Blue smoke and using oil

Hi,

What you described certainly sounds like the valve seals should have taken care of the issue. You mentioned a leak-down test. That is used for compression and not the oil rings. Was the engine compression good? Was it consistent across the cylinders? Also, were the valve stems in good condition?

When the valve covers were off, did the person inspect the drains in the heads? By chance, does the oil have a fuel smell to it? If you used a quart in 35 miles, there would have been a lot of smoke.

If you haven't already checked, see if there is a fuel smell in the oil. If it is getting thinned by too much fuel getting past the rings, that can be causing the issue as well.

Let me know.

Joe

Based on everything we know; I feel the oil control rings are most likely stuck on one or more pistons. I have seen this a number of times and the giveaway is that it happens when it is warm. Basically, the ring will seal but when it gets hot the carbon build-up loosens and allows oil past it. Then the carbon build-up gets worse as the oil burns.

The only way I know to check is first, take the engine apart and inspect the rings. Or you can use a borescope in the cylinders and look for any build-up on the rim of the tops of the pistons and scoring on the cylinder walls.

I wish I had an easier answer, but this is what I feel is happening. By chance, do you have access to a borescope?

Let me know.

Joe