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Why Does My Car Engine Oil Dry Up Without Physical Leakage - Car Talk (2) - Nairaland

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Re: Why Does My Car Engine Oil Dry Up Without Physical Leakage by greatjoey: 8:04am On Apr 18, 2017
If your engine oil dries up without physical leakage and the engine ain't smoking, it is because the oil you use ain't the right oil for the engine. It is not as thick as the engine requires. Change the oil for a better one.

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Re: Why Does My Car Engine Oil Dry Up Without Physical Leakage by Inova(m): 8:06am On Apr 18, 2017
MARKone:

Before I opened this thread, I already knew it's Honda. Op most complain on Honda cars, especially Accords, is this oil consumption. Same thing I'm currently facing with my EOD. Anyway, I've been told and from my research online, that it is faulty Rings.
Though you might be right but almighty Toyota is also very culpable especially the 2007-2010 Toyota Camry and Corolla.
And you are very right. Its all about the poor design of the piston oil rings that get bad too soon by being blocked thus allowing oil to enter the combustion chamber.
There was a recall for this for Toyota car owners

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Re: Why Does My Car Engine Oil Dry Up Without Physical Leakage by Nobody: 8:08am On Apr 18, 2017
Toyota Camry, approximately 1 liter dries up on every 1200-1500 miles. noticed similar issues with other drivers online, i guess its a company fault that has been corrected on newer models.
Re: Why Does My Car Engine Oil Dry Up Without Physical Leakage by 19naia(m): 8:08am On Apr 18, 2017
I was missing two quarts of engine oil after parking my car in a hotel overnight as i was traveling. I had just put fresh oil before the long journey and had taken the car to the dealer mechanic to thoroughly check the car. They said the head gasket was good with a very insignificant leak. I told them to put new head gasket. They also changed transmission fluid and dropped the transmission pan to clean it and the filter. They went over the car thoroughly and gave me a good bill of mechanically sound vehicle.

So how did i miss 2 out of 5 bottles of oil needed to fill my engine oil needs? How did half of my oil go missing after driving 1500 miles? I looked for oil stains where i parked. Nothing. Zero stains on a clean ground below. I looked in and around the engine bay for signs of oil spray or leak. Nothing at all. I even stopped at an oil service place to have them look and they found no sign of a leak that could possibly lose 2 quarts of oil in just 9 hours of driving.
I bought 2 new bottles of oil and topped off. I drove an additional 1500 miles for a total 3000 mile journey over 6 days. The oil has been intact since and i have even done 2 more oil changes since then. No oil loss since and none prior to that night at the hotel.

There was a man there when i arrived the hotel where my oil loss was noted. He came to the hotel as soon as i entered and was begging there, then i saw him later across the street in a car that was the same make and model as mine. Even similar year model. I began to suspect he was exploring me because of my car. Back of my mind said that the guy was broke and could not afford hotel or food. So he was begging for coffee and snacks at the hotel while he stayed in his car across the street. Of course, no money for food, or hotel, his car may not be in good condition and he was looking to take parts from my car as i slept.

That was what crossed my mind as i slept. And in due form, my car was missing 2 bottles of oil and the suspicious man and his car were nowhere to be seen by morning. That route is notorious for criminals on the run.
Nigeria is also notorious as a place where there is nothing they will not steal. They will steal oil from under the car at night.

Places to look for oil leak. Radiator cooling fluid. Open the radiator cap and the coolant resovoir to look for oil in the coolant. The radiator cap may have oil on the inner side of the cap. That is a sign of head gasket issue or internally cracked or punctured engine block.

The engine bay area on the sides, under and on top. Also the engine oil cap can be removed and observed on the inner side for strange coloured oil residue. That strange color can come from coolant mixing in the oil and churning the oil into a colored mix of oil and coolant.

Also the tail pipe as you mentioned. You may not be observing smoke coming out but if you insert a clothe in to the tail pipe and wipe the inside, the black residue should be black, dry and powdery. Basically the residue/carbon from your carbon fuel. If the cloth is stained wet, it may be oil coating the inside of the exhaust pipe.

