Car burning oil, weird smell

How much oil does your car use? It might not be good idea to use thicker oil. Does it only burn oil so no leaks? Maybe its oil spill when filling it with oil?

 

Going to a heavier oil is still good SOP on worn out motors, but "should not" cause the smell if it did not already exist. Check for obvious leaks or spillage and if nothing is found return to your mechanic to have it checked out.

 

I guess my question is, HOW MUCH oil is it burning?

Toyota recommends the lighter, synthetic oil. If you're burning oil at a rate that is slow enough, where just keeping an eye on the level and adding oil as needed works? That might be the route I would go with.

If your burning oil at a much higher rate? You're probably closer to much more expensive corrective alternatives. Think engine rebuild or replacement.

I've owned older vehicles that burned oil, BUT not older hybrids. With the stop and go nature of HSD? I think I'd want the lighter oil as long as is possible. It's true heavier oils can reduce oil burning and consumption, but if it's going against the recommendation of the manufacturer it is at best simply a stop gap solution masking the real problem.

I'd also check to make sure you don't have a leak or otherwise. The smell of oil in any case shouldn't be too strong.

I've actually driven vehicles for years and years that "burnt" some oil. An attentive top off once a month or so, was OK with me, and the vehicle remained viable. I've also had relatives where the problem simply got worse and worse, until they had billowing smoke and it was time for a new car.

 

toyota doesn't recommend synthetic in the gen II. maybe they spilled some oil and it pooled, so is burning off?

 

Maybe pop the hood and check if they put the oil fill cap back on properly.

 

time to top off oil more often.

 

I don't want to be rude, but where are you getting that information? Do you have any sources?

 

Most likely they just spilt some oil during the change and some is burning off on the exhaust. But do check that the oil cap has been placed back on tight. Also check that they got the oil level right while you're at it.

The change to 10W40 oil has nothing to do with the smell.

 

In the UK Toyota specifically state synthetic should be used, but I agree an oil spill when the car was being refilled with oil is likely to be the problem.

John (Britprius)

 

If it were me I'd have kept the 5W30 and added a quart when needed.
If it gives you an extra 2 or 3 mpg it's probably cheaper and better for the engine.

 

Another thing to consider when going to a "thicker" oil is outside temperature. Low temperatures with a thicker oil can cause a trouble code fore engine failed to start due to a lower turn over speed.

John (Britptius)

 

not rude at all. it's in the manual. when i say 'doesn't recommend', i mean it's not the gen II spec., where it is in the gen III manual. gen II comes from the factory with dino oil, am i mistaken? i always used dino in my '04 and '08. not to say that synthetic can't be used, of course it can.

 

First, this sounds like you have an actual oil LEAK and not increased usage due to engine wear (maybe a bit of both).

Oil dripping on a hot manifold, for instance, would have a very distinctive smell; so would a coolant leak but dramatically different.

I suggest that you check the oil and coolant levels and then take it BACK to the shop again.
[edit] And since it showed up when it did, I'm firmly in the camp with those who say that a little oil might just have been spilled during the change. But please DO check the level immediately.

Probably not anything serious but it could be. A large amount of oil getting into the CAT converter can cause it to overheat, smell bad AND possibly cause a fire.

Second, I would not bother putting in heavier oil unless it is "high mileage" type because some of the loss might be from worn seals that can be helped by the extra additives.

 

I have to agree, especially coming into winter. To be honest I think that Starcheckered would get greater benefit from checking the oil level more regularly than any changes of grade.

Having to wait for a visit to the mechanic before finding that you have an oil consumption issue is rather like not finding out that your trousers have a huge rip and your arse is hanging out until after a trip to the taylor.

 

Agreed, if the op would simply check his/her oil when purchasing fuel or at least once a month, then they would know when the car started using oil. A ICE simply does not start using oil overnight UNLESS it is abused (overheated, oil ran dry, etc.) It usually happens gradually and over time.

By checking the fluid levels regularly, no motor vehicle operator should ever find themselves saying "my car is using oil". "Never did this before". "Just found out when they changed the oil"...

Ron (dorunron)

 

I agree to this. Especially I’m amazed that people can write long stories to internet (takes time) but not check there oil (is a lot faster).

But sometimes engine can suddenly start using oil without being abused. With some older Toyota engines you can almost diagnose the problem of gummed up oil return holes and/or piston rings if problem starts suddenly. And some have reported that they had this problem in Prius or that the quick fix for this (diesel/solvent into cylinders) did fix there oil consume problem.

 

i wonder what the mechanic found, that led him to tell the o/p he was burning oil?

 

Most likely he just found a low oil level.

 

Or he "found" the mileage on the ODO.