Another problem, where do I look?
09-16-2009, 05:29 PM
#25
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: north carolina
Posts: 206
if its burning oil, my guess is the it was burning it before th e x-pipe. the cats burn off excess fuel and do the same for oil going out of the exhaust. if its now excessive (1 quart a week) dont worry about it.
09-16-2009, 07:30 PM
#26
The smoke is getting worse so I just bought some stuff you add to the oil thats supposed to temporarily seal off leaks so we will see how that goes. I just need it to work long enough so I can save up the amount of money it will cost to do a PI swap. I am now 100% sure I am going to do that PI swap, if I don't sell the damn thing first.
Last edited by huey_33; 09-16-2009 at 07:33 PM.
09-17-2009, 10:59 AM
#27
Alright, so a cracked head is almost hopefully ruled out. I just checked the oil and the coolant in the car. The oil was a little low which was to be expected due to the car burning oil and the oil was still the normal color, smell and texture that it should be. The coolant was still green in color and it also still had the normal smell and texture. Just to make sure, I stuck my finger in some coolant so I could feel it and had no oily properties to it. So if everyone who mentioned valve stem seals were right, I will be changing them on my next couple days off. And yes I know it's a huge pain in the a$$. Just in case it's not the valve stem seals, does anybody else have any ideas on why the car would be burning oil this bad? And does anybody know step by step procedures on changing out valve stem seals? I looked everywhere and haven't been able to find anything on it. I have a good idea on how to do it, I just don't want to miss anything or forget something. Thanks.
Last edited by huey_33; 09-17-2009 at 11:02 AM.
09-17-2009, 04:15 PM
#30
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: OH
Posts: 564
I think Ford actually states that it is common for a higher milage 4.6 to burn about 1 quart every 3,000 miles.
I to have an issue with my car burning oil as well (96GT). I have 132,000 miles on mine. My buddies 98 cobra as well as my buddys 96GT burns oil.
I replaced my valve guides and it did not change a thing. I read somewhere that Ford used bronze valve guides on the 4.6 that are prone to wear out. That is what I believe my issue is. I did a leakdown test on mine to rule out the rings though.
Like others have stated, unless it really pisses you off leave it alone. If you are not burning more than 1 quart every 3,000 miles, I would not be concerned. I actually think mine burns about 1 quart every 1500 miles (just topped mine off 2 days ago).
I do plan on picking up a set of PI heads this fall and having a machine shop check the guides out before I install them.
Has your oil light ever come on between oil changes?
I to have an issue with my car burning oil as well (96GT). I have 132,000 miles on mine. My buddies 98 cobra as well as my buddys 96GT burns oil.
I replaced my valve guides and it did not change a thing. I read somewhere that Ford used bronze valve guides on the 4.6 that are prone to wear out. That is what I believe my issue is. I did a leakdown test on mine to rule out the rings though.
Like others have stated, unless it really pisses you off leave it alone. If you are not burning more than 1 quart every 3,000 miles, I would not be concerned. I actually think mine burns about 1 quart every 1500 miles (just topped mine off 2 days ago).
I do plan on picking up a set of PI heads this fall and having a machine shop check the guides out before I install them.
Has your oil light ever come on between oil changes?