Also it is normal to see small amounts of water coming out of the exhaust when the engine is running. Fuel burn produces steam that condenses inside the exhauhst chamber.
But you should not be seeing steady regular flow of water coming from the pipe. Even a steady drip is too much. It must be a very intermittent drip to be considered normal. Engine seals and gaskets can cause coolant to mix into combustion, exhaust or oil areas of the engine. Check your coolant level to see if it drops low. If oil can enter the coolant, coolant can enter the oil and burn in the oil and be carried out the exhaust.
If your coolant and oil are being lost together, you should see discoloring in your oil when you change it, possible to also see oil in you coolant.

If all is well in the vehicle, i say someone is making you supply them with oil free of charge while you sleep. Oil is stolen all over Nigeria, from NNPC to Niger Delta pipelines, and even directly from people's cars. They will steal from every area car ,one by one ,to fill a tanker in a week, to sell for quick money. Never underestimate Nigerian theives.

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Re: Why Does My Car Engine Oil Dry Up Without Physical Leakage by SIRKAY98(m): 8:08am On Apr 18, 2017
How many years is the car Using now?
Re: Why Does My Car Engine Oil Dry Up Without Physical Leakage by prophetfire: 8:10am On Apr 18, 2017
honmusa:

"My engine is shorting oil and is not smoking but instead is water that come out of the exhaust pipe indicating my engine is still ok ""
I get this statement alot from my customer in similar situation. And by the time I just rev the car once @ idle ,the whole neighborhood is already filled with white smoke coming from the exhaust.
Get somebody to check the colour of exhaust coming out from the tailpipe while u rev the car.Your engine is definitely smoking especially if u have been using a wrong oil .You need somebody to confirm this smoking for u while your rev the car .
That water that come out from your exhaust doesn't mean anything ,it just a product of condensation that has occurred overnight , a normal thing for all engine wether smoking or not!!!
Save towards getting a tokunbo engine and desist from using Mobil XHP ,it is a wrong oil .
In case u a still not convinced that your engine is smoking ,if you are in Lagos u can come to my workshop @ Gbagada for diagnosis of your engine compression.
pls why did you say that mobil xhp is a wrong oil? Its the oil I use for my toyota corolla for more than two years.

1 Like

Re: Why Does My Car Engine Oil Dry Up Without Physical Leakage by honmusa(m): 8:11am On Apr 18, 2017
shellworker:


OP if there is no external leakage from your car engine, then there is nothing wrong with the car; it is normal. I use Toyota Camry and in the car manual I read a clause that says, car oil could short in gauge over time depending on usage. In this case the oil should be topped to gauge.

If the shortage does not happen within a short time after regular usage, then it's normal. But if the occurrence is rapid even when the vehicle is not used often, then I will advise u contact your mechanic.

Also note that after car oil change, the oil could drop in gauge when driven. After oil change, do your oil gauging in the morning to top oil.
Op says it drop just within 2 weeks!!!!That is definitely a serious engine issue .
Re: Why Does My Car Engine Oil Dry Up Without Physical Leakage by Lokoyen(m): 8:11am On Apr 18, 2017
honmusa:

"My engine is shorting oil and is not smoking but instead is water that come out of the exhaust pipe indicating my engine is still ok ""
I get this statement alot from my customer in similar situation. And by the time I just rev the car once @ idle ,the whole neighborhood is already filled with white smoke coming from the exhaust.
Get somebody to check the colour of exhaust coming out from the tailpipe while u rev the car.Your engine is definitely smoking especially if u have been using a wrong oil .You need somebody to confirm this smoking for u while your rev the car .
That water that come out from your exhaust doesn't mean anything ,it just a product of condensation that has occurred overnight , a normal thing for all engine wether smoking or not!!!
Save towards getting a tokunbo engine and desist from using Mobil XHP ,it is a wrong oil .
In case u a still not convinced that your engine is smoking ,if you are in Lagos u can come to my workshop @ Gbagada for diagnosis of your engine compression.

