Engine smoking - Rebuild or Replace

[Hig116]

Once I do the leak down test and scope, hopefully I will be able to tell if it seems to be a ring issue. If there is not damage to the cylinders, then I'm hoping its a gummed up ring on cylinder 6 and a piston soak might free I up. That's my current best case scenario in my head.

Keith

 

[CutthroatSlam]

Over on TheTruckStop.us they recommend the following for restoring engines that lose or burn oil:

Amazon.com

 

[gwsears]

Have you checked the oil consumption after 3000 miles or so?

 

[Hig116]

Have you checked the oil consumption after 3000 miles or so?

We just replaced the valve seals last weekend. He drove the car approximately 250 miles and used about 1/2 qt oil. So it's burning a lot more than I expected. Just ordered a PCV valve and plan to do a compression test and leak down test soon.

Keith

 

[Rocko9999]

We just replaced the valve seals last weekend. He drove the car approximately 250 miles and used about 1/2 qt oil. So it's burning a lot more than I expected. Just ordered a PCV valve and plan to do a compression test and leak down test soon.

Keith

Have you scoped the pistons to look for cylinder wall damage? Have any service history on it?

 

[Hig116]

Have you scoped the pistons to look for cylinder wall damage? Have any service history on it?

I haven't scoped yet, but plan to. As far as history, I have it from the first two owners on Carfax, but nothing from the last owner. The car sat for a while, as I have found several dirt dauber nests. Makes me think it sat long enough for oil ring to get stuck. Maybe.

Keith

 

[Rocko9999]

I haven't scoped yet, but plan to. As far as history, I have it from the first two owners on Carfax, but nothing from the last owner. The car sat for a while, as I have found several dirt dauber nests. Makes me think it sat long enough for oil ring to get stuck. Maybe.

Keith

If it had even sem-regular oil changes I'd bet the rings are stuck, not worn. I cheap Amazon scope will give you insight. In the meantime, you could pull the plugs, pour in the Berrymans or Seafoam and let it soak for a few days.

 

[Hig116]

If it had even sem-regular oil changes I'd bet the rings are stuck, not worn. I cheap Amazon scope will give you insight. In the meantime, you could pull the plugs, pour in the Berrymans or Seafoam and let it soak for a few days.

The car is currently with my son at college, 2 hours away. I'm going to see him in a couple weeks and am going to replace PCV valve while I'm there, since it's simple to do. After that, I won't be able to work on it again until the end of May when the semester ends. Until then, he will keep a check on the oil and really won't put to many miles on it, since he walks on campus.

Once I get it home, I have a scope and will do a leak down test and compression test. I suspect I'll need to do a piston soak to try and free the ring and will be in good shape. Based on the plugs, all looked good except for #6. So, hopefully that is the ONLY cylinder with an issue.

Keith

 

[AuSeeker]

The car is currently with my son at college, 2 hours away. I'm going to see him in a couple weeks and am going to replace PCV valve while I'm there, since it's simple to do. After that, I won't be able to work on it again until the end of May when the semester ends. Until then, he will keep a check on the oil and really won't put to many miles on it, since he walks on campus.

Once I get it home, I have a scope and will do a leak down test and compression test. I suspect I'll need to do a piston soak to try and free the ring and will be in good shape. Based on the plugs, all looked good except for #6. So, hopefully that is the ONLY cylinder with an issue.

Keith

Just keep in mind that a leak down test and compression test will not tell you anything about the oil rings, they will only tell you about the compression rings, valves and head gaskets.

 

[Hig116]

Just keep in mind that a leak down test and compression test will not tell you anything about the oil rings, they will only tell you about the compression rings, valves and head gaskets.

Good to know. I guess it will help me determine if I have an issue with my compression rings. If I have no leak down issues, that should point to oil rings, I suppose. Thanks for the information.

Keith