Rusty or anyone if you read this, I took your advise and changed to 10/40 conventional oil, during my last trip I only went like 400 miles and burned 2 quarts. the engine has good power, seems to burn pretty clean at idle anyway, has a small amount of black in the tail pipe. No leaks or oil spots under the coach.

I saw where defective PCV valves may cause excessive oil use, they are cheap so I will change it, but sounds silly. Does timing affect oil consumption? I have removed or the PO has removed most pollution deterrents. Any further advice? I have never checked the timing, I guess I need two folks to check it.

Duane, with that kind of oil consumption you should be seeing blue smoke out your exhaust. Some oils do not show as much as others. You can get smoke less oil. A used car sales favorite. I would start with new valve guide seals. 25+ years can take a toll on seals.

Craig has a good point. Seals can be changed without pulling the heads.

Might just be gummed up rings from sitting too long or few oil changes. Hopefully as you run it the oil will loosen the rings and they will work better.

Have you checked compression? Might get some info there.

Maybe, I don't know at higher loads if there is blue smoke, I can't run that fast. But at idle and with a bit of rev's it is normal exhaust. Shell is in it right now.

So you think I can change the valve seals without pulling the heads, do I put air in the spark plug hole to hold up the disconnected valves, thought I read somewhere I could do that. I will do a compression check as soon as it gets to be a bit warmer. Perhaps if OPEC has enough oil I can come down to you Steve and get some help...lol

quote:

Originally posted by Duane88:
So you think I can change the valve seals without pulling the heads, do I put air in the spark plug hole to hold up the disconnected valves, thought I read somewhere I could do that.

Yep, piston at top in firing position, air in plug hole, remove rocker arm, pop off valve spring, swap seal. Pretty easy really. There is a lever tool to compress the spring, I have one you can use. Maybe have time at the GTG.

I will send you paperwork for tow dolly registration as soon as I get home.

Ok Steve, would be real cool if we could do that at Snotan. If you PM me your address I will get a check off to you for the dolly. We can settle up for the starter at the GTG if my starter holds up till then. I also will get new valve stem seals, and valve cover gaskets right away.

Craig, come to Snotan another set of hands as good as yours would be great. My carburetor loves you. lol

I agree with SteveVW and Doorman. Changing oil brands can result in temporary abnormal consumption in diesels, but it's rare in gassers.

The lack of major smoke points to the seals rather than rings.

I have owned the coach for a year now, took several short trips of 80 to 100 miles when I first got it running, do not remember how much oil I used then. Last fall I went to the Ohio GTG that was about 450 miles each way, used 2.5 quarts going over, but only 1 on the trip home, drove a lot faster going home too. So all I have done since then is several 10-20 mile test trips after repairs and changes, except for the recent Chicago trip.

After the Ohio GTG I thought it was straightening out, for that trip I had 5-30 Synthetic oil in it, now using 10-40 conventional.

I love this old thing.