I have a 92 RS, 305 TBI. It has 215K miles, and who knows how much it was abused, because I only got it last year. Anyway, it has been burning oil since I got it. I use 10-30 too, Castrol GTX. I probably add about a half a quart every week or two depending how much I drive it. Not too bad, but bad enough to have a strong odor of burning oil in the cabin. It's not all that bad, but if I'm in traffic idling enough, or especially if I'm working on it and it's just idling, it smells pretty bad.

In the year I've had it, I haven't seen a single drop of oil leak anywhere. The area around the valve covers and also under the oil pan is slightly dirty, but it looks like accumulation from over the years, because I can't seem to wipe it off, and it never seems fresh.

It smells stronger in the cabin than in the engine bay, if that helps. I have checked the engine bay while revving the engine, can't see any leaks.

I don't hear any noises. There is often white smoke when it starts up, for about 10-30 seconds, depending how cold it is. But I'm sure that's mostly just condensation. Other than that there is no visible smoke coming from the exhaust.

Any suggestions on where the oil might be burning? I know it's normal for such high mileage, but I'm still curious where it would be coming from. Depending on the labor involved and the price of the parts, I probably won't fix it, but I'm still just curious.

 

a common problem with the third gens is the valve guides. they are made out of a really crappy material and are known to wear down. the oil leaks from around the valve and into the combustion chamber which is what causes that big buff of smoke on start up

 

Well I must admit I don't know much about engines. I'm assuming the valve guides are near the valve springs under the valve cover? But I'm reading you might need to take off the head to get to them, and not just the valve covers?

I don't have much money right now. But I do have plenty of time, a huge desire to learn, and a decent selection of tools. However like I said, haven't done too much engine work, so I'm sure I'm missing some large sockets and breaker bars and larger tools in general that will be necessary for engine work.

I plan on eventually putting either a 350 or LS1 in my car, but realistically that will be a year or two down the line. And right now that I have more time than money, I would maybe be interested in doing the work myself, and replacing anything else that's worth replacing while I'm fixing the valve guides.

 

Actually more likely the valve stem seals. The o rings harden and umbrellas are crap

 

lol well at least you have a simple motor to experiment on, regardless if its the valve steams on seals its means opening up the engine really most oil burning problems require that. sure its not a valve cover gasket?

 

Leakdown test it.

 

if that's the case shouldn't he be using straight 30 weight until it's fixed? or is that a bad idea?