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Oil Consumption ??

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Old Jun 4, 2005 | 11:19 PM
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Default Oil Consumption ??

I have discovred that I am pumping oil on #6 cyl fouling the plug after approx. 500miles. I have noticed smoke when decelerating off freeway ramp etc. (engine braking) What is the most likely source? I take it there is a lot of vacuum in the cyls under these circumstances, would it likely be valve seals? I have not performed a compression test yet, will be doing that monday. I don't see smoke when accelerating or at idle, at least not a noticeable amount. I sure hope I don't have to tear the whole engine down I have performed a compression test and all cyl. look good, 155-160psi. The suspect cyl is one of the highest.

Last edited by chadman; Jun 10, 2005 at 07:40 PM.
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Old Jun 4, 2005 | 11:24 PM
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Valve seals are likely the problem - how old (how many miles) is that engine/the heads ??

What heads do you have ?? This is a very good excuse to buy aluminum heads with smaller combustion chamber

If you "only" want to replace the seals - take one of the old plugs, drill a hole in it for a NPT fitting, connect a hose to it so that you can use that with a compressor to pressurize the cylinder. that way the valve will not fall down on the piston and you can replace the seal with the heads installed. You probably want to replace the valve springs at this time since you have them out anyway... rent the valve spring compressor from AutoZone - it's free....
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Old Jun 5, 2005 | 09:29 AM
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Originally Posted by chadman
I have discovred that I am pumping oil on #6 cyl fouling the plug after approx. 500miles. I have noticed smoke when decelerating off freeway ramp etc. (engine braking) What is the most likely source? I take it there is a lot of vacuum in the cyls under these circumstances, would it likely be valve seals? I have not performed a compression test yet, will be doing that monday. I don't see smoke when accelerating or at idle, at least not a noticeable amount. I sure hope I don't have to tear the whole engine down
This happened to me some years back...except it was #8.I pulled intake and found gasket problem.replaced gasket,and all is fine now.119,600,and counting....Btw: My plug fouled out at approx 600 miles....I have some valve seal leak,as well,but not a factor,as such...
Rich
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Old Jun 9, 2005 | 09:40 PM
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I bought this motor as an overhauled and built unit 3yrs ago. Just got it running for the first time. My experience has been that valve seal leaks produce a little smoke at startup, I don't have that. Assuming I have good compression is there any way to tell for sure that the problem is valve seals??
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Old Jun 9, 2005 | 09:51 PM
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Originally Posted by chadman
I bought this motor as an overhauled and built unit 3yrs ago. Just got it running for the first time. My experience has been that valve seal leaks produce a little smoke at startup, I don't have that. Assuming I have good compression is there any way to tell for sure that the problem is valve seals??
Yes, take the two seals out and replace them - if it stops burning oil you're fine
Honestly, this is easy if you have the equipment to do it yourself (compressor) ... on a re-built engine it can only be due to improper installation of these seals, these normally don't just leak for no reason.... it may be the intake gasket... again, if you can do it yourself it is a lot cheaper to just replace this gasket than paying a shop to find the source for the leak...
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Old Jun 9, 2005 | 11:16 PM
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Yeah, I installed the intake manifold myself, I can do it again. Here is a little more on the symtoms. If I rev over about 3000rpm and then decelerate in gear I get a lot of smoke from the right exhaust as I'm engine braking. The smoke continues for several seconds after I begin normal driving again as if I sucked quite a bit of oil, then it clears up and no more smoke unless I engine brake again. I certainly want to start with the easiest solution first but I want to get it fixed!! Hate the smoke and the fouled plug.
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Old Jun 10, 2005 | 07:43 PM
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What do you all think is the most likely cause. Intake manifold gasket or valve seals?? I'm starting to lean toward the intake manifold since I don't seem to have any leaking down the stems when the motor is off and causing smoke at start up. Am I on the right track??
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