1996 Ford Explorer Oil consumption

RANDY WILLIAMS

MEMBER
1996 FORD EXPLORER
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
134,000 MILES

I had it smogged and passed fine. However it uses a Qt of oil every 80 miles. No smoke, ck engine lt, and runs strong. I took off intake manifold and its saturated with oil. Prior to smogging I replaced heads (new) they came as complete heads, valves, springs all assembled. I honed cylinders as best I could with pistons in

1 Reply

PEAR69

MECHANIC
1,482 POSTS

WHAT? You honed the cylinders with the pistons still installed? Oh My God. Are you kiddin? If this is not a joke then you destroyed your motor. Your piston oil rings are leaking oil past the cylinder wall and it is going somewhere. When you hone the cylinder walls the engine should be removed and on an engine stand. But, it can be done with the engine installed, however, you must replace and re-fit the piston rings and usually install new -oversized pistons.
Don't worry though - the piston rings will eventually snap from the nice little bump you put in the cylinder wall after you honed it. The engine is going to blow up eventually - so why not see what it's like to be in a car when the engine explodes. Not many people ever experience this -- it's actually pretty cool.