burning oil :(

HiImBrian · 06-03-2006

My 2g gsx is burning quite a bit of oil. I've swapped turbos hopeing that was the problem, but its still putting out quite of bit of blueish smoke

I've done a little research and talked to a few people and I've come to the conclusion that its probably my rings or valve stems. I don't have the money to do this whole project at once, so my questions are...

a) Would I be better off just swapping on a 1g head and replacing all the parts (as to swapping another 2g head)?

b) Can somebody help me find more information on this? I've looked some but I don't know what to type into the search bar.

thanks
-brian

Thor06 · 06-03-2006

Valve springs/retainers wont cause you to burn oil, if its not the turbo its either rings or valve stem seals.

HiImBrian · 06-03-2006

Oops! Your right, my mistake.

Thor06 · 06-03-2006

Heres my deep thought for the night. Shitty rings can cause you to burn oil correct? Also, shitty rings can attribute to low compression right? I'd do a compression check and if the compression is low, I would assume rings. If not I would assume valve seals. I seem to think its your valve seals. You can get them for cheap as hell so if you pull it, disassemble it, and have someone put the new seals on (you need a special too according to the haynes manual) it should be too bad. However, as long as you have it off, you should get a new head gasket and ARP headstuds and do the timing belt as well. Getting the valves done isnt exactly a bad idea either. Oh while your at it get some cams. See what happened to me when I needed to pull my head for a headgasket?

santa · 06-03-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thor06

Heres my deep thought for the night. Shitty rings can cause you to burn oil correct? Also, shitty rings can attribute to low compression right? I'd do a compression check and if the compression is low, I would assume rings. If not I would assume valve seals. I seem to think its your valve seals. You can get them for cheap as hell so if you pull it, disassemble it, and have someone put the new seals on (you need a special too according to the haynes manual) it should be too bad. However, as long as you have it off, you should get a new head gasket and ARP headstuds and do the timing belt as well. Getting the valves done isnt exactly a bad idea either. Oh while your at it get some cams. See what happened to me when I needed to pull my head for a headgasket?

You certainly do not need a special tool to install valve seals. find the right size socket and push them on by holding the socket in hand. Just make sure the seals are square once your done.

My guss is you've got some cracked ring glands, or else a possibly detonated piston.

Kevin

HiImBrian · 06-04-2006

How would I actually go about finding out what's wrong with it? I'm planing on getting a seperate 1g head and then I'll do all the seals, head gasket, arp headstuds, and cams. I would rather slowly build up a second head and then swap it in when it's all done. Anybody know of any good referances where I can read up on this more? And again, how would I actually go about finding out whats really wrong?

santa · 06-04-2006

The only way to find out about your piston's is to pull them out and check them. I'd check the head thats on your car now, once you decide to pull it off. Are you absolutly sure that this turbo that you put on is not bad too? I'm under the impression that it was used?

Kevin

HiImBrian · 06-04-2006

Yes this is a used turbo, I baught it from swift. I was smoking pretty bad with the turbo before too. There is a tiny bit of shaft play on my current turbo, but from what I understand from swift there is supposed to be a tiny bit where the oil can circulate.

HiImBrian · 06-05-2006

Compression results are here: 160:170

santa · 06-05-2006

I'd look further into it just to be sure your not burning oil that was left from the last turbo in the exhuast pipes? Also be sure to check that new turbo for any shaft play. I wouldn't just to ripping it apart so fast. Check that stuff over well and get back on here with your result.

Kevin

HiImBrian · 06-05-2006

Well, put this turbo in about 4 weeks ago and its still smoking pretty bad. One guy came into my work today after I was letting my car idle and cool down and told me my car was on fire! I just had to shake my head at that one. Anyways, I checked my current turbo for shaft play when I put it in and there was very minimal shaft play. But I was told that there should be a small amount of shaft play for the oil to circulate. Is this true?

Swifty1638 · 06-05-2006

Every turbo has a little bit of shaft play..that's normal. Hell the PTE dual BB turbo I sold a while back had TONS of play, but after talking to brian at PTE for a good amount of times..he assured that on that turbo, it was normal.

-A. Swift

**Kracka** · 06-06-2006

Why are you so convinced its your turbo?

HiImBrian · 06-06-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by S2kracka

Why are you so convinced its your turbo?

I don't think its my turbo, I'm just replying to what other people said.

Shane: How would I check for gas? Just change my oil and see if there's gas in it? Can you send me a link with more info on "blowby." I'm unfamiliar with that term. Thanks.
-brian

Shane55113 · 06-06-2006

check your oil for gas when you do an oil change, that would be a good sign that you have blowby.

Thor06 · 06-06-2006

Blowby is when air/fuel mixture passes between the cylinder wall and the piston do to shitty rings.

**scheides** · 06-06-2006

how much oil is burning? i.e. how many miles do you drive and then how much do you have to top it up?

HiImBrian · 06-06-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by scheides

how much oil is burning? i.e. how many miles do you drive and then how much do you have to top it up?

I don't know exactly how much I'm going through, I havn't had to top it off yet. I'm running ams oil 5w 30 and it's been a hair above full for a few weeks now.

Thanks for that url Shane, I'll try taking off the oil cap and feeling for air later today when I'm off work.
-brian

Shane55113 · 06-06-2006

To check if you have blowby you can either check your oil, it'll look smoky or hazy instead of just dark. And another good sign is when you start up the car and take off the oil cap and hold your hand over the oil cap hole and feel if a lot of air is moving through it, thats an ominous sign. i found something that may help http://www.misterfixit.com/blow-by.htm

Swifty1638 · 06-06-2006

It can also be caused by a cracked piston.

-A. Swift