My Trans Am is definately burning oil. I did a cam swap beginning of last season and i didnt really notice it till track day and now its fairly regular. Steady small amount at any rpm.

I want to know all the possibilities that could be causing it and what would be the course of action to diagnose the problem. I want to put on nitrous in the spring but I would like to fix this first. I have no loss in power and the engine seems to be running great. I trapped 116s regularly at the end of the season.

Possibilities I think:
Bad Oil
Bad Valve seal
Piston Rings are shot
Bent Valve

What i plan to do in the spring, let me know if im taking the right action:
1.) Change oil (I dont remember what kinds in it but its documented on another computer)
2.) Change spark plugs and look for irregularities on any cylinder (changing to tr-6's for nitrous.)
3.) compression test
4.) Pull valve covers

 

A compression test is good, but a leak down test is even better. I think the usual culprits are rings, valve seals, and valve guides. If you're valve was bent, I think you'd know it - you wouldn't be making good power or run well. You can lose a little through the pcv, but that's normal. How much oil are we talking anyways? Like you go to the track, come home, and it's half a quart low or what?

 

valve seals? or added overlap from the camshaft puts a little more oil/crank case pressure in the intake manifold causing oil loss/consumption and smoking.

 

Is there anything i can do to fix the problem if that is the cause?

 

How many miles on the motor? Just a few thoughts. Valve stem seals usually show up as a puff of smoke on start up and then most goes away. Could it be running rich instead of burning oil? That is fairly common with a cam and a tune that is off.

 

CATCH CAN! the sponsors on here sell them, like TR and WS6 store.

 

Im guessing he has less than 50k on the car.

its also not a start-up symptom either. I cruise with him all the time and it will have a very slow, small, steady draft of blue smoke out the tail-pipe. It will make a bigger puff after he gets on the throttle and lets off at a high rpm.

The car runs great, its def healthy so im betting its the PCV system.

i do know a guy that fried his rings in 30k miles, but he drove his car like he was GM torture tester.

 

How could one improve the PCV system? Would a catch can put an end to the oil consumption problem?

 

get the new upgraded pcv vlave for like 6 bucks put it in, and add a catch can.

 

Is this $6 PCV valve different from the autozone one?