Really bad oil burning

Elementality158 · 10-10-2006

I have a 92 AWD Plymouth Laser RS.

About a week ago my car started smoking and burning lots of oil out of both the exhaust and from under the hood. I did a compression test and the results are as follows, 4-1 150, 150, 150, 50. Yes, that is 50 in the first cylinder. My first though was piston is either cracked or has bad rings. I've been reading around and found that it could be valve seals or bent valves. Also read that timing off could cause bent valves, but i only have the problem in the 1st cylinder. Tonight i opened the oil cap while the car was running to dump some more oil in, and there was smoke just rolling out from the cap opening. This makes me think valves now. Anyone know if its pistons? Thats all i really need to know. I have another head i am working on now. The car still runs and gets me to work and back. Any input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Travis

Shane55113 · 10-11-2006

Take the head off and inspect it, its only gonna get worse so mine as well nip it in the butt before your car is inoperable.

tim · 10-11-2006

Do a leak down test. LSE, DB, or MAP would probably do it for you pretty cheap if you dont have an air compressor and the gauges. Otherwise the gauges can be bought on eBay for very cheap.

Elementality158 · 10-11-2006

For now the car needs to get me from work and back. Im just trying to get as much info as i can before the weekend. I will be ripping it apart on friday... i hope. Im going to look at the pcv valve, buy a new one of them. I dont want to take the whole head off until i know its the head, but if i have to then i have to. I would like to take it off when i have the other one built so i can just swap it and not have to mess with timing and all that more than once.

Pimpin Dsmstyle · 10-11-2006

Sounds like a bottom end issue =/ Buddy of mine cracked a ring lan and that's exactly what happened to him! The problem will only get worse between now and Friday. and If you plan to fix it by monday.. God be with you. I doubt if the bottom end is bad, that you will have an operating car come monday. Your best bet would be to buy a used long block. If you live close to one of our local shops, look into a leakdown test. That will give you a much better idea.

tnm27 · 10-11-2006

is there any oik is sprayed from the dipstick? check your coolant to see if oil is in there, from what you've wrote seems like a bottom end problem with the piston, i had a smiliar problem with the same number cylinder, ended up being the piston.

niterydr · 10-11-2006

Cracked piston or missing exhaust valves.
I would bet cracked piston.

On the plus side, 50 is one of the lowest I've heard of and the car still ran.
Congrats

.

Elementality158 · 10-11-2006

Well, looks like its time to drop a new longblock into her.

... wait.. no...

Gravy · 10-11-2006

Yeah, i did a HG and total time into it was a good 40 hours(bolt issues and other cosmetic stuff done as well) but it will be a damn busy weekend. No beer, friends or phone calls. GL!!!

FTR, i've seen a guy running with 50 psi compresion on another forum. Turned out to be a ring along with a nice little chunk of metal bouncing around inside the cylinder.

Psyco3k · 10-11-2006

Travis
Just buy a new motor. If you sink all the time and money it sounds like its gonna take to fix the Laser its never going to get done. When my engine craped out on me I found out it would of taken a whole hell of a lot of time/money to fix so I just replaced the block and i couldn't be happier.

-Adam

Elementality158 · 10-13-2006

I pulled the motor out tonight after work.... The thing is just totally covered in oil. Cant wait to pull another motor tomorrow... In the cold...

Is it worth it?

YES!