Burning Oil

[trendz]

Hi Guys,

Needs some help.

My oil level has been dropping significantly on my 99 Jdm GSR engine. I took notes of how many kms I do everyday for almost a week and check the oil levels each morning when the engine is completely cold.

After roughly 5 days, the oil level would be slightly be over the minimum level. This is consistent even when not driving within Vtec levels.

I would also notice after changing my oil twice already since I got the engine 4 months ago that it would get dark fairly quick.

There is a bit of carbon build up on the spark plugs on the top before the thread, but there is no trace of oil.

Compression tests resulted in ~ 210psi on all cylinders.

I suspected a bad O2 (even though there was no CEL) cause I have been running rich (tail pipe is all full of black carbon build up inside) and changed the one on the header. But no significant change so far as to why black smoke is coming out. I take it that my cat might be nearing its end would prob need to be changed that soon (6years old) or that the other O2 on the cat is the culprit. But I dont think this would explain why my engine would burn oil.

There is no blue smoke from what I know, there is no rough idle and the motor does not overheat and no significant power loss.

I run mobil 1 race oil, could this be the wrong oil to use in summer? Should I try 10W30 instead?

I was told to check/replace the pcv valve or pvc canister?? (something like that) if clogged, will get to that this weekend, but if thats ok, what more can I do? Leak down test would be great, but I would have to get someone to do that for me. What percentages should I be looking at for a GSR ?

Bottom line, could I be looking at bad piston rings (but wouldn't that give me low compression test on any of the cylinders?) or could it be the valve seals? My mechanic said they might have dried if the engine was on the shelf for too long before being swapped.

There is no visible leaks both on the top and under side of engine bay.

I just want to make sure I check everything I can before I have the engine taken apart and spend serious dough.

Given what I wrote down, anybody have an obvious diagnosis or steps I should do first?

Thanks in advance,

[Calesta]

Don't run the race oil. I think it's only one weight. Use Mobil1 synthetic 5w30 or 10w30.

Your oil control rings could be out on the engine- those can die and let your engine burn oil, but still give good compression test results. This happened on my first B20/VTEC setup.

[trendz]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Calesta @ Jun 27 2006, 02:17 AM) [snapback]101998[/snapback]</div>

Don't run the race oil. I think it's only one weight. Use Mobil1 synthetic 5w30 or 10w30.

Your oil control rings could be out on the engine- those can die and let your engine burn oil, but still give good compression test results. This happened on my first B20/VTEC setup.
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I changed my oil to 5w30 and used a conditioner to clean and flushed the engine. So if it still burns oil with this lighter oil, than I can be sure that the oil control rings are done? where exactly are they located? Also was wondering if a leak down test would show anything....


Thanks

[dubcac]

You can't be sure that it is the oil control rings. Do a leakdown for a more accurate diagnosis.

[trendz]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dubcac @ Jun 27 2006, 02:12 PM) [snapback]102014[/snapback]</div>

You can't be sure that it is the oil control rings. Do a leakdown for a more accurate diagnosis.
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That's the last thing I haven't done, thanks

I'll post an update with results.

[Calesta]

No, you can't be sure it's the oil control rings- that's just a possibility. Leakdowns are one of the best diagnostic tests you can perform- but they still won't necessarily tell you what's wrong. It's better than guessing though.

[trendz]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Calesta @ Jun 27 2006, 11:13 PM) [snapback]102043[/snapback]</div>

No, you can't be sure it's the oil control rings- that's just a possibility. Leakdowns are one of the best diagnostic tests you can perform- but they still won't necessarily tell you what's wrong. It's better than guessing though.
[/b]

Never got to do the leak down test, but flushed engine thouroughly and oil levels are now stable. Sticky valves maybe??

Thanks all again.

[KECECAVESCURA]

You site very good and interesting . Thanks and sory
qg
<a href=http://www.geocities.com/lizzieconway97/>sory</a>

sory

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