Time for a Head Gasket?

[Motorhead350]

I have had this problem for about a year and now it's getting worse. When I start the car it omits a lotta blue smoke for only a few seconds, but now within a few hundred miles of needing an oil change it's down one quart. Does it need a head gasket? Also I heard if you change it then forget about putting a blower on it because it will blow the engine. :bs: I don't see how and don't believe it. Any advice?

[RF Overlord]

When I start the car it omits a lotta blue smoke for only a few seconds, but now within a few hundred miles of needing an oil change it's down one quart. Does it need a head gasket?Most likely it's the valve seals/guides. A compression check will tell you if you have a bad head gasket, but I doubt it. What brand/viscosity oil are you using? How often do you change it?
Also I heard if you change it then forget about putting a blower on it because it will blow the engine. :bs:

[prchrman]

Most likely it's the valve seals/guides. A compression check will tell you if you have a bad head gasket, but I doubt it. What brand/viscosity oil are you using? How often do you change it? :bs:

RF de Brain is probably right...4.6 are known for this defect...had a 92 linc with 4.6 and if parked down hill would do the same thing...with 32 valves on our 4.6s that's a whole lot of seals...willie

[Motorhead350]

I use castrol GTX and change it every 3000 miles eventhough it could go 5000 because it's mostly highway. I also use a fram oil filter. Lets hope it's that simple because I also heard that it could be piston rings.

[jgc61sr2002]

What RF said. ^^^^^^

[RF Overlord]

I also heard that it could be piston rings.Bad rings will smoke when the car is warmed up and you lean on it...bad valve seals/guides will smoke first start of the day, or after the car idles a bit.

Try this:

Have someone follow you and find a area where you can get up some speed, downshift into second gear and take your foot off the gas for 10-15 seconds, then accelerate again. If it smokes then, you have bad valve seals or guides. Then try this: find a good clear straightaway, drive at moderate speed for a short distance, then step on it hard...if it smokes now, then you have bad rings. Be sure the car is thoroughly warmed up for both these tests.

One more thing: your sig shows the car having 85,000 miles...when was the last time you changed the PCV valve?

[Motorhead350]

One more thing: your sig shows the car having 85,000 miles...when was the last time you changed the PCV valve?
I don't believe it's ever been changed it hasn't been in a dealer sense 30,000 miles. I have just been changing the oil myself sense then. I guess we found the problem.

[RF Overlord]

I don't believe it's ever been changed The PCV valve should be changed every 60,000 miles (or sooner, if needed). Not to worry, though...it's an inexpensive part.

[Motorhead350]

Ok thats good news because it's mostly highway mileage so I guess I have nothing to worry about. I'll put it on my list for things that need to be fixed come spring because the car is about to go away for the winter. I don't want it crashed the 3rd winter in a row. :o

[Warpath]

Another way to check for ring damage is to run a compression check. Then put ~1 tablespoon of oil in the cylinder through the spark plug hole. Recheck compression. If compression rises significantly, then it is likely a ring issue. When my pistons cracked, my compression went from something like ~85 psi to ~110 psi from memory (which isn't any good anymore).

I agree with the others though. If its smoke on start up only, then its probably valve guides. Also check the bottom of the engine for any leaks from seals, oil pan, etc. and the PCV tubing on the opposite side of the engine from the PCV for oil. If the PCV system is clogged, it may blow oil through seals or into the other PCV tubing.

[Motorhead350]

Thank you I will have this serviced soon

[thePunisher]

yeah id say its a valve seal/guide issue. the head gaskets on these cars are multi layer steel...and they dont blow...youd need a hell of alot cylinder pressure to blow one....a compression test doesnt always reveal a blown head gasket...but i doubt thats it anyhow....worn rings will blow smoke on decel...not accel......this is because the vacuum created in the cylinder during decel sucks oil past the rings and the engine burns it. and it is normal for an engine to consume some oil...if youve only burned one quart just before a due oil change i wouldnt sweat it...