Proper awareness of oil consumption is necessary to keep a motor running consistently and efficiently for a long period of time. Excessive oil burning can come from several factors, including heavily worn, broken, or missing valve guides; damaged rings; and leaks. Because valve guides and piston rings have a big impact on oil consumption, these are good places to start when troubleshooting excessive oil burning in an engine.
Check the spark plugs. An engine that burns too much oil will often damage the spark plugs.
Repair or replace the valve guides. Unless you are an experienced home mechanic, it is advisable to hire a professional to complete this task.
Switch to a higher viscosity oil. If you are using 10W-30 oil, for instance, try using 10-40 oil instead.
Fix any leaks in parts such as valve covers, timing covers, or oil pan gaskets by replacing these parts.
Replace worn or broken piston rings. Low engine compression is a sign of worn or broken piston rings.