what is the best 20w 50 oil then?
Re: Why Does My Car Engine Oil Dry Up Without Physical Leakage by Kaykaymil(m): 8:15am On Apr 18, 2017
Am not a specialist of cars but it seems to be very simple You are using a lighter oil which Your engine is vapourising faster upon heating. that specification is too light for Your engine try using 5W 30 any brand You can lay Your hand on. If symptoms persit try seeing an engine doctor. Mobile XHP might not be too good for that car since its above 100k milleage

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Re: Why Does My Car Engine Oil Dry Up Without Physical Leakage by honmusa(m): 8:15am On Apr 18, 2017
Lokoyen:


what is the best 20w 50 oil then?
20w50 is a wrong oil for that model of Honda .The manufacturer specification is 5w30

3 Likes

Re: Why Does My Car Engine Oil Dry Up Without Physical Leakage by Ladex2012: 8:20am On Apr 18, 2017
honmusa:

"My engine is shorting oil and is not smoking but instead is water that come out of the exhaust pipe indicating my engine is still ok ""
I get this statement alot from my customer in similar situation. And by the time I just rev the car once @ idle ,the whole neighborhood is already filled with white smoke coming from the exhaust.
Get somebody to check the colour of exhaust coming out from the tailpipe while u rev the car.Your engine is definitely smoking especially if u have been using a wrong oil .You need somebody to confirm this smoking for u while your rev the car .
That water that come out from your exhaust doesn't mean anything ,it just a product of condensation that has occurred overnight , a normal thing for all engine wether smoking or not!!!
Save towards getting a tokunbo engine and desist from using Mobil XHP ,it is a wrong oil .
In case u a still not convinced that your engine is smoking ,if you are in Lagos u can come to my workshop @ Gbagada for diagnosis of your engine compression.

How do you mean Mobil XHP is a wrong oil for a car like baby boy.which is betterx please recommend.
Re: Why Does My Car Engine Oil Dry Up Without Physical Leakage by Baadal(m): 8:21am On Apr 18, 2017
somebody should pls come to my aid....i have this issue as well but my car is KIA PICANTO....i normally use mobil oil but someone advised me to change it to Forte Oil(Visco 2000) but all to no avail....i'm fed up with this issue
Re: Why Does My Car Engine Oil Dry Up Without Physical Leakage by nwaiwucharles(m): 8:31am On Apr 18, 2017
What type of nonsence is this, do nairalanders look like mechanics? next page jaaree
Re: Why Does My Car Engine Oil Dry Up Without Physical Leakage by honmusa(m): 8:34am On Apr 18, 2017
Ladex2012:


How do you mean Mobil XHP is a wrong oil for a car like baby boy.which is betterx please recommend.
Sadly ,most cars owners doesn't even know this .
What will be the guide that will determine the kind of oil to use for servicing is the oil viscosity or grade .This is usually written on the oil containers label.
Mobil XHP oil viscosity is 20w50 ,which is the grade of oil for old cars ,generators etc.
The oil viscosity for modern cars is 5w30 depending on the brand u want to patronise, if it is the Mobil brand ,look for Mobil 1 5w30 .Other brands of oil that is 5w30 :mile master ,Lubex,Valvoline, etc

1 Like

Re: Why Does My Car Engine Oil Dry Up Without Physical Leakage by divinelove(m): 8:43am On Apr 18, 2017
Emekayoung:
Wat do i do. My baby boy dries up oil within 2 weeks after servicing. I use mobil XHP 20w 50. Though the engine does not smoke. And i always see vapour coming out of the exhaust tail wen ever i start the car in the morning or wen it's raining. Pls u guys shuld help me out...

Start saving for a toks engine dnt waste ur time n money repairing it.
Re: Why Does My Car Engine Oil Dry Up Without Physical Leakage by Lokoyen(m): 8:43am On Apr 18, 2017
honmusa:

Most cars owners doesn't even know this .
What will be the guide that will determine the kind of oil to use for servicing is the oil viscosity or grade .This is usually written on the oil containers label. Mobil XHP oil viscosity is 20w50 ,which is the grade of oil for old cars ,generators etc.
The oil viscosity for modern cars is 5w30 ,for Mobil brand of oil ,it there Mobil 1 that is 5w30 that u will need to use if you want to use Mobil brand .there is some other brand in the marker bearing 5w30 ,milemaster ,Lubex,

What if the engine is rebuilt do u still think the 20w 50 mobil xhp is not okay?


