1989 Toyota Tercel buring oil, what can I do?

[Padriac]

My g-friend just purchased a 1989 Toyota Tercel from yer cousin (sigh... bad move on her part without letting anyone check it out). Its only got about 150 000 km (93 000 miles).

She did get it on a pretty good deal so I'm inclined not to yell at her j/k <really I'm just joking because do you know how badly she'd hurt me)

Anyways, I've gone through and replaced the air filter, spark plugs, distributor cap, spark plug wires, checked the fluids and topped up where necessary. I still have to replace the fuel filter because it was kinda awkard to get off so I just left it for now. I'll do an oil change and filter during the weekend but will probably just get a local shop to do it since it will save me mucho time while I'm busy working. I also already replaced the valve cover gasket hoping that, that would help with the oil burning problem (maybe it was leaking).

There was no visible leaks in my driveway or garage during two days so I don't suppose its dripping? So what can I check, change, or do to fix this?

Thanks

Padriac

 

[vi edit]

How much oil? It's really not uncommon for a 13 year old car to burn *some* oil.

 

[bmacd]

are you sure it's oil and not tranny fluid?

-=bmacd=-

 

[HappyPuppy]

If there aren't any drips it would seem obvious that oil isn't leaking. If it's burning a quart of oil every 1000 miles or so that would perfectly normal. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[BenRosey]

If it is going through only a little oil, then no serious problem.

If the oil is ending up in the coolant system, then a SERIOUS problem. (head gasket)

If the oil is barreling out the exhaust like a smoker's cafe, then a SERIOUS problem. (piston seals)

It sounds like the first scenario is the case.

 

[MajesticMoose]

i remember when i was looking at a tercel a while back finding that burning a little oil was a common problem with them. There may have been a service bulletin about it so you should check the NHTSA website.

 

[silverpig]

If it burns oil at the right rate, and you keep topping it up, you won't ever have to do a full out oil change, as it happens by itself....


hehehehe

 

[bmacd]

Originally posted by: MajesticMoose
i remember when i was looking at a tercel a while back finding that burning a little oil was a common problem with them. There may have been a service bulletin about it so you should check the NHTSA website.

linkified

check out the consumer complaints as well as the safety recalls.

-=bmacd=-

 

[Padriac]

vi_edit - not sure how much oil. She's only had it for 3 weeks, I just know that when she first got it I put in a litre (how much is that in a US measurement? just over a quart) and with relatively light driving, to and from work (15 kms each way), 3 weeks later I'm down about the same although not quite as much. I'm going to try and keep track of it a little better this time.

bmacd - I don't think it was tranny fluid then? since the oil is actually down.

HappyPuppy - it seems as though its burning more than that although I'm going to try to monitor it a bit more over the coming weeks.

 

[Padriac]

Damn you guys in OT are quick Thanks for the link I'm just checking it out right now.

It appears as though there is some smoke coming out of the exhaust, I didn't mention it earlier because I didn't think it was related. If thats the case then is it screwed?

 

[notfred]

replacing the piston rings and valve seals will likely fix your problem.

 

[zephyrprime]

notfred's right. Of course, doing those things is pretty expensive. Also check out this other thread concerning the same topic.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Rebuilding the engine is way to much money to spend on an 89 tercel. Run thicker oil and drive it untill there is so much smoke coming out the back that people think your Bond, James Bond and then send it to the crusher. Also check the PCV valve. A bad one of those can cause it to go through some oil.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
Rebuilding the engine is way to much money to spend on an 89 tercel. Run thicker oil and drive it untill there is so much smoke coming out the back that people think your Bond, James Bond and then send it to the crusher. Also check the PCV valve. A bad one of those can cause it to go through some oil.

Yeah..

If its the rings, the engine is wearing(worn) out.. You can still drive it until it doubles as a mosquito fogger if you wish, though. No harm.. although you may see some nasty looks in your rear view mirror as you accelerate from a light.

 

[Padriac]

Ok well, a PCV only costs like $4 CA which is dirt cheap. I just called and thats the price he gave me, does that sound right?

I know how to replace that as it easy. As you can tell I am by no means a mechanic however the other replacements and top ups were easy. I purchased the "Haynes Repair Manual" and it is very helpful.

As far as putting out big dollars, anything more than a couple of hundred will be to much I think considering the cost of the vehicle ($1200US)

I will purcahse the PCV valve and change, however there is a section on both the piston rings and valve seals. Is this the hardest job ever? How difficult do you think this would be (I heard the world rebuild and that is scary I think)? Any estimates on difficulty? Cost?

