Is this Rod Bearings, Rings, or Valve seals?

[DJ SHO]

3.0L Status as of today:

No full 60k work ever, to my knowlege.
Just plugs, wires, cps, h20 pump. Original valve cover, plug well, and crank seals (both of which are leaking slightly BTW).

Here's the problem. Motor runs good and strong. I've been using Lucas oil stabilizer with Valvoline Maxlife 10w30 for the past 12 months which has brought oil consumption down from 600 miles for a 1 qt loss, up to about 2700 miles.

Just this week, I noticed that she's burning some oil. I'm unsure as to what is the cause. the only time she burns any is when you downshift (so the torque on the motor/crank is sent back in the other direction) and then you get back on the throttle (doesn't even have to be hard acceleration either). During the coasting/downshift it doesn't burn any. Just when you initially get back on the gas. IT lasts for about 2 seconds then goes away.

So where does this leave me? I plan on doing the rod bearings anyways on Thursday next week as a good piece of mind (193k miles... ). I'm just wondering if this is going to help solve my recent oil burning problem. I don't think the rod bearings are TOTALLY shot yet. I don't get the clatter on cold startup, but I do hear it on hot days when taking off in 1st once in a while.

Opinions? Valve seals, rod bearings, or piston rings causing this? Also, under hard throttle in any gear she doesn't smoke at all.

TIA.

 

[Mike Kopstain]

Do your rod bearings, definetly. They are not your problem, but it's great preventative maintenance, especially at 193,000 miles.

As for your problem, it's either the valve guides or the valve seals, both of which should be replaced at the same time. The consumption does not occur during coast down because there is significantly less pressure in the crankcase.

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

making sure the PCV hoses and passages are clear might help

I know it sure helped my burning issue. The hose from the front head cover to the throttle body had worked itself between the front surge tank and the head cover, getting pinched. I got new hose, and re-routed it. And I cleaned the PCV passages in the throttle body. They were pretty gummed up.

No more burning
But it still leaks a bit Rear head cover seal