Gas odor in oil, any chance it's not the rings?

[tylerdurden801]

Well, I checked the oil today and happened to smell the dipstick, which had a strong fuel odor. I'm pretty sure my O2 sensor is dead (I get 17 MPG), so I'm *hoping* it might just be that the car is running really rich, but other cars run rich and still don't contaminate the oil with gas. I'm getting a compression check done, will that tell me for sure if the rings are toast? Any other possibilities besides O2 sensor or leaky injectors? God, this is really stupid. BTW, the car is STOCK, 125K miles. If my rings are toast the car is ####ing gone.

 

[GSXanimal]

Its not your rings. Replace the o2 sensor

 

[xcelr8n]

dont see why your rings would be shot, do a compression test, its the only way to know forsure. then do a leakdown test, your car should leakdown a little bit with 125k on the clock.
but from what youre describing it doesnt sound like rings at all.

 

[Spln_Hrd]

also while you are doing the check, on th cylinders that are low(if any) just put a small amount(teaspoon) of oil on top of the piston(through the spark plug hole) and if your compression gets slightly better your piston ring is slightly bad, and if it gets alot better your piston is alot bad.

i would expect to see your compression raise by at least 7 on one cylinder, in other words its normal. your motor is not brand new. if you see a differance of thirty i would check again and if you get the same result, fix it or sell it.

 

[tylerdurden801]

The reason I suspect rings is because even if it were running rich the fuel is STILL leaking down the cylinder walls past the rings. I guess a compression test will show what's up, in the meantime a new O2 sensor is on the way. Any more replies/experiences would be appreciated.

BTW, I did a search, and some people seemed to have success with just changing the O2 sensor, others didn't seem to think it was a big deal even if it continued. When I asked on non-DSM forums, they seemed to think rings would be the only explanation.