 

[Eli]

It depends.

It sounds like you're fairly mechanically minded, however.. when you start talking about rebuilds..

It's not worth it to take an engine apart just to replace the rings. You'll most likely find that the rest of the engine is pretty worn out, also. So you'll want to pretty much replace, machine, or otherwise fix just about every friction surface in the engine.

I really don't know how much it would cost for parts. It's really not worth it though, not unless you get a big stiffy when you take an engine apart. It would probably be much more worth it to just buy a new engine, if you're hell bent on keeping the car.

I'd imagine you could find them for pretty cheap.

On the other hand, you may want to question the rest of the car. The engine shouldn't be worn out at 93k.. It doesen't sound like the previous owners maintained it very well. On the other hand, we don't even know if the engine is indeed worn out yet.

When you changed the plugs, did the old ones appear fouled at all?

 

[danzig]

I used to have a 1961 Ford Dump Truck that smoked like a James Bond car - 1 quart every 30 or 40 miles . It got to where we would go get peoples used oil - someone even gave me a case of 6 gallons of chainsaw bar oil that we used in this beast . Man , we got some looks

 

[Padriac]

Ok I just re-read that last post of mine... I sound completely retarded. I missed a whole bunch of words LOL I think I went into caveman mode for a minute. Apparently watching t.v. and typing is difficult.

Anyways... the plugs were pretty fouled, it wasn't firing on all the cylinders until after I replaced the plugs actually (it sounded like crap before the replacement, now it sounds way better and doesn't idle like sh*t).

Its not that I'm really deadset on keeping the vehicle running, just that I would like it to get her through the school year, possibly the next year too. If its not worth doing the replacement, what oil should I use (rating)? or what can I do to make it last a little longer? Remember I live in Canada, so it gets cold, just in case that means anything for the oil thickness.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: danzig
I used to have a 1961 Ford Dump Truck that smoked like a James Bond car - 1 quart every 30 or 40 miles . It got to where we would go get peoples used oil - someone even gave me a case of 6 gallons of chainsaw bar oil that we used in this beast . Man , we got some looks

You put chainsaw bar oil in an engine? :Q No wonder it smoked! I think 3-in-1 oil is thicker.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Padriac
Ok I just re-read that last post of mine... I sound completely retarded. I missed a whole bunch of words LOL I think I went into caveman mode for a minute. Apparently watching t.v. and typing is difficult.

Anyways... the plugs were pretty fouled, it wasn't firing on all the cylinders until after I replaced the plugs actually (it sounded like crap before the replacement, now it sounds way better and doesn't idle like sh*t).

Its not that I'm really deadset on keeping the vehicle running, just that I would like it to get her through the school year, possibly the next year too. If its not worth doing the replacement, what oil should I use (rating)? or what can I do to make it last a little longer? Remember I live in Canada, so it gets cold, just in case that means anything for the oil thickness.

Hmm.. Doesen't sound good. It will probably get her through the school year, barring any other problems develop..

The thing that sucks about the thicker oil recomendation is that.. yeah, it will help seal things up.. but as you mention, it gets cold in canada.. when you use an oil thats too thick when its cold, your engine lacks lubrication until it warms up.. and that just compounds the problem even more.

Is what I would do.. is maybe put just a slightly thicker oil in it.. and then get this stuff called Motor Honey. It's widely available around here... seems like just about every place carries it. Its viscosity is literally like honey when it's cold. It thickens your oil a little.. but I think the biggest benefit is that it has a tendancy to coat everything in the engine with a sticky, oily film.. lol

It's actually quite annoying when you go to take the engine apart, and everything inside is covered with gooey stuff, for lack of a better term.. lol

 

[Padriac]

Alright I appreciate the advice from everyone.

Eli thanks for all of the advice. I think I will look into seeing what the cost of having the rings and such done by a friend of mine that works at a garage.

Most likely however, I will try and do the minor items in order to take care of it and hope that it lasts for a little while before it transforms into a bond car. Thanks again for the advice everyone.

 

[Eli]

That's the best thing you can do. Take care of all the minor things, and make sure you keep it full of good, clean oil. That will prolong its life the longest.

 

[The Stigenator]

apparently tercels burn oil after a certain mileage.

my friend chris & I both run 1994 tercel and while i have a higher mileage than him he started burning before me.

we both are doing piston rebuild this weekend possibly.