The ol' head gasket took a dump a month ago and with 212K on the clock and recent dirty oil (blackish grit), I decided to have the head completely rebuilt. My mechanic asked that I return at around 500 miles for an oil change and inspection of the head, so last weekend, I drove to Colorado Springs for an event. After returning, I'd have about 500-600 miles on the new head.
I didn't make it 75 miles before check oil light came on. I was a quart+ low.
Another 80 miles and I needed to add an additional quart. This time the oil on the dipstick was dirty- that blackish grit again.
I did notice smoke on hard acceleration, (something I'd never noticed before) and someone told me afterwards that they noticed smoke during a cold start that went away after a minute or so. Anywho, I ended up adding six quarts of oil to the beast before making it home from my trip.
Other than drinking oil, engine performance was quite good- strong power and around 14 MPG on both interstate and mountain highways (a couple of high passes). My mechanic spoke with the machine shop (a place with a great local reputation) and the shop is adamant about their work. They suggested that properly seated valves and new seals could increase compression enough that combustion is now being forced passed worn rings. I know my rings must have some wear and I've had to add oil on occasion, especially during high speed interstate driving. but find such a claim dubious, given that performance is good, but the ridiculous rate of oil burn. Mechanic will be doing a leak down test this week.
Have any of you experienced or heard of anything like this? Is it possible that my rings or cylinder walls are that sketch?
I didn't make it 75 miles before check oil light came on. I was a quart+ low.
Another 80 miles and I needed to add an additional quart. This time the oil on the dipstick was dirty- that blackish grit again.
I did notice smoke on hard acceleration, (something I'd never noticed before) and someone told me afterwards that they noticed smoke during a cold start that went away after a minute or so. Anywho, I ended up adding six quarts of oil to the beast before making it home from my trip.
Other than drinking oil, engine performance was quite good- strong power and around 14 MPG on both interstate and mountain highways (a couple of high passes). My mechanic spoke with the machine shop (a place with a great local reputation) and the shop is adamant about their work. They suggested that properly seated valves and new seals could increase compression enough that combustion is now being forced passed worn rings. I know my rings must have some wear and I've had to add oil on occasion, especially during high speed interstate driving. but find such a claim dubious, given that performance is good, but the ridiculous rate of oil burn. Mechanic will be doing a leak down test this week.
Have any of you experienced or heard of anything like this? Is it possible that my rings or cylinder walls are that sketch?
