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Why does a car Oil consumption

Oil consumption

As we have told you on other occasions, the engine oil is essential for the life of the engine. It is responsible for lubricating parts such as the crankshaft, connecting rods, valves, camshafts, rings, and cylinders, which are in constant motion, rubbing against each other. A thin layer of oil separates these parts, protecting the motor from severe and accelerated wear. We shareWhy does a car Oil consumption.

But does that imply that there is an oil consumption? It is an article that usually generates a lot of discussions, hence. To explain the common causes that cause the loss of oil in a car we have the help of the experts

It can be understood as normal a consumption of one liter of oil per 1,000 kilometers, however, there is nothing established, since the consumption depends on the type of engine, the type of oil used and the driving style. For example, if we perform a conservative driving, we will hardly notice variations in the oil level when measuring it with the rod. It is easy to detect when a car consumes oil because the smoke that comes out of the exhaust will turn blue.

Beyond that there are leaks, external (easily identifiable) and internal, the latter more complicated to identify and solve … where does this oil expense come from? Well, in general, three points, we can quickly identify:

Oil consumption by piston lubricationOil consumption

The oil lubricates the space between the pistons and the walls of the cylinders. Part of this oil enters the combustion chamber, where it burns. When the motor rotates at high speeds, the number of lubricating oil increases so that the amount of oil consumed increases. This process is divided into three phases:

Admission, the piston leaves a layer of oil that permeates the cylinder.

Compression, the oil is conducted to the combustion chamber through the fire segments.

Descent, the walls are impregnated with oil that is burned along with the fuel by the exhaust.

If an engine does not burn oil it means that there is no oil layer necessary between the piston and the cylinder, which would indicate that there is no lubrication. Depending on the clearances between the parts, more or less lubricant will enter the combustion chamber. New engines consume less oil due to less slack between parts.

A motor ends its useful life when there is excess play between cylinders and segments. Because too much oil goes into the combustion chamber that burns coming out of the exhaust. The symptoms to identify this problem are the blue smoke that comes out of the exhaust. And the performance of the engine, which decreases due to the loss of compression.

Oil consumption due to valve lubricationOil consumption

A valve is a kind of long nail with a large head. The mixture of air and fuel enters through them and the residual gases leave the combustion caused by the movement.

The oil lubricates the space between the valves and the valve guides. As with the lubrication of the piston, part of this oil enters the combustion chamber, where it burns.

The intake valve is the one that allows the entry of the mixture for combustion. The stems of the valves prevent the oil from getting there. But there is always a minimum layer of oil that burns in the combustion chamber.

The oil consumption can also be caused by the valve seals, which do not allow the oil to go down to the combustion chamber. When the piston begins to lower, it absorbs the mixture that passes through the gap left by the valve when it opens. This is why there is a higher oil consumption when the vacuum is greater in this hole. Such as when the engine is idling or decelerating.

Oil is also consumed through the exhaust valve, in this case. It evaporates due to the high temperatures caused by the gases themselves

Oil consumption due to gases escaping from the cylinderOil consumption

The oil mixes with the gases that escape from the cylinder, which are captured by the positive ventilation system of the crankcase and are sent to the combustion chamber, where they burn.

The amount of gas in the cylinder increases when the engine runs at high speeds. And more gases, higher oil consumption.

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