My advise for the OP is to do a rebuild. We still have people in ibadan that rebuild engine with 2 years guarantee.
Re: Why Does My Car Engine Oil Dry Up Without Physical Leakage by metorichmond(m): 8:52am On Apr 18, 2017
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Re: Why Does My Car Engine Oil Dry Up Without Physical Leakage by honmusa(m): 8:58am On Apr 18, 2017
Lokoyen:


What if the engine is rebuilt do u still think the 20w 50 mobil xhp is not okay?


My advise for the OP is to do a rebuild. We still have people in ibadan that rebuild engine with 2 years guarantee.
I don't recommend engine rebuild becos rebuild done in the local way doesn't last (measurement,torque etc will not done to specification,non access to using original repair kit etc).
The real rebuilt done to engineering specification is expensive and resource intensive .
It is cheaper and safer to just go for tokunbo engine.Simply plug and play !!!!

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Re: Why Does My Car Engine Oil Dry Up Without Physical Leakage by Ladex2012: 9:13am On Apr 18, 2017
honmusa:

Most cars owners doesn't even know this .
What will be the guide that will determine the kind of oil to use for servicing is the oil viscosity or grade .This is usually written on the oil containers label. Mobil XHP oil viscosity is 20w50 ,which is the grade of oil for old cars ,generators etc.
The oil viscosity for modern cars is 5w30 ,for Mobil brand of oil ,it there Mobil 1 that is 5w30 that u will need to use if you want to use Mobil brand .there is some other brand in the marker bearing 5w30 ,milemaster ,Lubex,

Thanks for the knowledge.
Re: Why Does My Car Engine Oil Dry Up Without Physical Leakage by luckydion(m): 9:23am On Apr 18, 2017
Lexusgs430:


After you have topped up the engine oil, while vehicle is parked, place a brown cut cardboard underneath the bonnet on the floor(to check for any external leaks)..
If it's not leaking externally, then it's leaking internally and exiting through your exhaust pipes (does your rear bumper feel oily)?
I would think after all this checks, it points towards head gasket leak................

Ya!!!! correct point towards the solution...check your engine well: all round you probably see it's wet (oiled) somewhere if not all over. ie. after the above check has been carried out. However, if you are sure it isn't smoking..ooooo. I advice you to get professional to check it (even road side good mechanic can do this first). Just branch on your way out to work or any where and ask a good mechanic for a check up. I wud have talked about oil becus non synthetic can..... but u stated the oil u used.

1 Like

Re: Why Does My Car Engine Oil Dry Up Without Physical Leakage by InvertedHammer: 9:23am On Apr 18, 2017
Emekayoung:
Wat do i do. My baby boy dries up oil within 2 weeks after servicing. I use mobil XHP 20w 50. Though the engine does not smoke. And i always see vapour coming out of the exhaust tail wen ever i start the car in the morning or wen it's raining. Pls u guys shuld help me out...
/
Keep topping up.

Some brands are notorious for that. Mostly European cars.
There have been many discussions about this issue in many car listservs and nobody seems to know the solution.

But 2 weeks is too soon.
Re: Why Does My Car Engine Oil Dry Up Without Physical Leakage by doublefreez(m): 9:31am On Apr 18, 2017
My EOD has same issue. havent gone for proper diagnosis, but all my Mechanics confirm there is no physical leakage. I have to top 1 liter of engine oil every 200km.

MARKone:

Before I opened this thread, I already knew it's Honda. Op most complain on Honda cars, especially Accords, is this oil consumption. Same thing I'm currently facing with my EOD. Anyway, I've been told and from my research online, that it is faulty Rings.
Re: Why Does My Car Engine Oil Dry Up Without Physical Leakage by lonelydora: 9:32am On Apr 18, 2017
Emekayoung:
Wat do i do. My baby boy dries up oil within 2 weeks after servicing. I use mobil XHP 20w 50. Though the engine does not smoke. And i always see vapour coming out of the exhaust tail wen ever i start the car in the morning or wen it's raining. Pls u guys shuld help me out...

