My '92 RS has been burning oil for some time now. I don't think it is the valve guides because there is no puff of smoke at start-up and also because the heads were redone about a year and a half ago.
Yesterday after I changed my oil I had my brother rev the engine while I looked at the exhaust. I did not notice any smoke when the RPM's were increasing or held steady. I did notice a bunch of smoke when he would let off the gas and the engine was returning to idle. About a second or two after letting off the gas a bunch of smoke (it looked somewhat blue so I am assuming it was oil) came out of the exhaust.
So what is this an indication of? Worn rings? Worn cylinder walls? Something else? Thanks!

 

Worn valve guides can cause that as well as the start-up smoke. You may also have a puff of smoke when it shifts gears. How much oil is it using? What do the plugs look like?


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82 camaro--original steering wheel, brake/gas pedals, seats--everything else modified
82camaro

 

Really? Hmmm... Can you explain to me what makes you think that? I mean if it was worn valve guides than I would think that I would still get the smoke on start-up. I could be wrong though, I have no idea. It's using a fair amount of oil, at least 1 quart every 3000 miles, more like 2 quarts every 3000 miles. I haven't checked the plugs but will do when I get a chance.

 

I forgot to mention, occasionally while sitting for a while in traffic, it will start smoking alot. I mean enough to see small clouds coming from out back. I would rev the engine a little bit and it would seem to make it stop, for a while anyways.

 

The theory is that the excess pressure in the engine forces oil/oil vapor past the valve guides. A bad PCV valve could make this happen or make it worse. Pull the oil cap off and then rev the engine and let off and see if it still smokes. Or if smoke then comes out of the oil cap instead of the exhaust. You could also have a broken/stuck/worn out oil ring.

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82 camaro--original steering wheel, brake/gas pedals, seats--everything else modified
82camaro

 

Thanks, I'll check it out.