My LO3 is burning tons of oil off. It's completely stock, and it hasn't been sitting. I'm not sure how the previous owner drove the car, but I need some suggestions as to what it could be. Could be as simple as seals or something more complicated?

 

Very general rule of thumb....smoke on startup, moreso after sitting after a drive = valve seals. Smoke constantly = piston rings.

Check your oil and coolant, look for cross-contamination that might indicate a failed head gasket. Otherwise, you might be looking at a rebuild my friend.

Also run a compression check on all the cylinders... And when you pull the plugs, the plugs that look the worst (oil contaminated, fouled, etc.) are the likely suspects for the worst-off cylinders.

 

A leakdown test will tell you more. If it's seeping pressure into the crankcase then you need a rebuild b/c your rings are shot.

 

thanks guys i just bought the car and i am about to change everything as far as plugs and oil and everything i just noticed it has been burning an excessive amount of oil so i figured it wouldnt hurt to ask for opions thanks..

 

Very true....not many people know how to do a leak-down test though, much less have the gauge set for it...

Off topic:
My old engine had a dead cyl, kept fouling the plug....compression checked to 85 psi, leak-down checked at 95% leakage. And the rings were still there!! Beat that! And it had maybe 10k on it, it was a brand new shortblock....old mechanic put it together with bad parts and long story short, I do all my own work now.

Oh and also, if you have really bad blowby, particularly due to bad rings pressurizing the crankcase....take your oil filler cap off while the car is running. It should puff smoke, *** knows mine did

 

Could try a wet/dry comp test.

 

What's that supposed to mean? No better time to learn. I'm sure there was a time when you didn't own a wrench. The gauge set for doing leakdown tests isn't expensive and can even be rented. And there is nothing else that will tell you what a leakdown test will. Short of tearing the motor apart.