information: year,model, engine,transmission information. Provide as much information as possible including a brief repair history if possible. I have been a volunteer here for almost ten years an have answered over 16,000 questions helping Toyota owners with their problems without any compensation, some of my answers are published on many other websites via google and other search engines. AllExperts recently added a new feature which allows questioners to donate to experts on the site, any amount of donation is very much appreciated, to make a donation just click on the DONATE button.

Experience

Toyota technician since 1979,expert in electrical systems,OBD systems,engine repair, driveability problems,EFI systems,ASE certified,Toyota master technician.
Certified Hybrid Vehicle technician.

Education/Credentials
Toyota master technician, ASE certified in eight catagories, Hybrid vehicle certified. Toyota technical training: Engine Automatic transmission Manual transmission Drivetrain Electrical systems Brakes and chassis Air conditioning Engine performance and diagnostics Hybrid systems

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.