What causes the K8 to suddenly burn oil?

[Carnuck]

This one has 244,000 miles on it and when my neighbor bought it, it was great for 2 weeks then it drank a quart in one tank. I tried the PCV first, but no go. Now it's being topped off with 15W50 synthetic (I have a case from my 454 powered '82 Chev C20) it's a shame because it still runs well, but the little V6 is too expensive for her to fix.
Any ideas would be appreciated.

[Ryan]

Dear lord, get the molasses out of the poor thing.


Put in some 5W30 before you wreck it. If you want an explanation on this, go read http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/motor-oil-101/

Next up is a simple compression test.

Sudden loss of oil is likely a leak. Any puddles?

Possible option is rings. Compression test will tell you. Another hint is if it smoked under high RPM high throttle.

Possible option is valve guides. If it smokes more on startup, this is the likely culprit

[Carnuck]

It went through 4 quarts of 5W30 and one 5w40 in a tank of gas. No external leaks, replaced the PCV and still it smokes heavily unless it has synthetic in it. The tailpipe seems to be the sole source and yet it runs quite well.

[Carnuck]

I see the synthetic 15W50 has a startup thickness of 80. Compared to the 5W30 thickness of 60.

[Daninski]

Ha, sounds like the seller added STP to temporarily stop it from burning oil. Determine if it's rings or valve seals then go from there. Rings, smokes when you accellerate, valve seals, smokes on start up or deceleration.

[Carnuck]

It smokes on startup, revving, idling, cruising, decelerating. Only time it doesn't smoke is when the key is shut off.

[Ryan]

Then you're looking at rings more than likely.

No quick and easy fix for that.

If its just sludged up, seafoam or a similar product might be a miracle. I have seen a KL compression ring literally oil caked into the side of the piston causing it to be rigid and not seal.

Try a compression test, that would tell us a lot.

[wytbishop]

Probably a combination of rings worn and also stuck in the ring grooves. It's pretty common on older engines that are not well cared for. Carbon builds up on the rings and they stop floating in the grooves and stick to one side. Then the side that is contacting the cylinder wall the most wears much faster. Several of the engines I've taken apart over the years have had this condition.

Seafoam will not fix it. The rings are shot and probably the cylinders need a hone or an oversize. You're in engine rebuild territory.

[Ryan]

I inherited a KLDE in unknown condition and just popped it in my winter car... burned about 1L/1000km for the first few weeks.

Since it was free, and I had a spare K8 in known good condition, I just tried a good-ol Italian tune up.

Romped on it for a few weeks, and now it doesn't burn much if any oil. I check it before oil changes now, not at tanks.

I know its not a scientific or absolute or even likely to work method, but it worked for me I do think that a bit of hard work and heat can loosen up some crud in the compression/ignition system.

Motor is still a pile, it knocks a bit (enough that I can feel it in the cabin at idle) but I'm not sweating it. Still pulls pretty good, surprisingly. I have lot of respect for DE's.

[MrMazda92]

Ryan, that's a bit ghetto for someone as smart as you! I know that you'd fix it if you broke it though, so more power to you!

[Ryan]

Yeah, I have one baby to care about... don't need two.

Motor blows, in goes a K8. simple as that.

The entire car has about $800 out of me, and its KL MTX swapped and painted. Not bad.



But seriously. it worked.

[Josh]

RYAN is completely right!

Sometimes when car has tones of sludge build up the rings stick and rodding the hell out of it can brake them loose. Another trick is to pour ATF or WD-40 down the cylinders and let them sit over night rotating the motor a couple of times every few hours. But the molasses you are using for oil is not helping them any either.

Honestly the car/engine has 244K on it... It probably needs an overhaul. One could probably get away with doing it in the car. changing only the rod bearings, rings, and VG seals. given nothing else is wrong when you pull it apart.

[MrMazda92]

Yeah, I have one baby to care about... don't need two.

Motor blows, in goes a K8. simple as that.

The entire car has about $800 out of me, and its KL MTX swapped and painted. Not bad.



But seriously. it worked.

Am I mistaken, or is this some K8 love?

Build one, it'll make you feel good inside!

[Ryan]

Oh come on, really? I understand this is the internet and its hard to find meanings in stuff, but seriously?

I just have the K8 laying around.

Thats it. No love. Nice try looking though

[Carnuck]

She doesn't have an extra $1,000 kicking around for parts and I don't have time to finish my own projects.