Oil Usage/ Oil On Plugs

I haven't been keeping close tabs on exactly how much oil the car is using, and I don't have an odometer to judge it by, anyway. I put in close to 2 quarts today, and I've topped it off at less than 1 quart a couple of times. I'd guess I've gone less than 2k miles since getting the car back from the engine rebuild by HPP Racing. I started thinking through how oil might be getting into the motor: The coolant looks clean. The PCV and both valve covers are vented to atmosphere. Some oil makes it into the catch can, but not enough. The down tube from the PCV port is bone dry. There are some minor drips in the garage, but not enough to account for this level of oil loss. The only other way I can think of oil getting into the motor through the intake would be due to a leak in the turbo. So, I pulled the inlet piping from the turbo to the throttle body, and it was dry as a bone. So, the oil is not coming through the compressor.

So, I pulled the plugs tonight. I started with the driver's side and it definitely seems that bank is burning oil:

#5 plug:


#7 plug:
#8 plug:


You can see oil along the threads. I could even see a few drops on the ledge under the plug hole. I'm guessing that the oil is blowing by the threads, because I can't imagine it working its way in the other direction.



The passenger side 1-4 plugs all looked good. I didn't take a pic of #6. So, I guess I thought it was ok, but I'll take another look to verify.

I was glad that the passenger side looked clean, because I think it's likely that the bottom of the motor is fine and that the pistons/rings were probably done right, or else the other bank would also have the problem. It is also evident that it's not coming from the inlet. Does this mean valve stems? If so, is it likely to affect 3 out of 4 on the same head at the same time?

I've got a compression gauge, and will see what kinda readings it gives on the weekend. Any other ideas/help is appreciated. -Chris

a91what said:

hmm not sure if tech.

Click to expand...

It's not the kind of tech that lists steps or shows an installation, but it's this kind of tech:

Technical questions are those questions that are either:

A) Asking for diagnostic help (troubleshooting)

Click to expand...

And... thanks for the help. I really think a lower intake gasket issue is much more likely than a valve stem seal issue.

I'm looking into which 1262 gaskets to order, and in getting an intake angle gauge to make sure all my ducks are in a row before diving in.

It's been a while. Are the upper and lower gaskets as well as permatex ultra black all I should need to replace the lower gasket? That's all I can remember.

I'll avoid it if I can. They're almost new. I'll order some just in case. Do any of the bolts dip into water ports? I don't think so, but can't really recall.