How long do piston rings last?

[Satter]

My runner runs fine. However I feel that it could be more powerful than it is. I’ve had the oil changed regularly. However it looses quite a bit of oil between oil changes. There are no leaks nor is there white smoke coming out of the tailpipe. I read that over time piston rings wear out like most things. I’m thinking about having a dyno and compression test done on my runner.

 

[T4R2014]

Too many variables to give an exact number. Why bother checking if it runs good? Just creates more unnecessary worries. A JDM engine is 900 if you want all your power back.

 

[Satter]

Too many variables to give an exact number. Why bother checking if it runs good? Just creates more unnecessary worries. A JDM engine is 900 if you want all your power back.

Curiosity. I mean I would really like to have more power. And I understand that things wear down. I think that’s why I’ve been starting to think about getting a newer used 4Runner. But damn they’re expensive.

 

[Dieselchessy]

Do a compression test and a leak down test.

Could be burning oil from a few different places like valve stem seals and piston rings.

PCV valve could be clogged.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Run a 1/4 of a quart of Marvel Mystery Oil in it for 200 to 300 miles before the next oil change. Change the PCV valve at the same time.

If that doesn’t help, it may indeed be the valve stem seals. Any blue smoke on start up?

 

[alumarine]

How much oil does it use between changes?
At how many miles are the changes done?

 

[Satter]

How much oil does it use between changes?
At how many miles are the changes done?

I wanna say the oil dip stick shows 1/4th full by the time it’s time for an oil change. I change the oil every 5,000 miles.

As far as I can tell there’s no smoke at all when I start it up in the morning. However the exhaust smells like gasoline when it’s cold.

 

[JLTD]

So it goes from "full" to 1/4 of the way above "low" in 5000 miles?

If so:tape: you're good. Most engines use a little. Agree with checking items listed above especially pcv.

What oil viscosity are you using, and how many miles on the vehicle?

 

[LittleCaesar]

On a 23 year old engine, that isn’t bad. Some new engines burn more oil than that right off the lot today.

As far as the smell goes, is there any idle or stalling problems, especially at start up? It usually indicates a rich condition. An off the cuff suggestion is an injector that is running rich at start up but isn’t failing enough to throw a code on a particular cylinder. Also pull the vacuum line off the fuel pressure regulator to see if it smells like fuel or drips any gas.

 

[FunBobby]

Run a 1/4 of a quart of Marvel Mystery Oil in it for 200 to 300 miles before the next oil change. Change the PCV valve at the same time.

If that doesn’t help, it may indeed be the valve stem seals. Any blue smoke on start up?

Marvel Mystery Oil actually recommends 1qt in the crankcase and to run it a full oil change interval, that's what I find when I first bought mine; it's a very low strength detergent.

 

[pauldub]

Marvel Snake Oil. Looking at the MSDS it's mostly Naptha and Stodard Solvent.

But back to the OP's question, these 3rd gen 4Runners don't really have any power in stock form.

 

[Satter]

So it goes from "full" to 1/4 of the way above "low" in 5000 miles?

If so:tape: you're good. Most engines use a little. Agree with checking items listed above especially pcv.

What oil viscosity are you using, and how many miles on the vehicle?

I’m using Toyota brand SAE 5w-30. It has 174,000 miles. However the vast majority of those miles are inner city miles. Short trips. Start and stop driving.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Marvel Mystery Oil actually recommends 1qt in the crankcase and to run it a full oil change interval, that's what I find when I first bought mine; it's a very low strength detergent.

I thought MMO was snake oil but have seen it firsthand slow and stop oil burning, as well as clean out a crankcase that aided in slowing down a rod knock.

But should be used IMHO as a last resort...:spit:

 

[shadow247]

GM stated it's fine to burn 1 qt of oil every 2,000 miles in a brand new truck!

If you are losing a quart in 5,000 miles on a 23 year old truck, stop worrying about it.

If you can't stop worrying, do a compression and leak-down test.

Send out an oil sample to Blackstone Labs. blackstone-labs.com/tests/standard-analysis/ - 30 Bucks for the kit and analysis.

Send out your next 3 oil changes and compare the levels of metal in the test. You can tell pretty easily based on the levels if you have a major wear issue.

 

[plcfcng]

White smoke is caused by a head gasket leak blue smoke is oil burning. The amount of oil burned is not a problem. Check your air cleaner have the spark plugs been changed during scheduled maintenance ? A compression test will tell you a bunch I do a compression test dry and wet. This is much easier and will tell you all you need to know. Cars 101: How to Do a Compression Test

Don't worry about the amount of oil I use a squirt can and put in two squirts

something like this Amazon.com: GOLDENROD (625) Pistol Pump Oiler with Straight Spout - 10 oz. Capacity: Automotive
:hippie:

 

[spartacus]

Check your spark plugs if the oil is going past the rings your spark plugs will have oily gunk on them.