2007 Buick Enclave Car Maintenance and Repair Question:
My car needs a quart of oil just before the next oil change. Mechanics cannot find evidence of a leak. I use 5W30 weight oil. Would 10W30 help?
Maria asked on Oct 16th, 2010, about a Buick Enclave
Automotive Expert Answers:
Maria,
You may not have a visible oil leak, but it may be "using/burning" oil out the tail pipe. Take a look at your exhaust pipe, is it black a sooty?
You may be experiencing "blow-by" which is a term in relation to oil passing by the piston rings. 10w30 would not solve this problem. If you have not yet had a dye test in your oil, I also recommend this procedure, which is fairly inexpensive...a black light dye is injected into the system where you run for about 50 miles of circulation where if there is an external leak it can be detected by a black light.
Amanda J Valle, Dealer, Certified Mechanic at AMSOIL answered on Nov 19th, 2010
Hi Maria,
That is a great question. It is possible they can not find a leak because there is no leak. Sometimes as the engine ages, oil tends to build up inside the engine and cause the oil to burn. In extreme cases, you would see some smoke coming out the back. By using heavier weight oil, you are masking the problem. Maybe a better solution would be to fix the cause of the problem. When was the last time you had a tune-up? The pcv valve allows the oil at the top of the engine to breathe. If the valve is clogged, it will also cause oil build up.
Mechanically yours,
Audra
Audra Fordin, Owner at Great Bear Auto Shop answered on Nov 19th, 2010
Cars normally burn a quart of oil between oil changes. Changing to 10w30 could help.
Barb Petrey, President - DBK Enterprises Inc at Jiffy Lube answered on Oct 20th, 2010
Hello Maria*If your vehicle has over 50,000 miles I would use 10w 30 during colder months and 10w 40 in the summer. If the engine is not leaking oil*the only other cause for oil loss is that the engine is burning it*indicative of piston ring or valve guide/seal issues. Hope this helps; thanks Super Girls Auto.
Laurie Sarno, Co-Owner at Super Girls Auto answered on Oct 20th, 2010
Dear Maria,
You should use the oil that the manufacturer recommends. It*s possible that you*re just burning the oil. If you have high mileage, meaning over 100,000, this is not unusual. My 88 Toyota burns about a quart between oil changes and has 295,000 miles.
If you don*t have high mileage then you should have your engine checked. It could be the oil is getting past the rings or the valves.
Lori Johnson
www.ladiesstartyourengines.com
Lori Johnson, Owner and Instructor at Ladies Start Your Engines answered on Oct 20th, 2010
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