92 3.0v6 burning oil

[99TrackerConv]

We picked up a 92 Caravan 3.0V6 3sp auto It has over 200K miles on it for $200 and runs great but burns about a quart of oil a week. Where do I start? I'd like to stop it from smoking from the tailpipe.

[yogi_123rd]

Unfortunately, there is no real fix for an engine burning oil. An engine burns oil when either the piston rings are worn and fail to control the oil or when the valve guide seals are worn. One of these problems would require an engine rebuild to correct, and the other would require just removing the heads and doing a valve job (machine shops do this service). Before you do anything, you would would need to assertain the condition of the piston rings thru a compression test. You wouldn't want to do a valve job and end up with no improvement because the rings were also bad.

What you can do is run the engine with the thickest oil you can (like a 40 wgt staight oil) so as to minimize the oil loss. The only drawback to this is during the winter months when the oil may be too thick to start the car. There are also teflon coating oil addative products on the market which claim using it will stop burning oil by coating and resealing worn parts of the engine. I no believer in those pie in the sky solutions, but if you think so, you can give it a try.

[99TrackerConv]

OK, Has anyone priced and engine rebuild kit? Or remanufactured engines?

I couldn't pass up this van for $200 it's in great condition inside and out execpt for the engine burning oil.

[jawss]

Hey, I might have a cheaper answer. Yogi is right but your solution could be simpler. I had the same problem and my brother gave me the same solution as yogi. Not being made of money though, I just wanted to find a way to stop the darn people from choking people with blue smoke while waiting waiting in traffic! Replace the valve stem seals. I did the job myself and it cost me around 20 bucks. And my 3L no longer smokes! If you do it yourself, dont worry about getting the new seals on the intake valves on the rear bank. You need to take the whole top off the intake to get at them. Its the exhaust valves seals that dry up the worst. Anyway, its a quick easy fix and my van, (almost a year later) still doesnt smoke. I hope your problem is as easy a fix as this. Good luck!

[typesix]

You might try a can of Restore, it may reduce oil problem if it's not the valves and is inexpensive. Click and Clack says it's one of the few additives that work.

[99TrackerConv]

Thanks guys I think I'll try a can of restore first and see what happens. If it helps but doesn't stop the burning I'll try the valve stem seals.

I hopes it that easy too. we're not made of money either but if I would still like to rebuild the engine and trans but NOT soon.