No oil in my engine ???

[streetenvy]

My oil change is due soon, but I checked my oil level and dam near no oil. I checked under the car no oil leak the pan is a a little greasy no oil puddles. Don't know if it's related but when I leave the car running it blow thin white smoke ???

 

[Black3G]

If there are no external leaks present, then you're burning oil.

 

[WES_393]

The dipstick doesn't show total oil level. The high and low marks are 1 quart in difference with maybe 1/2 quart showing below those marks, so your about 1.5 quarts low.

Like Black3g said, if you don't see any leaks then you are likely burning the oil. It's normal for engines to consume some oil as they wear out. Being only 1.5 low between changes doesn't point to any serious damage or cause for concern.

Edit- totally missed the part about white smoke. That is not a good sign. I'd run a compression and leak down test asap.

 

[rEclipserGST]

But being low on oil & and white smoke is something to be concerned about.

 

[99ECLIPSEGSXDSM]

Did you check your turbo for shaft play? My turbo burnt oil right before it completely went on me.

 

[born2tune]

I dont want to insult your intelligence but allow me to ask you:

Are you checking your oil level with the engine running or engine off?

 

[Rikolas]

Seems like you're burning oil if there isn't any leaks. Are you 100% sure its white? And when does it smoke?

 

[My1GLaser]

IMO, if its low on oil and smoking white then that points to oil going directly into the exhaust and getting burnt. (it most likely has a slightly blue color that isn't easily distinguishable and mostly looks white) Burnt oil is known to produce blue smoke, but that's normally when it enters the combustion chamber.

I would suspect worn out turbo, leaking exh valve stem seals, excessive crankcase pressure backing oil up in the turbo and pushing past seals into the turbine housing.

 

[NHerron]

I dont want to insult your intelligence but allow me to ask you:

Are you checking your oil level with the engine running or engine off?

Somehow I don't think checking oil on a running engine would ever result in someone interpreting a low oil level.

 

[BLOHS7844]

Somehow I don't think checking oil on a running engine would ever result in someone interpreting a low oil level.

Wouldn't a fair amount of oil be pumping around? I would think that should show a good difference. I don't really know how much but I would think you should see a significant change

 

[And_44]

Somehow I don't think checking oil on a running engine would ever result in someone interpreting a low oil level.

I was curious about this.... So tried it LONG time ago. Mind you was right after an oil change and was wondering about it after so I know the oil level was at the full mark.

But with the oil at operating temp and engine idling the oil level was barely showing on tip of dip stick. Makes a difference. HUGE difference.

Think you have the oil running up to head down inside block coating surfaces, turbo, oil cooler, oil filter housing.

Your supposed to check it after all that settles down into bottom of engine.

 

[NHerron]

That's how you check automatic transmission fluid level -with the engine running. But you don't check engine oil with the engine running because the crank whips the oil around and oil level will appear unpredictably higher due to sloshing etc

 

[streetenvy]

Well I know how to check oil I am a Honda tech that hates Honda and yes I would say the smoke is a little blue, the car only smoke when it's in neutral and some times coming outta of first car runs great other wise I was thing valve seals are leaking that cause it to smoke just not sure on the oil burning

 

[GSTurbo1]

Replace HG and Re-ring

I was burning oil bad but have a 3 inch all the back, it's really hard to see that you are burning oil with these cars.

 

[99ECLIPSEGSXDSM]

Why is everyone jumping to the conclusion that his motor is bad? He hasn't even checked his turbo. A turbo is alot easier and cheaper then rebuilding a motor.

 

[bryanwheat]

Why is everyone jumping to the conclusion that his motor is bad? He hasn't even checked his turbo. A turbo is alot easier and cheaper then rebuilding a motor.

Agreed, or the possibility of old valve seals.

 

[bring_1]

IMO, if its low on oil and smoking white then that points to oil going directly into the exhaust and getting burnt. (it most likely has a slightly blue color that isn't easily distinguishable and mostly looks white) Burnt oil is known to produce blue smoke, but that's normally when it enters the combustion chamber.

I would suspect worn out turbo, leaking exh valve stem seals, excessive crankcase pressure backing oil up in the turbo and pushing past seals into the turbine housing.

Nope, white smoke could be coolant, meaning head gasket. If your burning enough oil that it smokes out the tail pipe it will be a blueish color and the smell is unmistakable. Coolant is going to smell sort of sweet. Oil will not. However if enough oil is passing by the rings or through the turbo that its smoking white you'd probably be more than a quart and a half low after a couple thousand miles. Compression test. and get that turbo checked out. Couple hours under the hood and you will know for sure. I had a mazda with bad rings that smoked like a battle ship but that was a LOT of oil passing by the rings. Also the plugs on that car were horrible, it was easy to see the oil was burning in the combustion chamber as there was lots of coking on the spark plugs.

 

[streetenvy]

The color of the smoke could be blueish but hard to tell I try a different turbo and replacing my cables that's what I think is causing my problems that's guy's for all all your help love this forum

 

[Rikolas]

It sounds like valve stem seals. Look at your exhaust manifold and see if it looks damp.