Why is my car burning oil?

As the years and miles stack up on your car, it’s not uncommon for the engine to start losing a little bit of oil over time. However, losing too much oil too quickly can lead to problems. If there’s not enough oil in the engine, it can suffer severe damage as bare metal parts will scrape and slide against one another — creating tons of friction, way too much heat, and causing the engine to warp and even fuse components together.

At All Phase Auto Repair, we want to help protect your engine so it lasts as long as possible.  Whether that means pouring a quart of oil into the engine every few weeks or fixing the problem so your engine stops losing oil in the first place. Below, we’ve compiled four reasons why your engine might be losing oil. Learn more about your car, how to take care of it and where to go for help in the article below!

4. ENGINE OIL LEAK

If your car has been running well and isn’t showing any check engine or low oil pressure lights, but a test with the dipstick reveals that the oil level is still a bit low, you might have a small leak in the engine. If you had a big leak, you’d probably notice it — either by a warning light coming on in the dashboard or a big puddle of oil forming under your car. Oil’s viscous properties means it leaves big, obvious, black puddles under your car. But a very small oil leak could cause the engine to lose a small amount of oil over time without any other symptoms. The oil would slowly leak out of the engine and congeal on metal components like valve covers and exhaust manifolds. You’d see no visible leak and no smoke that would otherwise tip you off to a problem.

Sound like your car? We recommend a visit to All Phase Auto Repair in Essex, MD. Using special tools, we can locate your car’s oil leak and suggest a fix. We’ll also be able to top off the engine oil so your vehicle stays protected!

3. BAD PCV VALVE

The crankcase is a central part of your car’s engine that holds many of its moving parts. Those parts need to be protected from heat and friction by the engine oil. But, over time, pressure can build up inside the crankcase as combustion gasses are forced past the piston rings and into the crankcase. This process is called “blowby.” The Positive Crankcase Ventilation system relieves that pressure, and sends the combustion gasses back to the intake manifold so they can be burned up in the engine. If this system malfunctions, pressure can build up in the crankcase and force the oil inside past seals and gaskets — resulting in an engine leak. Or, the PCV valve can become clogged and cause the engine to consume oil and burn it internally. This problem can even lead to the engine running roughly, backfiring and stalling. Luckily, replacing a bad PCV valve is a fast and easy process for our skilled technicians!

2. FAILED PISTON RINGS

If the engine isn’t leaking oil, and the PCV system is working as it should, that means your engine is probably wearing out inside. As a result, the engine is consuming some oil. If the engine burns enough oil, you’ll actually be able to see blueish-grey exhaust fumes coming from your tailpipe.

The piston rings are designed to rub up against the walls of the engine’s cylinders, keeping engine oil in the crankcase and the air/fuel mixture in the cylinders. Blowby forces air/fuel mixture past the piston rings and into the crankcase as described above, but oil can travel the other way into the combustion chambers, too, if you’ve got bad piston rings. That oil will burn up in the engine and could lead to damage. To fix this problem, you’ll need new piston rings installed, which will require the engine to be significantly dismantled.

1. BLOWN HEAD GASKET

This crucial component forms a seal between the engine block and the cylinder head — and if it fails, all sorts of things can go bad. One possible symptom of a blown head gasket is an engine that’s consuming oil. Other symptoms you’re likely to notice if your car’s suffered a blown head gasket include a rough idle, engine overheating and poor fuel economy, just to name a few.

Like bad piston rings, replacing a blown head gasket requires a significant repair. When you visit All Phase Auto Repair, our friendly technicians will take a close look at your car and explain exactly what’s going on. In some cases, this repair will be well worth your time and money.  Give Terri a call 410-687-5030 or stop by at 300 Eastern Blvd, Essex, MD 21221.

