Burning Oil

[lionelkirk2004]

I test drove a 1995 Buick Riviera and it was burning oil. Now the guy said that the oil is dripping from the Valve cover on to the engine, what could this problem be and how would I fix it? And the cost. Please help.

[tman]

One of three things are happening

1)Valve Cover GHaskets are leaking, allowing oil to contact exhaust manifold and burn.

Solution: Replace Valve cover gaskets, easy, cheap fix

2) Intake manifold gaskets are leaking, allowing oil and/or coolant to leak on to exhaust manifold and burn

Solution: Replace Intake manifold gaskets and seals. Difficult job, because a lot has to be removed in order to replace gaskets. Gaskets themselves are relatively cheap

3) Head gaskets have failed. This would allow oil to again drip onto the exhaust manifold, burning.

Solution, replace the head gaskets. Very difficult job. Requires removal of intake manifold, valve covers, and then each head. Very detailed, large time consumer. Gaskets relatively cheap, but plan on a couple of days to do it right, or a large wad of money for the dealer to do.

#3 is the worst case scenario. #1 is most likely the culprit, but #2 is also somewhat likely. Look under the hood and thouroughly investigate where the leak is occurring.

Hope this helps.

[lionelkirk2004]

Thanks For the Help! Might need to ask you a few more things.