kernandl

My 2002 has 170,000 miles and has started burning oil now when driven hard. I'm assuming this is oil leaking through the valve seats? would a new set of aftermarket heads fix my problem? i've got heads and cam on my "wish list" anyway and if the new heads will fix the problem I could use as an excuse to the "Missus" to make this purchase a priority..

NC98Z

iTrader: (1)

Are you sure it isn't sucking the oil down the intake?

777

iTrader: (21)

With 170k on the clock, and the fact that these cars typically burn some oil anyhow, it could be coming from anywhere. That's a pretty expensive "test" to see if you fix the oil burning issue. Especially considering that that's probably not the reason for oil burning. I'd check the PCV system first, then do a leakdown & compression test.

kernandl

ok thanks , I'll check the compression and do a leak down test, not to famailiar with the PVC system and all it's components though. The car runs fine but when I mash on it she smokes like a diesel...

ragtopz28

iTrader: (57)

With that said...time for a catch can. It's blowin throught the intake.

conan

iTrader: (5)

When I pulled my 5.3L out of my yukon this winter for a failing oil pump, I found the oil scraper ring pack was stuck tight in the ring lands. I was burning abot 1 quart / 3,000 miles. They weren't seized or any thing they just had no spring left in them, they also had 224,xxx miles on them too.

So the catch can and new valve seals would be a good thing to do, it might not solve all of your problems.

roninsonic

iTrader: (3)

if if it's smoking that bad, it might be time for a set of rings... regardless, I'd try an updated truck PCV valve first. It's a five minute, three dollar test that might fix the problem before you start spending a ****-ton of money for no reason.

_JB_

iTrader: (33)

If it smokes on acceleration then it isn't bad valve seals then. Best way to check for bad valves seals is to watch for smoke on decel, allowing the engine to slow the car. The vacuum from the engine will pull oil in.

kernandl

smokes just under HARD acceleration.

jrob56

iTrader: (39)

What color, every fbody Ive ever seen blows out some blackish smoke right on the hit once the cats are out.

LS1121

iTrader: (17)

maybe the rings, do you have any back pressure coming thru the engine? Is it puffing out the oil fill spout? Why do people just jump on the PCV are they really that clueless?

kernandl

bluish black smoke. haven't noticed any oil around filler tube or leaks for that matter. and I have no cats..

kernandl

and I can smell a faint odor of fuel (like runnin real rich) also.. but like I stated earlier , it happens only when I mash on it..

LS1121

iTrader: (17)

Hmmmm.....blue usually indicates oil burning and black is too much fuel. Ya really need to do a compression test and if that checks out OK have someone check your Tune.

kernandl

Compression check looked good , tune is more than likely a big factor that needs to be addressed. I'm only using a hand held programmer for a tune at the moment.

jrob56

iTrader: (39)

Still sounds normal to me, havent seen an fbody yet that doesnt do that. If you say yours doesnt, you prolly havent seen it from behind when someone gets on it. It was worse before I got a tune on my current and previous fbody, but still does it.

LS1121

iTrader: (17)

most cars will give a little puff when you stomp on it, even my Civic will "puff" but the OP's post says Burning Oil that is a completely different thing.

jrob56

iTrader: (39)

I know what it says. Its an ls1 with 170k miles. I dont know a single ls1 that doesnt burn oil, let alone a higher mileage one. Just top it off, the smoke you are seeing on the hit is normal. Now if you start seeing consistent smoke through a whole run, or normal driving Id start getting worried. I just think this is a non issue.

LS1121

iTrader: (17)

OK so what exactly do you mean by burning oil? Tell us what the issue is exactly. Is it a small puff or is it smoking all the time?

Bacon

Oil disappearing can be caused by more things than you can shake a stick at. Like mentioned earlier, burning some oil isnt an issue. Ive had GM V8s with 110k that burn NO oil, but ive also had ones with 30k on them that burn a quart every 3k. It could be as simple as switching to a different oil or even a different weight oil.

If you SEE smoke and its blue, then you are most definitely burning oil. If you see it on hard accel, its not likely the valves or guides. Valve guides usually will show their face in the form of a puff of smoke when you leave a stop light or a cloud when you start the vehicle up. Otherwise the burn is so small that you smell it rather than see it.

Did you do just a compression test or did you do a leak down as well? You may just be a little worn and burning some more under high load.

When you change your oil is it thin and gassy smelling? Its usually more of a dirty injector problem, but worn rings will let more fuel by and into the oil pan. Thin oil can more easily be burned off under high load.