I think I'm screwed!

**10erg01** · 03-21-2011, 03:55 AM

My 98 formula is burning oil like crazy. I've change the PCV valve and it did nothing. There was a lot of oil in it when I replaced it. I'm thinking that it's is either the head gasket or piston rings. But what do you guys think also how much would repairs be (a general estimate) for each and it also has 150k on it. Thanks for the help.

**jiveass** · 03-21-2011, 04:10 AM

so its smokin? if so is it constant? or just when you first start it? Probably cheaper to buy a crate engine....(around $2600) ....rebuilding a ls1 can be costly....and if youre gonna spend that kinda money, might as well upgrade to ls6 which can be had for around $3600.....

**Smittro** · 03-21-2011, 04:21 AM

Are you sure it's oil and not coolant??

Oil burns with blue smoke..

Coolant burns with white (sometimes thick) fog like smoke..

**10erg01** · 03-21-2011, 04:57 AM

Originally Posted by Smittro

Are you sure it's oil and not coolant??

Oil burns with blue smoke..

Coolant burns with white (sometimes thick) fog like smoke..

Actually I've ne'er seen smoke but there is a milk like substance when I look in the oil cap. Also I know there is no leak cause I've looked all over for one.

**jiveass** · 03-21-2011, 05:32 AM

Originally Posted by 10erg01

Actually I've ne'er seen smoke but there is a milk like substance when I look in the oil cap. Also I know there is no leak cause I've looked all over for one.

look at the dipstick and see if it looks milky

**10erg01** · 03-21-2011, 06:46 AM

Originally Posted by jiveass

look at the dipstick and see if it looks milky

Not milky but does have condensation on it and some rust spots.

***SMWS6TA*** · 03-21-2011, 07:36 AM

Have you check your coolant lately? Make sure it doesn't have oil in it.

When you say your burning oil like crazy how much? LS1s do consume oil.

These are a possibility for the oil leaks:

When you changed the pcv did you just changed it or the entire hose? Also you have a 98 how is your oil pressure reading? is the gauge working all of the time?

PCV- the hose splits in the back of the intake one goes to the passenger vale cover the other the drivers valve cover and then on to the pcv. It does leak at that Y split.

OPSU (oil pressure sending unit) - this PITA is also located behind the intake on the drivers side. It is very fragil and gets brittle over the life time of heat cycles. If you done any intake work or have moved the hose that comes off the break booster it can easily break the OPSU. Check there for a leak

What mods do you have/any recent work? I wouldn't think piston rings are an issue unless you run NO2 on stock pistons and rings. And even then you need to be using it alot.

Now base on what your OP (and assuming no NO2) I think your head gasket is going.

If you can, do a compression test on the cylinders. It will help you narrow down which one is having the leak.

It might not be as bad as you think. You can do the work if you got the tools and time. That can save you alot of $$$