What to look for if burning oil?

[Shady Pioneer]

I think my car might be burning oil, no apparent leaks and there seems to be a decrease in oil level over time, could be why my cat is fudged? What should I be looking for?

[Wayne]

It is harder to tell with a cat, however you should still be able to smell oil if it is being burnt, if it is I would think your valve stem seals are knackered.

[Shady Pioneer]

Ok so where would I be looking to smell for oil? And if it is the stem seals, and easy fix?

[shepgti]

am i right in thinking blue smoke from exhaust suggests it burning oil..

[Wayne]

am i right in thinking blue smoke from exhaust suggests it burning oil..

Yes also you can tend to find you get puffs when changing gear.

[Shady Pioneer]

There's defo no blue smoke coming from the rear, any other causes at all?

[Wayne]

There's defo no blue smoke coming from the rear, any other causes at all?

Only other thing to suggest is do you have a leak somewhere.

[Shady Pioneer]

There's defo no blue smoke coming from the rear, any other causes at all?

Only other thing to suggest is do you have a leak somewhere.

There's nowhere apparent, there's no wet areas or anything  I'll have to see if I can get under the car and check, that would seem more logical but it's defo not apparent where a leak would be coming from (no oil patches when car left still either).

[Rmachines]

Leaks
Valve stem seals
Piston Rings
Head gasket

Work your way through them.  Head gaskets do tend to go on the golfs, 100,000 miles upawards and they are at risk, although they usualy hold up well if its well looked after and not overheated etc..   Valve stem seals go, A common one on valvers, again, a high milage thing...  I doubt the piston rings would have gone ... but who knows,  How fast are you loosing oil?

[Guy]

Leaks
Valve stem seals
Piston Rings
Head gasket

Work your way through them.  Head gaskets do tend to go on the golfs, 100,000 miles upawards and they are at risk, although they usualy hold up well if its well looked after and not overheated etc..   Valve stem seals go, A common one on valvers, again, a high milage thing...  I doubt the piston rings would have gone ... but who knows,  How fast are you loosing oil?

oil temperature sender? squeeze the little rubber switch cover on top of the oil cooler, if there is any oil in that then that is leaking