oil is slowly spitting out of my exhaust, needs major work

**99bluebird** · 05-31-2007, 07:48 AM

So I upgraded to a trans am from my 110k mile firebird because I got a sweet deal. However, the engine has burnt 2 quarts of oil across 2000 miles. The car has 54k miles but "supposedly" the guy before me recently rebuilt the engine 5k miles ago. The reason for the rebuild was the previous owner running nitrous. Anyway I can see little droplets of oil spitting out the exhaust, tiny but consistant. I am guessing this is not a function of the recent rebuild but rather a poor job and the rings are leaky. Still runs strong. BTW car has mild cam, longtubes. Is this definetly rings or how should I diagnose? And if it needs rebuilding how should I go about it? I would like to spend less than $6000 if possible. BTW I am near the STL/memphis area.

options:
1) rebuild this engine with new rings
2) get a remanufactured engine from jasper
3) get an ebay low mileage engine
4) other?

**slims00ls1z28** · 05-31-2007, 01:22 PM

Check the plugs. Are you for sure its oil out of the pipes. Sometimes the condensation inside the exhaust mixes with the soot and shoots out black liquid that looks like oil but is actually water turned black. Fbods are notorious for using oil in the first place mine did since new.

**01outlaw** · 05-31-2007, 01:31 PM

mine spits the black condensation out also

**99bluebird** · 05-31-2007, 04:05 PM

Yea that actually came to my attention while I was examining the spray pattern. My exhaust has a thick layer of carbon build up so its possible its water condensation blackened. I will have to collect some to examine this further. I somewhat feel like an idiot for assuming its oil, but it is also consistent with oil loss of 2 qts across 2000 miles. I guess this could just be the rings seating themself from the rebuild 5k miles ago. Would a compression test be a good idea regardless?

**shady milkman** · 05-31-2007, 04:24 PM

Originally Posted by 99bluebird

Yea that actually came to my attention while I was examining the spray pattern. My exhaust has a thick layer of carbon build up so its possible its water condensation blackened. I will have to collect some to examine this further. I somewhat feel like an idiot for assuming its oil, but it is also consistent with oil loss of 2 qts across 2000 miles. I guess this could just be the rings seating themself from the rebuild 5k miles ago. Would a compression test be a good idea regardless?

get the compression test. you shouldn't be loosing 2qt every 2000 miles thats not right.

**shady milkman** · 05-31-2007, 04:25 PM

also replace your pcv valve

**slims00ls1z28** · 05-31-2007, 07:10 PM

and check plugs.

**99bluebird** · 05-31-2007, 10:11 PM

I am so newb. Please explain how the PCV valve and plugs could affect oil consumption?

**DaddySS** · 06-01-2007, 01:01 AM

Plugs won't but PCV is there to provide vacuum to the "Crankcase" to draw off fumes and burn them. If it remains open excessively, it will provide too much vacuum and draw off oil too.

1 to 2 Quarts per 2 to 3000 miles is not unusual for an LS1, especially when operated in high RPM, low load. Black condensation dripping is normal.

**blue02Z** · 06-01-2007, 03:57 AM

when i tried royal purple my car started burning oil, but after swithcing away from it it doesnt burn very much at all. the only way i know it sometimes i can smell it in the exhaust

by the way, do you smell burnt oil coming from the exhaust??

**Sarge** · 06-01-2007, 04:11 AM

Sounds like your crankcase isn't ventilated as mentioned above.
Check and insure your PCV valve is operation ( as mentioned already) make sure your vacuum hoses are all connected properly and you don't have any of them reversed....get a catch can.....lastly I would get a vented oil filler cap...........