Well guys, to my genuine surprise I found that I'm loosing oil. And since it is not leaking I went ahead and started looking where it went...this is what I found: some on the air filter(???????) and some on the plugs...I'm thinking that It's just the rings, but don't understand the air filter part...I was going to do pistons/rods/rings in spring...may be even valves/seats/springs...but I really didn't think that I would see oil consumption this winter....any other ideas?

 

Sounds to me like valve guides or piston rings are worn. Any other things happening like misfiring or hesitation?

 

None of that...actually feels like its pulling better

 

what kind of oil do you use?

 

Castrol Syntec 10W-30

 

try using non-synthetic. synthetic oil leaks like hell. you can use the same weight though.

 

What if I just get higher weight synthetic? I would really hate to go back to plain oil. I'm married to synthetics. And if I do the rings do you think it's gonna be fine?

 

my buddy used to work at jiffy lube, and he said that a lot of cars that leak oil when using synthetic go to the same weight of conventional oil and it solves most of it. you dont know what was used in the motor before you got it. chances are, its already gunked up about as bad as its going to get as long as you take care of it. and do a compression test like it says in the haynes manual, doing it once normally, then again after pouring a couple of drops of oil into each cylinder. if its piston rings, then it will be higher the second time. the oil seals them up a little.

 

I'll do a cpmpression test as soon as its done raining...to tell you the truth I do know what was in the engine before and I'm really disgusted ($1.25 filters and Shell oil). I want this motor to live till spring and than it'll get reincarnated...

 

if youve plans of an overhaul, then go ahead and use conven oil. once you do the overhaul, use conven for the first 1000 miles or so.
syn oil lubes too well and wont let it break in properly. after the first 1000-3000, go ahead and use the good synthetic.