To create the necessary seal for this explosion to generate power, piston rings snap tightly against the cylinder walls. These rings, along with the valve stem seals, act as barriers preventing oil from the sump from entering the combustion chamber.
Internal Combustion Engine Oil Burn: How Degraded Seals Cause Oil to Enter the Combustion Chamber
These small, flexible rubber or synthetic components sit atop each valve guide, preventing oil from the rocker arm assembly from dripping into the intake or exhaust ports. This oil then collects in the combustion chamber and is burned off the next time the engine is started.
When these barriers degrade, crack, or fail to maintain tension, oil is literally pumped into the fire, where it vaporizes and exits as blue or grey smoke. High-mileage engines or vehicles subjected to frequent short-trip driving, which prevents the engine from reaching optimal temperature to burn off contaminants, are particularly susceptible to this type of wear.
Internal Combustion Engine Oil Burn: How Degraded Barriers Cause Oil to Burn
Seeing blue smoke curling from beneath the hood or finding oil consumption rates that seem impossible is a scenario that terrifies any vehicle owner. Misidentifying a leak as internal burning can lead to unnecessary engine repairs, so a visual inspection of the undercarriage for wetness is a critical first step.
More About Why does my car burn oil
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