I have a 93 ES 300 and it is using 1 qt of oil about every 1000 miles. I just got the value cover gaskets replace but it is still doing it. it only smokes a little when i start the car but don't smoke everytime i start it. do anyone know what the problem could be.

 

How many miles do you have?

 

over 157,000 miles. Do you think that is the problem? The car runs fine, it starts everytime and like I said it smokes just a little. By the way thinks for the reply!

 

Usually when a car actually burns oil ( especially one with 157K like yours) and you see blue or bluish-white smoke, it is either worn valve seals or worn-out piston rings allowing oil to be sucked into the cylinders and lit off with the air-fuel mixture by the spark plugs. If this is the case, you may need a ring job or a top-end rebuild. Actually, believe it or not, 800-1000 miles per quart, while not acceptable by the average car owner such as you or me, is what many auto manufacturers consider acceptable when it comes to the threshold of having to do warranty work or replacing an engine. Usually they won't rebuild or replace a new engine if you get any more miles per quart than this.

If your valves and rings are OK, then perhaps the smoke you see could be the result of a small leak somewhere running down on a hot engine part. if this is the case, the smoke probably won't be coming from the tailpipe...it will be coming out from around the sides or front of the hood. Have the engine cleaned and then look for visible leaks. In extreme cases, dye can be put in the oil or special infrared lights used to pinpoint a leak.

 

i got the front value cover gasket replace about a month ago. what if is it the rings, how much would that cost to repair?

 

I think I need a valve cover gasket job too.. Mine is ok when I start and its cold, but when I drive somewhere and kill the car... SMOKE!! Alot of it. I think its oil burning off the exhaust manifold..

 

Rear Main Seal is notorious for leaking onto the exhaust manifold in our cars.

 

if it is the rear main seal how much will that cost to fix?