pHEnomIC

iTrader: (14)

I put a torquer v3 cam in about 2000 miles ago, car burns a lot of oil.

I put in a pcv catch can from elite engineering. It catches some oil but the car is still burning oil. I dont believe it is anything to do with the pistons because car runs like a champ still.

I changed the cam, oil pump, timing chain, springs, pushrods, valve seals, retainers, etc.

I believe next thing would be seals, is there an easy way to check that they are good?

Btw, does it hurt anything to burn oil or can i just let it be?

TopFlite

There is no easy way to check if the valve seals are ok unless you pull the heads off. Burning oil is not a direct correlation to bad valve seals or a poorly performing car, unless it really feels like a complete slug. I would do a compression test first to ensure that the ring seal is ok. If the sealing is ok, look to the valve seals or PCV system. Please note that modified engines with much more CI of internal displacement will not use oil like STOCK engines. I would gladly pay for a quart of oil, synthetic of mineral oil,
for a 200hp tradeoff! If the rings were not sealed correctly of course.

pHEnomIC

iTrader: (14)

I dont mind the oil burning as long as it doesnt hurt anything. Say the rings are good and so are the seals, will i hurt anything by burning some oil? Can o2 sensors deals with oil?

Btw, i pulled my tr-55's that went in with cam and they were not fouled so i think thats a good sign.

TopFlite

Burning oil will not hurt the internals of the engine. It's not good for the wallet, but my 1981 Eldorado has been burning a quart of oil every 200 miles since I bought it 7 months ago. However, it is still running very well! Burning oil does not hurt the engine at all, it is just an indicator that either the rings, valve seals, or PCV system needs to be looked at or replaced. In my case with the Eldo, I know its the PCV system as well as the rings, but it's a non issue as long as the oil level is topped off. As far as our LS1's, I would look to your PCV because before I had put my TR224 cam and LS2 casting heads on, my stock pcv was sucking up so much oil, it was unbelievable. Breathers and catch cans do wonders for our engines due to the high internal vacuum.

1BADAIR

iTrader: (1)

check the hose after the catch can and see if its wet.
oil in the combustion chamber can cause detonation.
An easy way to check the valve seals is to pull the intake or header and look in the port. If they are really bad you will see oil around the guide.
pic of mine with bad seals/guides

SUCK MY SS

iTrader: (14)

does it puff a cloud of white smoke on start up?
do a leakdown test of all cylinders and go from there.

BlwnLs1GTO

iTrader: (12)

Here is another pic with the header off.
You can take a look inside to see if any of your exhaust seals are leaking. It would be more likely that the exhaust side is leaking rather than the intake.

If I were you, I would look strongly at your PCV system for clues. This is the easiest and probably more likely the case. Good Luck.

pHEnomIC

iTrader: (14)

PCV system has the elite engineering catch can which is supposed to be one of the best. I think i changed the valve when i got the car like 4k miles ago.

I dont get a big puff on startup. Just a small steady amount almost all the time. Car runs excellent.

I recently changed spark plugs for nitrous and pulled my old ones. All looked normal, and the same. I would think that if it was a specific cylinder, that one would definately be discolored.

Bill's 02 Z-28 SS

Hi
I disagree - it coats the plugs and causes a large carbon build up in the combustion chamber. The car will run ok but what you can’t see will hurt you.
Thanks
Bill

TopFlite

The plugs can be changed. Carbon buildup in the combustion chamber can be seafoamed out. The engine is not hurt after these two things happen. The cycle will continue and oil will be burned. That is all.

Robin L

Guys, Oil dilutes the octane rating of the fuel. It isn't just a few points either.
So if you have oil in the combustion process it can detonate and tear up parts.

Robin

pHEnomIC

iTrader: (14)

\

This might be a problem when im using spray. :-x

Bill's 02 Z-28 SS

Hi Folks
Totally agree with Robin - also remember carbon build up by itself can also cause detonation and we all know happens when that occurs. It does not take long for carbon to build up once you have oil and gas being consumed. You would need to have seaform in the gas tank on every fill up.
thanks
Bill

pHEnomIC

iTrader: (14)

Ok i checked my pcv catchcan. It looks like in about 500 miles, it caught a teaspoon amount of oil. So there is oil going through the pcv. Can i count on the elite engineering pcv can to catch it all? I wonder if this is my problem or not.

1BADAIR

iTrader: (1)

my catchcan doesn't get all the oil