OK..

I have a few questions.
My car has been burning oil. specially when I floor it it burns oil like a MOFO.

I checked the compression today. 160 in first 3 and the last one was initially 100 but then jumped to 140. so at best a bit less than the other three. But not too low anyways.

When I start the engine, it puffs out blue smoke too. Could an engine with somewhat good compression still burn oil? valve seals?

the PCV also blow only one way. Does it need to hold any pressure too?

and the intake is even more dry than usual.

And the other suspecion is the turbo. But there was no in-out play and some up/down only!


Is there a chance the oil makes it to the exhaust through the turbine housing(hot side)

Sounds like the valve springs, and possible the piston rings. The turbo could also be shot as well. I would have that changed and I also see a possible engine rebuild in your future. :-)

Amin,

I have the "EXACT" same problem right now.

I already swapped my turbo (had not really any shaft play like yours) and the problem still resides.

I ordered valve seals and still need to get them installed, hopefully by Aug 5th.

I will let you know how I make out.

I can't see rings but maybe..
I suspect valve seats, I thought they were changed.

The only reason I say rings, is the difference in compression, and the way it changes.

oh yeah, I have to retest that to make sure it wasn't be not being able to do the test right.

PCV valve is only supposed to flow one way. That way the crankcase gasses can get out, but the intake can't pressurize the crankcase when under boost.

What's the mileage on the head? Valve seals are possible. Could also be the guides worn enough that the seals just don't make a difference anymore. Could also be rings.

Turbo is unlikely if there's no axial play and only a little radial.

The head is supposed to have 100K on it from rebuild. Howeber I am not sure what was changed and how good of a job was done.

I think it is the valve seals. I have a few more reason to believe that too.

The Turbo is almost in perfect shape. After all this car never sees more than a few PSi and is usually in vacuum!

Is there anyway that the turbo would blow oil in RIDICULOUS amounts only when idling? or is that a valve seal thing?

It's possible. When the shaft 'moves' as it speeds up it could block a potential leak somehow. It's also hot enough to make the oil smoke not as visible when it leaves the exhaust.

Your symptoms do point to valve seals, but it's rare that they'd allow that much blow-by into the head. If you remove your oil cap, how much pressure comes out when the engine's idling? If you get someone to follow you, do a coast in gear down a long hill and then hit the gas at the bottom. If it's seals, the person behind you should see a puff of smoke out of the exhaust.

Also, put a cap of oil in the cylinders that have lower compression and re-do the compression test. If the numbers rise, then your rings aren't perfect either.

Troy,

I need no one to follow. when I floor it it smokes so much that I could see it.

Yes. I had that happen to me. The situation was a little different. When I rebuild the engine, the wrong piston rings were put in. The engine was burning oil all the time and it seems like the rings didn't want to seat at the time. I did a compression test and it was 175 on all pistons. I thought it was the turbo at first, but after a leak down test, it was concluded that the rings did not seat properly. Rebuild it again with the proper Moly Rings.

Gabriel,

this car didn't have the problem initially.


Ok, if I floor the gas with the car in neutral, blue/black smoke fills the place, does that lead to any conclusion?

Amin, I just got done switching valve seals having the same problems as you. It did not solve the problem. I am going to disconnect the wastegate arm and see if not boosting makes a difference at all. I did switch turbos but had no idea the condidtion of the turbo that I swapped in (other than the minimal shaft play).

So if that doesn't do it, I am almost definitely certain its the oil rings in on ore more of the cylinders.

Amin;

How much oil are you putting in your car a week?

Have you tried that "Engine Restorer" stuff? It worked well for me!

Does the smoke come out your tailpipe or around your entire exhaust system? Could be a leaky return tube and the heat from your exhaust is burning the oil. I am having that issue right now. As you are driving, it may seem like you are blowing smoke, but you are really blowing oil onto a hot exhaust...

At first, when you start it, you notice a puff of blue smoke. That points to valve seals. If you do a leak-down test, and vacuum test, they will help you in better diagnosing whether or not to replace your piston rings at the same time.

Adam;

I trust you checked your valve seat and guide clearances when you re-installed your valve seals? If your head has a lot of miles on it and you simply replace your seals, the guides get worn, and your valves actually move around in your guides, causing them to grow into an oval shape, making a seal job useless. The seat doesn't meet up as well and you will continue to burn oil.

The only check I did was to physically check for play in the valve stems, nothing seemed unusual all seemed pretty tight. Plus the head looks spotless I don't think there are to many miles on it, my engine was supposedly rebuilt about 15,000kms ago. Which I beleive as there seems to be pretty new timing components on it. Unless someone slapped a jdm top end and assoiciated parts onto a used bottom end. But I shall be performing a leakdown test shortly.