High oil consumption

[tc2001]

I have a 2001 Toyota Corolla - I just bought it over a month ago.

It has extraordinarily high oil consumption. Once I had very very low oil level (just barely upto the tip of the stick, yep, so very very low....) so I had an oil change done. I checked the oil level after the guy changed it and it was upto the 2nd mark (so good). Then after a trip of ~900miles, I checked my oil level and it was again very very low - same low level. Since I had just done an oil change I just bought some oil and filled the tank up - had to use 3 quarts to get to the right level. After another trip of ~200miles, my oil level is now back at that very low level. I've checked underneath the car and there seems to be no oil leaks. Why is the oil consumption so high on my car?

I hope it isn't something serious - I spent way too much on this car - well, according to my wealth, and I'd be sad to learn that all that money was wasted, when I could have spent much less for a same year American car!!!

The mileage is about 62,000.

I am a newbee so pls be as detailed as possible.

[WissNX01]

are you producing any noticable smoke from your tail pipe? YOu could have jacked up rings, or if you are using a really cheap brand of oil, it could sludge under the valve cover, but your talking about 6-9 quarts of oil. Check your radiator and the coolant resevoir. Its possible if there is a crack in the block, that oil can leak into your cooling system.

[purrbadkittypurr]

hey tc2001,
I had the same problem with my 2001 toyota corolla. In fact it's at the dealership at this very moment due to the issue. I kept taking it in and they said they could find nothing wrong with it and to keep driving and keep an eye on the oil consumption. Now the crank is gone, number 4 piston is shot and who knows what else is wrong with it. I am not being covered under warranty because they are claiming I "ran it out of oil." This is of course ridiculous. I'd be sure to have it looked at and fixed before you are looking at paying out over $3000 for a rebuild like I am. I've seen articles claiming it's a defect in the short block and should be fixed by the manufacturer. Either way get it fixed before all goes wrong.

[veedubmechanic]

Road trips or 900 miles WILL cause oil consumption. Long distance at highway speeds. ANy car will burn oil if you drive it 900 straight highway miles

[Erndog1369]

Very common problem on that generation Corolla. The oil control rings (piston rings) are stuck. I have seen soo many Corollas with stuck rings. It usually can be avoided by regular oil changes. The only fix..... replacing the piston rings. It's a big/labor intesive job. Could run $1500+

[johnholl]

My wife's corolla uses a lot of oil on long trips. I just add another quart about every month or so. It aint leaking. Not worth putting money into a rebuild with 90K. It is strange that that one posters cylinder went to hell. Is he shure it went to hell, or is he taking their word for it. Anyhow, I'd take Toyota to arbitration, or at leat that dealer for refusing to cover the rebuild. He didn't mention his milage

[johnholl]

BTW, TC2001:

I saved 2000 dollars in 98 by purchasing a Chevy Malibu over a Camary.

Ask me how that decision worked out for me.

Toyota's still beat GM in reliability, hands down. I think you just got a bad one perhaps

[Prizm2001]

I have a 2001 Prizm same engine do the same time, what i do is use 10w 40 oil with lucas oil stabilizer mix 1/4 every oil change slow to burn it. My is 176000 and going at 150000 OBDII CATALYST need to be change, do not change anything else once you get a code of p0141, you will just waste money. DO NOT BELIEVE WHAT THEY SAY the dealer of bad mechanic. by experience already. Now problem with ac climate control on can turn to high, change switch still have the problem.

[wafrederick]

The Corolla engines are junk and I know one yard that sells them easily if they can get one,$1200.00 for an used engine.Economy Auto parts in Muskegon,Mi knows about it from tthe owner,Jimmy.Toyotas do have lots of electrical problems which are very expensive to fix,my father found this out at a seminar by Auto Value parts store,

[ftxlcincy]

My niece just threw a rod in a 1999 with 80000 miles on it and her mechanic told her that this generation of motors is well known for oil consumption. Their's didn't use oil and the rod came as kind of a surprise. After reading the comments here a used engine replacement is out of the question, time to replace. The sad part is they just purchased a newer mini van 2 months ago and got rid of their 94 camry with 210000 miles.

[larry910]

I just purchased a 2001 chevy prizm ( same engine as the corolla ) for my daughter about a month ago. I changed the oil and after about 2 weeks and 1000 miles I checked the oil, and was shocked to see it barely on the end of the dip stick. After reading all the other complaints on this make and model I guess it was a bad choice. I have always thought toyotas to be good cars, I guess I stick with hondas from now on.

[johnholl]

Originally Posted by larry910

I just purchased a 2001 chevy prizm ( same engine as the corolla ) for my daughter about a month ago. I changed the oil and after about 2 weeks and 1000 miles I checked the oil, and was shocked to see it barely on the end of the dip stick. After reading all the other complaints on this make and model I guess it was a bad choice. I have always thought toyotas to be good cars, I guess I stick with hondas from now on.

I'll bet it burns more on long trips. Do like the guy said in the previous post. Use the Lucas Oil Treatment.

Hey! Ya think thats bad... I bought a used Saturn for my wife that used 1 quart every 50 miles!!! No bugs or tailgaters with that 'ol car!

[quick69gto]

As Erndog1369 said, it's the oil control rings. This is a common problem with the '98 thru '02 Corollas. Believe me, I have done my research on this.
I maintain a fleet of 50 plus vehicles with 30 of them being '98 thru '02 Corollas.
We have 5 of them that exhibit the oil consumption problem. One other Corolla finally lost compression so I replaced the engine with a used one. The 5 oil consuming Corollas mileage ranges from 106k to 280k so it can happen early or later.
We do have other Corollas, with the same mileage, that don't eat a drop of oil.

I have tried all the fixes short of a rebuild but nothing worked. You are basically going to have to watch the oil level religiously.

If your in the market for this generation of Corolla, here is a way to tell if the one you're looking at eats oil:
Black soot on the rear bumper above the tail pipe.
If the present owner washed it, run your finger (or a white rag) under the bumper above the tail pipe. They usually miss washing that area.
If your finger (or white rag) comes up covered in normal looking dirt, then the car is fine.
If it comes up covered with black soot, walk away from the car.

Anyway, good luck with your Corolla.