Car Burning Oil Repair Costs - How & Why

Are you topping up your oil more frequently? It might be a sign that your car is burning oil faster than usual.

Typical car burning oil repair costs go from £100 for simple fixes, right up to £800 to £2,000+ for major engine work.

There are a few common reasons behind excess oil usage, and we’ll explain these and the potential costs for your car in the article below.

Key takeaways

How much does it cost to repair a car that’s burning oil?

Fixing a car that’s burning oil can be a quick, inexpensive job under £200 for UK drivers.

However, it could also be a few hundred pounds for worn seals or gaskets, or a serious, pricier engine repair costing £800 to over £2,000.

Whatever the cause, you can use car repair finance to spit the costs into interest-free repayments.

Here are the common issues and respective costs associated with this problem:

Potential Cause	Cost (£)
Valve cover gasket leak cost	£75 – £500
PCV valve replacement	£50 – £150
Rear main seal leak cost	£450 – £2,000
Oil gasket leak repair cost	£125 – £375

Factors that affect repair burning oil costs

Depending on which part is damaged, car burning oil repair costs vary.

There are simple fixes like seals or gaskets that are cheap, but there could also be internal engine work that needs to be done.

Key factors that influence the price include:

Labour price and time
Car manufacturer and model
Accessibility of parts
Location of the mechanic

How long does a car burning oil repair take?

This repair can take between 1 hour and several days. If it’s a simple fix like a leaking seal, that’s going to take a short amount of time.

If your car's burning oil repair is a bigger one, like replacing parts of the engine, it can take a few working days.

Why is your car burning oil?

When a car is burning oil, it signals that something inside the engine isn’t working or sealing as it should.

The main suspects are usually:

1. Worn piston rings

Piston rings wear out because they seal the gap between the pistons and cylinders.

If this is the case, blue smoke will appear when turning the car on.

2. Valve seal problems

In older engines, valves can crack due to wear and allow oil to drip out.

3. PCV valve issues

PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) valves could also be the culprit. This is an engine pressure problem causing oil to go into the wrong places.

4. Worn cylinder walls

High-mileage engines can have worn cylinder walls, which allows oil to pass into the combustion chamber. This is a serious repair and often costly.

5. High-mileage engine wear

As engines age, internal components loosen and seals lose efficiency, making oil burning more likely.

6. Using the wrong type of oil

Oil that’s too thin can slip past seals more easily. Always use the grade recommended for your vehicle to keep the engine healthy.

Common causes of burning oil

Sometimes, people think that burning oil is normal and to be expected with age and usage, but it can also be a very serious car problem.

Here’s a quick checklist of reasons for burning oil:

Worn-out pistons
Hard valve stem seals
PCV system failure
Worn turbo seals
Leaking seals or gaskets
Old oil

Typical burning oil repairs and what they involve

Your mechanic may suggest one of the following repairs:

PCV changes

The PCV system may need the valve or hoses replaced. This helps control oil pressure and prevents excess oil from entering the engine.

Replacing valve seals

Worn valve seals allow oil to leak into the combustion chamber. This repair involves removing parts from the top of the engine and fitting new seals to stop the leaks.

Pistons replacement

If the pistons or piston rings are worn, the engine may need to be opened to replace them.

This is a labour-intensive repair, but essential for restoring proper compression and stopping oil burning.

Turbo rebuild

In turbocharged cars, worn turbo seals can cause oil to enter the intake. Rebuilding or replacing the turbo restores proper function and prevents oil burning.

Gasket replacement

Older cars often suffer from hardened or cracked gaskets. Replacing them ensures a proper seal and stops oil leaks that can lead to burning.

Signs your car is burning oil

Suspect that your car is burning too much oil? Here are some signs to look out for:

Blue or bluish smoke from the exhaust when you start the car
Oil levels drop quickly, but there are no leaks
Oil smell after stopping the engine
The engine lacks power
The engine is rough
Oil needs to be added more often than usual
Warning light because is too low

Is it worth fixing a car that is burning oil?

Yes, a car that is only burning oil is worth fixing. If only a gasket or seal needs to be changed, then it’s worth fixing.

On the other hand, if you have an old engine and a car that is not worth a lot, it might not be worth it. A mechanic can help you decide.

Ways to prevent your car from burning oil

It’s better to prevent your car from burning oil up instead of making fixes down the road.

Here’s what you can do to prevent issues:

Top up oil when needed
Check oil levels frequently
Change oil and oil filter when needed
Use the correct oil viscosity for your car
Let the engine warm up
Fix small leaks on time
Avoid running the engine when it’s low on oil
Maintain the PCV system

Can you drive if your car is burning oil?

Yes, you can drive your car if it’s burning oil. However, it’s not recommended.

You need to keep the oil topped up to avoid running the engine dry, which can cause serious damage.

Driving without addressing the issue risks further engine wear and more expensive repairs, so it’s best to get it checked as soon as possible.

Burning oil’s impact on MOT and emissions

Burning oil will impact both your MOT and emission output.

Excessive oil burning often produces blue smoke from the exhaust, which can cause an MOT failure.

Light oil burning might not fail the test, but it will still increase emissions and should be addressed promptly.

Does burning oil damage an engine?

Yes, even light oil burning will damage the engine eventually, as it wears the engine out. Even low oil burns cause extra heat inside the engine and can lead to the engine seizing.

Final thoughts

Burning oil is a common problem, especially for older cars. Still, this doesn’t mean the end of your car's life cycle.

Most of these fixes are quick and easy to book. Don’t put them off or you might face significant repairs down the road!

Split the cost with Bumper

No matter the cause of your car’s oil problem, you can use a Bumper car repair loan to split the repair fees into interest-free repayments.

Apply online for up to £5,000 and choose from 1,000s of trusted repairers