When a car burns oil, is there a way to tell whether its the valve seals, or the rings, or something else thats causing the problem?

 

leakdown test

also, does it burn all the time or just when you really get on it?


[Modified by TurboR616, 3:44 PM 11/26/2001]

 

So if it only burns when you dog it, its the valves because of the increase in oil pressure?

 

Most cars will burn a little oil if you get on it. Example: If you run a track event, you should/could burn a little oil and be ok. That's why you over fill when you are at the track. If you are burning a lot I would have it checked.

 

So you use the leakdown test to determin which cylinder(s) is the culprit?

 

Do you have an oil catch can? The oil could be going straight into your intake manifold.

 

Catch can will help, especially if you track or autocross your ITR.

 

how do you know if you're burning oil?

 

Serious?

 

If your serious then, you can tell if you check your oil and you lose alot of it.

 

yeah that's what i figured. i never heard of anyone "burning oil"... i figured it was just eating up a lot of it. i was thinking that it would be something more drastic.

 

It is drastic if you are burning alot.