Have you checked if your 'valve cover gasket' is leaking. Do you see oil anywhere around your valve cover?
Re: Why Does My Car Engine Oil Dry Up Without Physical Leakage by Nuezha(m): 9:35am On Apr 18, 2017
Emekayoung:
Wat do i do. My baby boy dries up oil within 2 weeks after servicing. I use mobil XHP 20w 50. Though the engine does not smoke. And i always see vapour coming out of the exhaust tail wen ever i start the car in the morning or wen it's raining. Pls u guys shuld help me out...

Your engine actually smokes but not at start up or low speed driving.
To confirm, get into a tail car behind your car and let someone drive it in front of you at high speed, say 120-140km/hr.

Reason, your piston rings are intact but your oil sealant rings below the piston rings are chopped off a little bit. Repair work is very tedious cos your engine has to be dropped.

To manage it, drive at low speed and avoid a drive pattern that engages high and low gears intermitently especially when trying to overtake.

1 Like

Re: Why Does My Car Engine Oil Dry Up Without Physical Leakage by Ejanla07: 9:39am On Apr 18, 2017
Emekayoung:
Wat do i do. My baby boy dries up oil within 2 weeks after servicing. I use mobil XHP 20w 50. Though the engine does not smoke. And i always see vapour coming out of the exhaust tail wen ever i start the car in the morning or wen it's raining. Pls u guys shuld help me out...


Check whr you buy the engine oil from.

70% of TOTAL and MOBIL oil in Nigerian market is fake...

2 Likes

Re: Why Does My Car Engine Oil Dry Up Without Physical Leakage by nurusystem(m): 9:39am On Apr 18, 2017
Change the oil rings or the engine oil.
Re: Why Does My Car Engine Oil Dry Up Without Physical Leakage by naijajobx: 9:42am On Apr 18, 2017
Check your exhaust also check the down bot very well.it may be splashing.
Re: Why Does My Car Engine Oil Dry Up Without Physical Leakage by Nobody: 9:47am On Apr 18, 2017
Please kindly replace you PCV valve in ur car. When the valve is bad it drys up the oil. The valve is not more than 2k. i had similar issue and that was what i did to solve the problem. u can check youtube for video about it . most of our mechanic don't know this info.

2 Likes

Re: Why Does My Car Engine Oil Dry Up Without Physical Leakage by Freewoman(f): 10:00am On Apr 18, 2017
Emekayoung:
Wat do i do. My baby boy dries up oil within 2 weeks after servicing. I use mobil XHP 20w 50. Though the engine does not smoke. And i always see vapour coming out of the exhaust tail wen ever i start the car in the morning or wen it's raining. Pls u guys shuld help me out...



May be your village witches at work, no blood to suck, they resorted to engine oil

2 Likes

Re: Why Does My Car Engine Oil Dry Up Without Physical Leakage by honmusa(m): 10:14am On Apr 18, 2017
mienz:
Please kindly replace you PCV valve in ur car. When the valve is bad it drys up the oil. The valve is not more than 2k. i had similar issue and that was what i did to solve the problem. u can check youtube for video about it . most of our mechanic don't know this info.
you are right
Stuck open PCV can also be responsibile for oil shorting best bet,the op should go for diagnosis in a reputable tech shop .This will nail the root of the problem and will eliminate guess work !!!

2 Likes

Re: Why Does My Car Engine Oil Dry Up Without Physical Leakage by Nobody: 11:05am On Apr 18, 2017
MARKone:

Before I opened this thread, I already knew it's Honda. Op most complain on Honda cars, especially Accords, is this oil consumption. Same thing I'm currently facing with my EOD. Anyway, I've been told and from my research online, that it is faulty Rings.

Why won't it dry when people keep using mobil XHP instead of recommended 5w20 oil. I'm a honda guy and I'm on my 3rd Honda, never experienced engine oil drying. Last week I serviced my Pilot and spent over 35k on just fluids. Yes, engine oil cost around 17k, ATF 15k, plus oil filter.

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