2010 Toyota Camey SE is losing engine oil but no leak found by dealership

Asked by Juanyta Jun 18, 2022 at 08:10 PM about the 2010 Toyota Camry SE

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

2010 Toyota Camry SE is leaking engine oil but the toyota dealership found
no leak, nor is there any leak on my garage floor.  They advised they needed
to do an oil change when I just had it changed less than 1500 miles ago for
the oil consumption test when I bring it back in 1100 miles.  My vehicle just
turned over 107500 miles, I am not the original owner but purchased it when it
had 20,000 miles and Toyota has done all the work on this vehicle with oil
changes every 5000 miles and any other issues I have had with this vehicle.  
Any advice is appreciated.

4 Answers

21,360

Your vehicle was recalled some time ago concerning this issue. Google your make ...model....year....and Excessive Oil Consumption. Unfortunately. Your car is more than 10 years old and may no longer be covered. Get back to us with any updates.

155,265

It may not be leaking. The engine may be burning oil. Look for a puff of blue smoke from the tailpipe when you start it. Especially when it's been sitting for several hours, like overnight. Also look for blue smoke when you're idling. Like waiting for a traffic light or in line at a drive through. If you see blue smoke in those conditions only, you have worn valve guide seals. If you're seeing blue smoke when you're driving the piston rings are worn and, at 12 years old, the vehicle isn't worth fixing. Also, check your PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) valve, if equipped. Make sure it's not clogged and the hose that plugs into the valve isn't clogged. Replace it if it's clogged or if it's never been replaced. Do you have oil in the air filter box? If you do that's a sign the PCV system is not working properly or the engine is worn causing excessive blow by. With the age and mileage on the vehicle it's not excessive to add a quart of oil every 1000 to 1500 or so miles. I wouldn't bother with the "oil consumption test" on this vehicle either. Older models use fluids, it's a normal thing. This test is a money grab for the Dealer. They're going to tell you that the engine is worn out and you need several thousand dollars of repairs. Don't buy into it! Check the PCV system for proper operation and keep an eye on the oil level from now on. When it's a quart low, add a quart and keep driving it! Hope that helps! Jim

307,265

Do as listed above. Make sure it has the correct oil for the engine type. As for oil consumption test, you can do it yourself, make sure the oil level is full then write down the mileage, then checking the oil level everyday and when it hits the 1 quart low mark check the mileage driven, if it is 1 quart in 300 miles then it needs the engine overhauled or replaced.

1 people found this helpful.
240

If all else fails above, go to Walmart or AutoZone and get a can of RESTORE. This will help if your pistons are not sealing well and your engine is simply suffering from low compression. If your valve guide seals are worn, it may help, but if they're cracked it won't. The good news is, if it's a valve guide seal issue, that job IS probably worth doing even on an old car because Toyotas run forever if the piston rings are good.

Your Answer:

Camry

Looking for a Used Camry in your area?

CarGurus has 1,099 nationwide Camry listings starting at $2,500.

Postal Code:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Reelin68
    Reputation
    34,290
  • #2
    Tony Ciccotelli
    Reputation
    19,180
  • #3
    Tony Ciccotelli
    Reputation
    5,530
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Honda Accord
52 Great Deals out of 978 listings starting at $2,995
Used Toyota Corolla
143 Great Deals out of 2,269 listings starting at $3,495
Used Honda Civic
206 Great Deals out of 4,071 listings starting at $2,877
Used Toyota RAV4
151 Great Deals out of 3,007 listings starting at $4,500
Used Toyota Camry Hybrid
19 Great Deals out of 205 listings starting at $7,995
Used Toyota Avalon
3 Great Deals out of 36 listings starting at $6,995
Used Toyota Tacoma
36 Great Deals out of 786 listings starting at $9,975
Used Nissan Altima
35 Great Deals out of 667 listings starting at $1,995
Used Lexus IS
18 Great Deals out of 399 listings starting at $599
Used Toyota 4Runner
26 Great Deals out of 536 listings starting at $14,791
Used Toyota Highlander
32 Great Deals out of 835 listings starting at $7,498
Used Lexus ES
17 Great Deals out of 214 listings starting at $5,900
Used Dodge Charger
36 Great Deals out of 865 listings starting at $5,995
Used Honda CR-V
187 Great Deals out of 5,043 listings starting at $440

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.