PRO50SC

Through the valve itself, if it was burned or the seat was bad. The seal is on the other side of the valve so there can be no compression loss through it. ( the seal)

redmustang83596

yeah if its got a bad seat on the valve, thats what I was thinking.

PRO50SC

Now for that, if it did, there would be a miss cuz it would be losing compression.

Twisted

The only time I ever saw the car smoke was when I would rev the engine hard after decellerating down the hill to my apartment. It would puff once, and then clear up. However, since I installed my pcv oil separator, I haven't been able to get it to smoke that way. Also, once I made a video tape of me burning down a desolate road. At near redline in a couple of gears, I got a small puff of black smoke that was barely noticeable. Oddly however, once, I had my wife drive my car while I followed in her car. I pulled right up next to my tailpipes, and then she mashed the gas and took my car to near redline in second, and then engine braked hard. There was no smoke whatsoever on accel or decel.

In terms of the typical symptoms of bad valve seals, if the seals were only marginally bad, might it not smoke at startup, yet still consume 1 quart per 1k?

PRO50SC

I really don't see how.

Twisted

Then this is perplexing indeed.

PRO50SC

Any reliable shops around you could inquire in?

Twisted

Well, I've checked with all three Ford dealerships in my area, and they've all told me that it's completely normal. I also checked with a local shop, the owner of which is touted as a 5.0 guru. He said that it is normal for 5.0s to use oil. Then I told him that I was using a quart every 1k, and he seemed shocked after having driven my car and commenting that it's faster than a stock 5.0 should be. He said that my oil usage is a bit excessive, and seemed baffled. I've talked to tons of random mechanics on oil consumption over the years (as every vehicle I've ever owned, new or used, has used the exact same amount of oil), and some comment that it's normal, while others act like I need to rebuild my motors immediately.

Which brings me to my final attempt at understanding what's happening. As I've mentioned, every vehicle I've owned (8 motorcycles and 5 cars) has used the same amount of oil. Two of the cars I bought brand new, and broke them in properly. One of the motorcycles I rebuilt, and know that I spec'd everything properly. Could it be my driving style? I drive my car somewhat hard, at least once every time I drive it. But more importantly than that, I always favor higher rpms over lugging the engine. For example, if I'm going up a long, high speed hill, I'll always choose 4th gear and 2500 rpms over 5th gear and 1900 rpms. Even if I'm not going up a hill, I never cruise below 2100 rpms. There may be some other things that I do without realizing it that could affect my oil usage. But does it even sound possible that I could be the problem, rather than all of my present and past vehicles?

Also, I once bought a motorcycle off of my best buddy for dirt cheap. It was an awesome bike with no problems. Before I bought it, I asked him if it burned oil, and he told me that it used under a 1/2 quart in 3k miles. Then I got a hold of it, and it started using 1 quart per 1k. I asked him again about the oil usage, and he was genuinely confused that it could be using so much oil all of a sudden. At this time, I was a bike mechanic, so I tore the top end apart, calipered the pistons, replaced the rings and valve seals, honed the cylinders, and put it back together. I broke it in properly. Guess what, it still used a quart every thousand miles. WTF!

Stanpower

What ever makes you happy,But I wouldn't do it.............YUK!![:'(]

Twisted

Do what?