hey i have a 2010 S and higher oil consumption and the tech said there may be SLIGHT leak from oil pan gasket or maybe the oil cooler gasket. they also think it might be issue with the crank case vent valve that is causing the oil consumption, does that make any sense ? What does this mean exactly?

 

well the first one (oil pan/cooler gasket) are external leaks. So oil being lost to the out side and can be seen externally on engine (Simple).
My educated guess on the second (cranks case vent) is that there is a value the vents internal engine gasses thru this vent valve(back into engine for re burning) and it s not functioning or clogged shut causing the internal burning of some oil.

 

I suspect they are talking about the oil/air separator on top of the engine, the engine is kept at a partial vacuum to alleviate pumping losses (the piston pushing the air under them out of the way).
The oil/air separator removes most of the oil mist in the air being pulled out so it can be returned and not burned.
If this fails the oil will be burned instead up put back into the crankcase.

are you seeing white smoke from the exhaust?

 

sometimes i see smoke in my rearview mirror or when im idle or backing up...

 

i was able to take off the oil cap off when car running but there suction so it was hard to take off. also the oil that spouted out looked a little watery?