2010 Toyota Camey SE is losing engine oil but no leak found by dealership
Asked by Juanyta Jun 18, 2022 at 08:10 PM about the 2010 Toyota Camry SE
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
2010 Toyota Camry SE is leaking engine oil but the toyota dealership found
no leak, nor is there any leak on my garage floor. They advised they needed
to do an oil change when I just had it changed less than 1500 miles ago for
the oil consumption test when I bring it back in 1100 miles. My vehicle just
turned over 107500 miles, I am not the original owner but purchased it when it
had 20,000 miles and Toyota has done all the work on this vehicle with oil
changes every 5000 miles and any other issues I have had with this vehicle.
Any advice is appreciated.
4 Answers
Your vehicle was recalled some time ago concerning this issue. Google your make ...model....year....and Excessive Oil Consumption. Unfortunately. Your car is more than 10 years old and may no longer be covered. Get back to us with any updates.
It may not be leaking. The engine may be burning oil. Look for a puff of blue smoke from the tailpipe when you start it. Especially when it's been sitting for several hours, like overnight. Also look for blue smoke when you're idling. Like waiting for a traffic light or in line at a drive through. If you see blue smoke in those conditions only, you have worn valve guide seals. If you're seeing blue smoke when you're driving the piston rings are worn and, at 12 years old, the vehicle isn't worth fixing. Also, check your PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) valve, if equipped. Make sure it's not clogged and the hose that plugs into the valve isn't clogged. Replace it if it's clogged or if it's never been replaced. Do you have oil in the air filter box? If you do that's a sign the PCV system is not working properly or the engine is worn causing excessive blow by. With the age and mileage on the vehicle it's not excessive to add a quart of oil every 1000 to 1500 or so miles. I wouldn't bother with the "oil consumption test" on this vehicle either. Older models use fluids, it's a normal thing. This test is a money grab for the Dealer. They're going to tell you that the engine is worn out and you need several thousand dollars of repairs. Don't buy into it! Check the PCV system for proper operation and keep an eye on the oil level from now on. When it's a quart low, add a quart and keep driving it! Hope that helps! Jim
Do as listed above. Make sure it has the correct oil for the engine type. As for oil consumption test, you can do it yourself, make sure the oil level is full then write down the mileage, then checking the oil level everyday and when it hits the 1 quart low mark check the mileage driven, if it is 1 quart in 300 miles then it needs the engine overhauled or replaced.
If all else fails above, go to Walmart or AutoZone and get a can of RESTORE. This will help if your pistons are not sealing well and your engine is simply suffering from low compression. If your valve guide seals are worn, it may help, but if they're cracked it won't. The good news is, if it's a valve guide seal issue, that job IS probably worth doing even on an old car because Toyotas run forever if the piston rings are good.
