Oil Burning..

Tw1g007

Member
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2002 Mazda Protege5
So, this seems to be a common problem with these cars. I bought my car about a little over a year ago. When I got it the thing was burning oil like mad. I replaced the spark plugs, wires, coil packs, and valve cover gasket. The problem looked like it was solved. However, after my most recent oil change I went to check the oil and found it below the 'L' line, so I poured almost a whole big bottle of Castrol into it. So, anyways, I was out of town for a month and my car was sitting at home. When I came back and went to drive it, I started it and a big cloud of smoke came out of the car. I turned it off and let it sit, set up my phone to record it in case I was going crazy, hopped back in and lo and behold, smoke came pouring out of the exhaust. Needless to say the oil burning is probably getting worse. I talked to my Uncle, an ex-mechanic, and he told me it was probably either a blown piston ring(s), or valve stem seals... So, I figured, before I went all in on internal parts hunting this problem, if there was anything else it could be. any input would be very much appreciated, thank you.

For the tl;dr crowd... I'm burning oil, what do you think it could be, and how do I fix it? thanks
 
Many have replaced valve seals due to oil burning. I know of none who have had any success in even lessening the oil burning by replacing the valve seals.

Few have done piston rings. From the pictures shown, it looks like that was the cause, but I don't know if it stopped the oil burning all together.

There are many threads on this topic if you do a search. Here's a thread:

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/show...t-improvement-quot-2003-Mazda-Protege-(/page4
 
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Replacing the valve steam oil seals most likely will not solve the problem The valve guides are worn as well and that involves basically a top end rebuild at a machine shop. Plus the piston rings are known to have issues. Basically live with it, rebuild your engine, or replace with a reman or new one.
 
Thanks guys, I'm just going to live with it I guess. Planning on selling it for an MX-5 sometime in the next few months.
 
Good choice. These cars are a lot of trouble. I wish I'd ditched mine the day I bought it.
 
Thanks guys, I'm just going to live with it I guess. Planning on selling it for an MX-5 sometime in the next few months.

Funny.. I'm planning on keeping my P5 and also buying an MX-5 in the next few months. :) Mine is at 110,000 miles and never burned a drop of oil that I can tell. Then again, I've owned it from Day 1, loved on it constantly, and read it bedtime stories. The one time I thought it was burning oil turned out to be the valve cover needing to be tightened.
 
Funny.. I'm planning on keeping my P5 and also buying an MX-5 in the next few months. :) Mine is at 110,000 miles and never burned a drop of oil that I can tell. Then again, I've owned it from Day 1, loved on it constantly, and read it bedtime stories. The one time I thought it was burning oil turned out to be the valve cover needing to be tightened.

Being 19, I can't afford two cars, so the MX-5 will be a daily haha. But other than some spirited driving, I do baby my car. The previous owner pretty much destroyed it though. ****** the trans, it's in the shop rn getting one from a 626 that had 110k (I have 160+k)... It's a superbly fun car, but it's just not that reliable due to the abuse it's taken in the past...
 
Good choice. These cars are a lot of trouble. I wish I'd ditched mine the day I bought it.

Honestly, me too.. It all started with an 02 sensor, when I couldn't even get the exhaust heat shield off, I should've taken the sign haha.
 
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