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Engine's burning oil - how much longer will it last?

82 messages,  Last post on Mar 20, 2011 at 8:01 AM

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Messages Page 9 of 9

#81 of 82 Update by bottgers

Mar 20, 2011 (7:46 am)

Since I haven't been in here for a while I'd thought I'd post an update. My consumption issue has slowly gotten worse. It now uses a qt about every 800-1000 miles. However, I did replace the spark plugs and wires a couple of months ago and none of the plugs looked to be oil fouled. In fact, they all appeard to have the nice hazy look you typically see with a properly running engine. The engine also doesn't smoke (at least not that I can see anyway), it still runs fine, doesn't seem to have lost any power, and it still seems to do just as good fuel economy wise as it ever did. So I just keep a few extra qts of oil in the trunk and keep driving it...why not?

#82 of 82 Re: Update [bottgers] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Mar 20, 2011 (8:01 am)

Replying to: bottgers (Mar 20, 2011 7:46 am)
Indeed, why not? You might try an experiment, which requires a friend to follow you in their car.
 
Accelerate on some empty road, maybe say in a lower gear so that the engine revs up pretty high---then let your foot OFF the gas until the car slows way down, and then PUNCH it.
 
Then ask your friend if he saw a momentary puff of blue smoke as you punched it.
 
If he did, this would verify worn valve guides or valve stem seals.
 
By driving the way you did, you created high engine vacuum when you let off the gas, and then LOW vacuum when you punched it---this would suck any oil from the upper cylinder head past the worn guides or seals and into the combustion chamber.
 
If you are just idling, or revving the engine while standing still, you don't create the conditions necessary to suck oil past the worn guides and seals. So you won't see smoke. And seeing it as you drive is difficult, as the smoke would be temporary.
 
If you want a definitive answer, get a Cylinder Leakdown Test performed and post the results here.

Messages Page 9 of 9

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