Engine rattle/using oil

[Tom _M]

My '99 2.0 petrol Honda CRV seems to developing a thirst for oil. Topped it up around Christmas, checked again the other day, and was very low. Engine also seems to have developed a bit of a tinny rattle, which is there when idle and driving, on and off. Is a bit smokey from exhaust, but seems to be more of a white than blue tinge.

There's no obvious big leaks anywhere (not dripping to ground at all), though valve cover gasket is a bit mucky, so suspect not a great seal there, but can't be losing a lot. Assume then that some seals/rings internally going and letting oil through to be burned off? Could this also account for the rattle sound too though?

[GreenV8S]

Sure the new rattle isn't in your head? It's very easy to notice a new noise once you start looking for a problem, especially on an older engine.

If you have access to do it, it would be worth diverting the crank case breather outlet into a temporary catch tank (PCV system blocked off) to see whether you have excessive blow by. That's the most likely reason for oil consumption rising without an external leak.

It could also be a mechanical problem allowing oil up past the rings, but I don't see any point worrying about that possibility since it is not worth tackling unless/until the symptoms get very obvious - which they will do soon enough, if that is the problem.

[E-bmw]

^^^^ Wot 'e said.

Also, white "smoke" from a petrol engine can only be steam, so if you aren't losing coolant it is just water vapour from the combustion process.