? about valve seals.

[92GSXman]

My car is starting to use oil kinda bad. I have to add about a quart every 2-3 weeks. My car smokes bad when it's at idle but when I'm going down the road I don't notice any smoke coming out. When valve seals go bad does that make a car burn oil? Plus my car runs very well despite the burning oil. I was planning to pull the head and get it reworked with new seals and gaskets, plus I might throw on a 16g while I have everything off. But if I spend all this money and it still smokes when we get done I will be pissed. I don't want to get my engine rebuilt but I also don't want to spend all this money on the above stuff and it still not be right. It only has 125,000 on it so the bottom end should be OK, right. Thanks

 

[NOSNUSE]

If your valve seals are bad the oil will work it's way around the seals and into the combustion chamber and will burn oil, also check your compression and do a leak down test to see if it might be your rings. Truth be told it doesn't really matter how many miles are on it, if the car was not cared for the motor can wear out faster than one tht has had regular maintence.

 

[Defiant]

Do a compression test to find out if it's your rings.

 

[92GSXman]

Will a compression test tell me if it's rings or not? Won't my compression also be off if my valves aren't sealing properly?

 

[jpolizo]

Originally posted by 92GSXman
Will a compression test tell me if it's rings or not? Won't my compression also be off if my valves aren't sealing properly?

You test it twice; the second time you squirt some oil into the cylinder and this will temporarily seal the rings. If you get higher compression on the second test, then it's rings (and maybe valves). If it's low, both times, it's the valves.