Q: Black smoke issuing from vehicle and burning oil.

asked by on January 04, 2016

Car is burning oil when I let it idle fro extended periods of time. Also, on aggressive takeoff, excessive black smoke comes from the exhaust.

Hello, There is a common problem with the PCV valve allowing oil to enter into the intake and burn oil on these cars. There is a modified PCV valve that has been made to prevent this from happening. I would recommend a qualified technician, such as one from YourMechanic inspect your PCV system.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

What should I know about tire and wheel replacement?
Your tires will need to be replaced multiple times during the life of your ownership. There’s no way around that, unless you just don’t drive the car. Your wheels should last the life of the car, though. With that being...
Car runs hot and antifreeze leaks
First we have to find out where the coolant is leaking. That could be the cause of the over-heating, or just another symptom. Engines that heat up and run hot very quickly is a common symptom of the head gasket...
Alternator not charging
The alternator charging rate is controlled by the engine control module under the air cleaner housing. You should disconnect the battery and check the connections at the engine control module and look at pin 54 on connector one (C1). It...
Moldy smell from AC at startup
Hello, thank you for writing in. The best way to remove a moldy smell from your vehicle's air conditioning system is to replace the evaporator. This is a very time consuming and expensive repair, but is the only way to...
Random no-start. Turning key and no response, I turn the key back off and turn it again and the car starts
Hey there. This is a sign of a faulty or failing ignition switch (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-ignition-switch). When this begins to fail, this is usually a sign of the contacts inside the switch wearing out. When you put your key in the ignition...
I have a 2007 Chevy Impala...battery saver active mode
Hi There, This can be caused by a loose battery cable which is often times the problem. Try checking to be sure they are connected properly. Also, there is a sensor that has 3 small wires running to it that...
Knocking/ tapping noise under hood its loud. Check engine light is not on. I have a 2006 Land Rover LR3
Hello. I would start by checking the engine oil level and pressure. Typically when this engine makes a noise like this it is due to a failure in one of the rod bearings or in the valve train. If the...
My 2001 lexus is300 stalling when accelerating for a second and then pushes itself to go
An issue such as this would very likely be associated with a check engine light being illuminated on the dash. In this case I would recommend having a check engine light inspection (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/check-engine-light-is-on-inspection) performed by a qualified professional to determine...

Related articles

Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Differential Gasket
If you find traces of oil on the underside of the differential, puddles of fluid, or whining sounds, you may need to replace the differential gasket.
How Do I Prepare My Car for Summer?
Summer's Summer's heat, dust, and stop-and-go traffic will take their tolls on your vehicle. Follow these tips to ensure optimum wellness of your car: Air Conditioning: Have your air conditioning inspected (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/heating-ac-inspection) by a qualified technician. Newer models have cabin...
How to Troubleshoot a Car That is Hard to Start
"Car not starting" is a common complaint among car owners and is caused by faulty car batteries, spark plugs, car starter, or fuel pump.