I recently had an install and tuning session for an EMS. Prior to the install my vehicle consumed a normal amount of oil, 0.5 - 1qt. every three or four tank fill-ups and maintained an average oil pressure of 6.0 (x100kPa) during all driving conditions other than warm idle where it sat at about 1.0 (x100kPa).

During the dyno pulls after the EMS install I noticed a large amount of blue smoke from the exhaust and after the full tune my car consumed 2 qts. in about 200 miles of driving.

While I'm driving, I if I gun it and run it up to redline, blue smoke can be seen down the roadway. There is no apparent loss of power during this but the oil consumption rate is a huge concern for me.

Also, during the tune I had new plugs put in. The old plug on #3 had a lot of deposits on it but was still functional. #4 wasn't very clean either.

I'm going to pull the head this week and take a look at it but does anyone have any advice on what specifically I should look for? Would a bad head gasket cause oil sepage into the cylinder? A burnt valve maybe?

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it's not rings...

Any tips would be much appreciated.

 

In theory any of the three things you mentioned could account for burning oil. Sorry I couldn't be more specific.

 

Maybe it's time to check the compression and do a leak down?
Rings?
Valve seals?
PCV?

 

I'll be doing the compression and leak down before I pull the head. I just find it odd that it does not do it during normal driving (that I notice anyway), only WOT.

I can't remember but years ago someone told me that a puff of smoke during start-up meant one part was bad, a constant burn during normal driving was another thing and only at WOT was something else.

Or maybe I'm just smoking crack.

 

A puff at startup can mean valve seals, as can smoke under decceleration. WOT is likely rings if I remember correctly. I don't think either one of those describes a head gasket issue. To check that you can check the coolant for signs of oil and vice versa. That usually (not always) will give a clue about head gasket failure.

 

sounds like it could be a valve seal. once you do the compression test and leak down.. you should no more.

a friend of mine bought an 03 off the show room floor.. drove it around and noticed it smoked.. took it back to honda not even a week later.. the car had bent valves. he bought the car with only 9 miles on it.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by TheCop
I'll be doing the compression and leak down before I pull the head.