95 SL1 oil dripping out tailpipe

[gearette]

I noticed oil dripping out my tailpipe the other day and am wondering if I should bother to fix it (guessing i need rings, at least). Also has a very rough idle and loss of power. I put 1-2 qt. a week in the car, and have for a while. Has 140,000 mi. Have limited funds for repairs as i am currently unemployed. Still runs, but wonder how long. Summer is coming, when the overheating problem will start up again, too. I know a wrench or two that can prob do the work, but Dad thinks the car is done and wants to buy me a new car, not put money into this one. Suggestions anyone?

[mysatilac]

1-2 qts. a week is ALOT!
yeah it seems like you may want to consider a new car or engine,

You could do a teardown and rebuild for the rings, could also be your head gasket
But both are expensive to fix

You can get another car for about the same price if your not picky...

If its a really nice car or has great sentimental value, then you may want to get a teardown manual and do this yourself (or your "wrench" buddies), thats the cheapest way and may still cost you up to but not more than $500 for parts expect about $200 before you jump on the project.
But if your buddies are worth convincing to do this they should have already told you all this,
Really your call on what to tell your dad to do 2 options about the same $$ though, heres a quick breakdown

Spend the money to buy a new car
-(minus) anything you can get for your current car
________________________________________________ (equals) about what you'll spend fixing your current car.

for example
$1000 for new car
- $500 for current car (if your lucky)
________________________________
~$500 for teardown/rebuild (again if your lucky)

[sierrap615]

try this: http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23676

and buy a new PCV valve from a saturn dealership(aftermarket/generic PCV valves can cause oil burning)

[mysatilac]

Originally Posted by sierrap615

try this: http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23676

and buy a new PCV valve from a saturn dealership(aftermarket/generic PCV valves can cause oil burning)

Good suggestions, never seen Marvel Mystery Oil used like that (and its not on the bottle that its made for anything like this), but I have used it in the gas tank and oil crankcase, and I hear it has all sorts of uses.
Dont like the suggestion that overfilling the crankcase is OK though, I would just fill to full. Or change the oil and leave enough room for the 12oz.s you're going to add.

Seems like a quick fix, but cheap enough to be worth a try!

The PCV valve by itself would not account for the amount of oil being burned, but probably would go bad after that amount of oil passes through it.
If he can get a new car outta the deal though I'd go with that
Again good suggestions

[sierrap615]

you can put in about a quart over before the crankshaft starts to airate the oil.

but i also suggest changing the oil between 50-300 miles after the soak

[mysatilac]

thanks for the info.
also hes burning it up quick enough it probably wouldn't be overfilled too long...unless this fix works

[gearette]

Thx for advice guys. Dad is on the lookout for new vehicle. But this one has been soooo reliable and never any major probs. I am getting sick of it tho, had it for over 5 years and would like something bigger. I still plan to check with my buddies, see if they can run some tests or look it over and verify the problem. Read in another thread about condensation mixing w/ carbon deposits too. Never had any exhaust work done. But going thru a qt. a week leads me to believe its more likely in the motor somewhere. Tried FI cleaner for rough idle, it usually helps but didn't this time. Was told to tear down throttle body and clean it. Would that help anything?

[mysatilac]

it would probably help or fix that rough idle, but wouldn't change the oil consumption. Again if you like that car, then sierrap615 left you a good post about a quick fix that will fix or at the very least help the problem, makes good sense and I'm anxious to hear if it works for you
please post again soon
________________________________________
Posted by sierrap615 - 02-27-2005 at 11:13 PM
try this: http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23676

and buy a new PCV valve from a saturn dealership(aftermarket/generic PCV valves can cause oil burning)
_________________________________________

[gearette]

Will prob try the MMO thing, but in a couple weeks when the weather warms up a bit. Just got a snowstorm today, not good weather for being outside working on cars if I can help it! (But the white smoke might not be so noticable with all the blowing snow...lol)

[mysatilac]

understandable... I don't like the cold much (love texas never seen a deep freeze, only a few snow storms that you'd probably laugh at)

But once you try the MMO thing be sure to repost, I'll be lookin for it