Gunky Engine + Burning Oil - Tips For Cleaning?

[Jonathan Bailey]

Hi all,

We've had a 2006 1.0 T3 Yaris for nearly a year now. Been lovely except needing a new clutch early on. I know it is sometimes just one of those things that needs doing and I got the car at a good price anyway.

The only other issue which is getting more annoying is that is burns some oil. I've been underneath and there is definitely no leak. My 2001 Corolla uses some oil too but it has been the most reliable car out of everyone I know. I've never had to have anything repaired to it (except maybe a new tyre and a bulb). So I learnt to live with it.

I was topping up the oil for the yaris this evening with a head torch on and was able to see clearly the crap inside the engine (see attached photos). Is it a sign of the engine being shot or is it just the engine needing a good clean (give it some engine cleaner with a fresh oil change). Any tips or best tools for the job? Maybe this is contributing to the car burning oil? Has anyone else moved up to using a thicker oil?

PS. It was taken in for a full service just after we bought it. We've done enough miles for it to be due for its next one anyway. We've had to add nearly 4 litres over the past 4 months. It has done about 2000 miles since then, all short tips except one long drive on the motorway.

Thanks as always!

Jonathan

[MEP's Yaris GS]

That looks like normal deposits and a sign the engine isn't new. Its not major carbon build up so is nothing to worry about, although does indicate it may not have had all its required oil changes in the past.

Do NOT use any oil supplements, often snake oil, and if they do work they can dislodge any potential crap and it can then cause a blockage and oil starvation elsewhere in the engine.

What mileage has the car has done?

Up to 1L every 3k miles is within an acceptable tolerance, our 2001 1.0 Yaris with 195k on the clock was using about this, all depending upon how it was driven, and perfectly acceptable in my opinion.

4L in 2k miles though is very high though, and I'd expect to see it burning out the rear it at that rate.