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2018 Chevy Equinox Burning Oil: Causes, Fixes & Costs

By ClearTheCode · Published 2026-05-31 · ~7 min read

Is your 2018 Chevy Equinox burning oil excessively? Discover common causes, symptoms, and effective solutions to address this issue and protect your engine.

At a glance

Difficulty
6/10 — Easy to moderate
Est. repair cost
$100 – $800 (parts + typical shop labor)
OEM tooling
Standard OBD-II scanner and hand tools
Common symptoms
  • Frequent low oil warning light: The most obvious sign is the engine oil level light coming on well before the recommende
  • Visible exhaust smoke: Blue or grey smoke from the tailpipe is a strong indicator of oil combustion. This is often most
  • Burning oil smell: You might detect a distinct smell of burning oil
  • either inside the cabin or when standing near the v
  • Reduced oil level on dipstick: Regularly checking your oil level will show a significant drop over time
  • necessitating f

Many owners of the 2018 Chevy Equinox have reported experiencing an issue where their vehicle seems to be consuming an unusually high amount of engine oil between scheduled oil changes. This problem, often described as a 2018 Chevy Equinox burning oil, can manifest through various symptoms and, if left unaddressed, can lead to more serious engine damage. Understanding the signs, causes, and appropriate diagnostic steps is crucial for maintaining your vehicle's health.

What drivers notice on this 2018 Chevrolet Equinox

Drivers of the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox often first notice excessive oil consumption when the low oil warning light illuminates prematurely, sometimes thousands of miles before the next scheduled oil change. Other common observations include:

  • The need to frequently add oil to the engine.
  • A distinct burning oil smell, especially after driving or when the engine is hot.
  • Visible blue or grey smoke coming from the exhaust pipe, particularly during start-up, acceleration, or deceleration.
  • Engine noises like ticking or knocking, which can indicate critically low oil levels.
  • Reduced engine performance or a rough idle in severe cases.

At a glance: difficulty, repair cost, and diagnostic workflow

  • Difficulty Rating: 6/10 — Easy to moderate
  • Common Symptoms: Frequent low oil warning light: The most obvious sign is the engine oil level light coming on well before the recommende; Visible exhaust smoke: Blue or grey smoke from the tailpipe is a strong indicator of oil combustion. This is often most ; Burning oil smell: You might detect a distinct smell of burning oil, either inside the cabin or when standing near the v; Reduced oil level on dipstick: Regularly checking your oil level will show a significant drop over time, necessitating f
  • Estimated Repair Cost: $100–$800 (parts + typical shop labor)
  • OEM Tooling Required: Standard OBD-II scanner and hand tools

Diagnostic workflow:

  1. Confirm the symptom on your vehicle.
  2. Scan for stored or pending codes with an OBD-II tool.
  3. Inspect the most common causes in this guide (visual checks first).
  4. Run verification tests before replacing parts.
  5. Repair, clear codes, and verify on a test drive.

Symptoms and warning signs

Recognizing the early warning signs of your 2018 Chevy Equinox burning oil can help prevent further engine complications. Keep an eye out for these indicators:

  • Frequent low oil warning light: The most obvious sign is the engine oil level light coming on well before the recommended oil change interval.
  • Visible exhaust smoke: Blue or grey smoke from the tailpipe is a strong indicator of oil combustion. This is often most noticeable when starting the engine after it has sat for a while, or when accelerating after coasting.
  • Burning oil smell: You might detect a distinct smell of burning oil, either inside the cabin or when standing near the vehicle.
  • Reduced oil level on dipstick: Regularly checking your oil level will show a significant drop over time, necessitating frequent top-offs.
  • Engine noise: Low oil levels can lead to increased friction and wear, potentially causing ticking or knocking sounds from the engine.
  • Oil fouling of spark plugs: If you pull your spark plugs, they may appear oily or carbon-fouled.

How to verify and confirm the issue

Confirming excessive oil consumption and pinpointing its source requires a systematic approach:

  • Monitor oil consumption rate: Start by performing an oil change with the correct viscosity oil (refer to your owner's manual). Note the mileage and then regularly check the oil level with the dipstick every 500-1000 miles. Document how much oil you need to add and how frequently. This helps quantify the problem.
  • Visual inspection for external leaks: Thoroughly inspect the engine bay and underneath the vehicle for any signs of oil leaks. Common leak points include the valve cover gasket, oil pan gasket, front or rear main seals, and oil filter housing. Look for fresh oil stains or drips.
  • Check PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) system: A malfunctioning PCV valve or clogged PCV hoses can lead to increased crankcase pressure, forcing oil past seals and rings. Inspect the PCV valve for proper operation (it should rattle when shaken) and check hoses for cracks or blockages.
  • Inspect spark plugs: Remove the spark plugs and examine their tips. Oil-fouled plugs (black, oily residue) can indicate oil entering the combustion chamber, possibly due to worn valve seals or piston rings.
  • Compression and leak-down tests: If external leaks and PCV issues are ruled out, these tests can help diagnose internal engine wear, such as worn piston rings or damaged cylinder walls. A significant difference in compression or high leak-down rates between cylinders suggests an internal problem.
  • Turbocharger inspection (if equipped): For models with a turbocharger, inspect the turbo inlet and outlet pipes for oil residue, which could indicate a failing turbocharger seal allowing oil into the intake or exhaust.
  • Scan for related OBD-II codes: While not directly indicating oil consumption, a standard OBD-II scanner might reveal codes related to misfires (P030X) due to oil-fouled spark plugs or catalytic converter efficiency issues (P0420, P0430) from oil burning. You can learn more about general OBD-II codes at our Browse OBD-II codes section.

Common causes (most likely first)

Excessive oil consumption in a 2018 Chevy Equinox can stem from several issues, ranging from simple fixes to major engine repairs:

  • Worn PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) system components: A clogged PCV valve or hose can lead to excessive crankcase pressure, forcing oil past piston rings and valve seals. This is a relatively common and inexpensive fix.
  • Degraded valve stem seals: Over time, the rubber valve stem seals can harden or crack, allowing oil to seep past the valve stems into the combustion chamber. This often causes blue smoke on start-up or during deceleration.
  • Worn piston rings or cylinder walls: This is a more serious internal engine wear issue. Piston rings are designed to scrape oil off the cylinder walls, but if they are worn, stuck, or if the cylinder walls are scored, oil can enter the combustion chamber and burn.
  • External oil leaks: While not

This guide is not a substitute for OEM service procedures; use a qualified technician for safety-critical repairs.

Frequently asked questions

How urgent is this problem?

If symptoms are worsening or safety systems are affected, diagnose soon; minor issues can often wait for a scheduled service visit.

Can I drive with this issue?

Short trips may be acceptable for some faults, but stop driving if you notice overheating, loss of braking, steering problems, or strong fuel smells.

Do I need a dealer scan tool?

A basic OBD-II scanner helps confirm codes; some steps still need visual checks and meter tests described above.

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