Intermittent oil consumption

Tiny
JONNYDANGER
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 KIA SEPHIA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 121,000 MILES
1999 Kia Sephia 1.8 Standard 120,000 glorious miles

New to the forum, excuse me if this problem is old news.

I took a trip from Dallas to NYC and burned a quart of oil every 500 miles, then it stopped. Drove back and burned nothing for the first 1000 miles, then a quart for the remaining 500.

Now that I'm home, off the highways, it's pretty much the same deal with city driving.

The tip of my exhaust is black as you would imagine. Sometimes, in its oil burning state, I get a pretty good-sized puff when it's first started. I do believe that's a sign of valve guide seals (usually). There are no signs of an exterior leak.

I had this problem once before with an MGB. In the primitive PCV system the ball stuck and vacuumed oil from the top end. Don't know enough about Kia design to know if my current issue is similar.

I'd really appreciate and help. Wish I had a freebee Super Bowl ticket to offer
($2800), but I don't.
Wednesday, January 26th, 2011 AT 3:41 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
With the age and mileage, the valve seals are most probably worn and funny thing about oil consumption, it can be intermittent depending on the driving condition.
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Thursday, January 27th, 2011 AT 4:17 PM
Tiny
JONNYDANGER
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  • 3 POSTS
As I stated, it's the same, city or highway. Since I got the car used, who knows what work was done by previous owners.
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Thursday, January 27th, 2011 AT 4:28 PM
Tiny
JONNYDANGER
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
The engine could actually have very few miles on it. I've been reading about the location of the PVC but haven't found it yet. But then I haven't a lift.
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Thursday, January 27th, 2011 AT 4:30 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
Mileage is one thing but the age should be the main factor here. Seals hardens over time.

I could not find any diagram of the PCV location for you. It should be on valve cover and the hose should run to the air intake.
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Thursday, January 27th, 2011 AT 4:43 PM

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