“Vehicle Wheel Bearing Noise”

All Phase sees many different wheel bearing failures. Some have growling/roaring noises when driving, can increase or decrease when turning or with speed. Brake pedal pulsations can occur with bent hubs also causing early low speed ABS activation with slow driving or coming to stops. Lastly vehicles that have been in accidents can experience wheel bearing failures even weeks after body work has been completed especially when wheels have made contact with something.  Allphase Auto Repair Diagnoses all Vehicle issues and Noises. https://allphaseautorepair.napavision.com/topic/wheel-bearings/

Covid 19 Update

All Phase has always used a night drop box in front of building for after hrs service. For those who want no contact service, this is what to use. Fill out information and what you want, just insert through garage door or we can retrieve during business hrs. As always contact Terri for information or services. 410-687-5030

“Tax Time 2020”

Don’t miss out! Tax time is your best time to get your vehicle repaired or serviced at All Phase Auto Repair. Major discounts given, purchase more, get more. Our maintenance packages come quick with added warranty on your vehicles systems, Transmissions, Engines, as well as Power Steering based on vehicle mileage. We use products that are proven and tested for better fuel economy, extended mileage and piece of mind. As COVID19 is front and center we remain open, clean and committed to our customers.

“Overheating Vehicles”

Warmer weather is coming and All Phase Auto Repair can keep you and your vehicle cool. Cooling system fluids must be renewed and flushed to clean the small passages which will cause clogs and cause “Overheating Issues.” As a matter of fact all fluids should be changed out to keep your vehicles systems in proper working order for longer, saving you break downs and repair bills. Longer oil change intervals have proven problematic for newer vehicles engine systems as well, causing premature engine warning lamps and damage to timing and oiling systems. Symptoms include no power, engine lamps, oil consumption and engine noises. $10 OFF FLUID EXCHANGES EXPIRES 3/31/2020.

Why is my car Shaking?

“Transmissions Service Near Me”

All Phase Auto knows Transmissions and Service! The best way to avoid Repair Bills is to change your vehicle fluids. Today vehicles are turning engine lamps on just because your engine and transmission oil is dirty. Manufactures will have you believe in longer service intervals but could not be more wrong. The longer intervals may benefit them when they offer “Free Oil and Filter Changes,” but its doing nothing for longevity, well being, value and worth out your vehicle

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“Oil Change Near Me”

A new age has arrived when it comes to “Oil Changes” and your vehicle. Manufactures have increased the amount of parts and systems inside your vehicles engine that are critically dependent to your vehicles oil changes and lack there of. Massive changes have taken place in the name of Uncle Sam to reduce emissions and increase fuel economy. We are seeing an alarming amount of vehicles all makes and models with dirty engine oil that can set engine lamps on and have cause for towing your vehicle. Some vehicles have been towed in with locked up engines some covered under warranty and some not. Manufactures will change their policies, specs, and pricing when it comes to problems they have to deal with such as oil consumption, leaks, and other internal engine issues and more. If your vehicle is under warranty and they have to correct it your in luck, for the rest of us the best advice is change all your vehicle fluids before your factory recommended service intervals and make absolutely sure you have your receipts when having to deal with aftermarket and dealer warranty issues. We can help,Good Luck!

“Auto Repair Deals” Get 10% Back or MORE!

All Phase Auto Repair offers financing options with more benefits. Get 10% back on Visa Prepaid card 9/1/2019 – 10/31/2019 when using or applying for Napa easy pay credit card for #ESSEXAUTOREPAIRS. Call for details 410-687-5030

Auto Repair Financing

This day and age car repair can be quit pricey depending on what you need.  We at All Phase Auto Repair have been offering three finance options to help spread out those larger bills.  We have 6 month no interest, 12 month no interest and a 90 day payment option.  The 6 and 12 month no interest does have a credit application but we do see a lot of approvals.  The 90 day payment option does require a checking account along with a history of writing paper checks.  There is a approval process.   This option doesn’t check your credit but does have a finance charge.  The good thing about the first two options is ounce approved you have the card for any future purchases also.  Paying that bill in 6 or 12 payments is a lot easier than one lump sum and there’s no interest.  So next time you might need a set of tires, engine replacement, transmission replacement, or anything car repair related.  Come ask Terri how you can apply for our finance options.