Burning Oil in Hillsboro, KS
The short answer
If you keep adding oil but never see a drip, your engine is probably burning it inside, often past worn piston rings, valve seals or a clogged breather valve.
The other kind of burning is oil leaking onto a hot exhaust, which gives you a burning smell rather than blue smoke. You might spot it in the mirror pulling out of the co-op in the morning, a puff of blue-gray smoke that hangs over the road behind you. Either way, the engine is losing oil it needs. Bring it in, or we will come and get it.
Call or text (620) 416-0008. Describe the noise. We'll do the rest.
We answer texts the same day we get them.
Burning oil, decoded
Tap the ones that sound like yours.
You ticked 0. That is worth a look.
Text us which onesHow we find out where the oil is going
We find out where the oil is going. A leak onto the exhaust, a stuck breather and worn rings all use up oil, and only one of them is a big job.
We check the simple fixes first. A PCV valve or a leaking gasket is an ordinary repair, and it is worth ruling out before anyone talks about the engine.
We give you honest options. If the engine is worn inside, we explain repair, replacement or careful topping up, and we tell you which makes sense for your vehicle.
Financing is available on larger engine work. Ask us about spreading the cost of a big repair.
Why Hillsboro trusts Moxie with an oil-burning engine
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Honest options
We tell you when topping up is fine for now, and when it is time for a repair.
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An ASE-certified technician
Our technician is ASE certified in engine repair, automatic transmissions and drivetrains, and Moxie pays for ASE testing for the whole team.
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One-year warranty
Engine and transmission work carries Moxie's one-year warranty, and we go through exactly what it covers before you approve the repair.
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We come and get it
We serve drivers across Marion, Harvey, McPherson, Chase and Lyon Counties, with free pickup and delivery within 40 miles of the shop.
Call or text (620) 416-0008. Describe the noise. We'll do the rest.
Burning oil myths we hear at the counter
Hover or tap a card to flip it.
Sounds like yours? Tell us what it is doing and we will tell you straight.
Can I keep driving?
Yes, for now, if you keep the oil topped up. Stop if you see heavy smoke or smell burning.
An engine that burns a little oil can keep running as long as you check the level often and never let it run low. Running low is what destroys engines. Heavy smoke from under the hood, or a strong burning smell, means oil is hitting the hot exhaust and could start a fire, so pull over and call us.
Stop driving and call us if
- Smoke is coming from under the hood
- You smell strong burning oil inside the cab
- The oil pressure light comes on
- You hear a new knock or tick from the engine
Paying for it
This is one of the repairs people put off because of what it costs, and putting it off usually makes it worse. You can split it into payments and get the vehicle back on the road now, with Affirm, Sunbit, Synchrony Car Care, NAPA EasyPay and more, including options for credit that is still being built.
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What makes an engine burn oil around here
- Worn piston rings on a higher-mileage engine, often after years of hard work and towing
- Worn or hardened valve seals, which let oil drip into the cylinders while the engine sits
- A clogged PCV valve, a small breather that can push oil into the intake when it sticks
- A leaking turbocharger seal on turbocharged engines
- Oil leaking from a gasket onto the hot exhaust, which burns rather than drips
- Going long between oil changes, which lets sludge build up and wear parts faster
How we diagnose an engine burning oil in Hillsboro
- We ask how much oil you add and how often, because that tells us how serious it is.
- We look for leaks first, since oil hitting a hot exhaust can be mistaken for burning.
- We check the PCV valve and breather system, which is a simple and often overlooked cause.
- We pull the spark plugs and look for oil fouling, which shows which cylinders are burning.
- We run compression and leak-down tests to check the rings and valves, then give you honest options.
An engine burning oil across five Kansas counties
We look after drivers across Marion County, Harvey County, McPherson County, Chase County and Lyon County, with free pickup and delivery within 40 road miles of 611 Orchard Dr, Hillsboro.
Burning oil questions we hear every week
How do I know if my car is burning oil or leaking it?
Look where you park. Drips or spots on the ground mean a leak, while low oil with a clean driveway usually means it is burning inside the engine. Some engines do both, and our oil leak page covers the dripping kind.
Is some oil burning normal?
A small amount can be normal, especially on higher-mileage engines. What matters is whether you are adding more than you used to, or seeing smoke. If you are topping up more often, text us so we can check it.
Is burning oil expensive to fix?
It depends on the cause. A clogged PCV valve or a leaking gasket is an ordinary repair, while worn rings usually mean major engine work. We find out which before quoting, and financing is available on the larger jobs.