car guzzling oil

[SHO--ripper]

At start up my car puffs white smoke out the exhaust. I need to constantly check the oil because it goes through quarts like nothing. i think it might be the valve seals. if i were to replace these would i need to take off the head?

 

[shojuan]

Nah, you should be able to replace them with the heads installed.

Rick

 

[SHODWN]

there was a post about this a few weeks ago on shotimes, it was saying to try the Vavoline for high miliage engines.

I thought it might be a hoax but I gave it a shot and it seems to work. I left my 92 at the tranny shop while I picked up and drove my 97 out to Rochester, then fely lazy over the weekend to 4 days later I got it. Started it up and no more smoke..

I guess it softens the old seals and makes them tight.

 

[SHO--ripper]

thanks for the advice SHODWN; i will definatly use Vavoline oil. Hopefully it will work as good for me as it did for you.

 

[projectSHO89]

If your valve seals or valve guides were worn, you would see a puff of BLUE smoke at startup after the engine had been sitting idle for a period of time, not white smoke.

As far as oil consumption, you would need to quantify the consumption before assuming that the rate is excessive. Many new car manufacturers will consider 1 quart per 1K miles to be "in spec" (that means they won't do anything about it).

Steve

 

[sdpatt]

The "high mileage" oils from Valvoline and Castrol have ingredients to aid the old oil seals in doing their job. My old girl is officially on Geritol now: Castrol GTX High Mileage 10W-30. The white smoke on startup is most likely the valve guide seals leaking. Replacing these requires the removal of the intake, valve covers, timing belt, camshafts, tappets and springs. Changing oil is much simpler and cheaper. It's worth a try.