burning oil like crazy... wtf?

[Mr.Ames]

did another test with the new gauge today. starting from the passenger side, i got 140, 140, 145 and 145 (psi) kinda low isnt it?

 

[aMaff]

That sounds really low. I thought they were supposed to be right around 200.

 

[i12drivemyMP5]

According to page 01-10B-8 in the service manual the range for standard compression on the FS is 171psi & 119psi minimum with no more than 28psi difference from cylinder to cylinder. Yours is smack in the middle of that range at 145psi.

 

[qualityrockola]

yeah i asked about the timing a while back when i was getting more crappy gas mileage and less oil burning

Hmm, I would have them check the timing...that could definately cause low compression. The oil loss is still a mystery, but anything's possible, they could be related i suppose. Pure oil smoke is usually light gray or white, blue or black smoke usually indicates unburned fuel.

 

[kevcouto]

Well it is low, but all even. So what does that mean?

 

[Mr.Ames]

im still wondering if the timing is off... but that wouldnt cause it to burn oil would it?

 

[thrasher]

im still wondering if the timing is off... but that wouldnt cause it to burn oil would it?

There should never be oil in the combustion chamber. It can get in there past the rings or head gasket. Timing doesn't affect either of these.

PCV valve stuck open will also leak quite a bit into the intake. You'll be almost dry by the time you go to get your oil changed.

 

[aMaff]

yeah, changing the PCV would be a pretty easy / cheap fix / test. I foget all the deatails, but if you have a leakdown test run, it will tell you where you're losing oil from. The fact that your compression numbers are that low is a little troubling. As a not very valid comparisson, but a comparisson nonetheless my 15 year old miata was running 180-190 w/ 150k miles on it, numbers for a 'fresh' 1.6 engine should be around 200-210...

 

[kevcouto]

you can always change the PVC. When I changed it, it did nothing. You can also have your engine cleaned out with a special agent they put in your old oil before performing an oil change. I dunno what it is called. Once they clean it, you should use the tickest oil possible (better to test in summer) for the first run.

 

[i12drivemyMP5]

According to page 01-10B-8 in the service manual the range for standard compression on the FS is 171psi & 119psi minimum with no more than 28psi difference from cylinder to cylinder. Yours is smack in the middle of that range at 145psi.

 

[aMaff]

damn, that low? Crazy. Well, I stand corrected then

 

[i12drivemyMP5]

yeah, changing the PCV would be a pretty easy / cheap fix / test. I foget all the deatails, but if you have a leakdown test run, it will tell you where you're losing oil from. The fact that your compression numbers are that low is a little troubling. As a not very valid comparisson, but a comparisson nonetheless my 15 year old miata was running 180-190 w/ 150k miles on it, numbers for a 'fresh' 1.6 engine should be around 200-210...

Are the 1.6s hi compression vs. what our manual is calling standard compression for the FS-DE? I guess what I'm getting at is the FS-ZE motor has higher compression than the FS-DE so it's compression ratings would be higher, like around 200psi vs. 170 on the FS-DE, right?

 

[Mr.Ames]

i have a 2.0L, not a 1.6

 

[i12drivemyMP5]

^^^^ I wasn't suggesting you had a 1.6. I was suggesting Amaff's 1.6 miata probably has hi compression pistons to have 200 psi compression rating. I AM suggesting your 2.0 should have what the manual for the FS-DE 2.0 says....171psi, 119psi minimum with no more than 28psi variance from cylinder to cylinder.

 

[Mr.Ames]

ooooh k gotcha. i was confused for a sec

 

[EviLMaN]

its running rich. i would stop running that car because if you run tooo rich, your gonna hear knocking in your motor.

if you can smell gas on your plugs, then thats unburned fuel sitting on the plugs.

make sure all your intake work is fine. everything. including the manifold.

or it could be wat i mentioned before. bad piston rings on a certain cylinder.

blue smoke = burning oil
White smpke = burnincoolant
black smoke = runing rich





if u have a compretion tester check compresstion and then if its low. put some oil in the cylinders and if it gets better ( higher compretion towards normal) ur rings are worn

 

[Mr.Ames]

so what kind of aftermarket pistons are available? i could always cash in my warranty and just upgrade...

 

[kevcouto]

http://www.protegegarage.com

 

[FSCatalyst]

Hmmm.. I just checked my oil today and I was way below the low reading. There is no sign of oil leaks, so it must be burning oil? Just revving it up high there seems to be no color in the exhaust. But I've read that you could be burning oil little by little so there would be virtually no blue in the exhaust gases.

Buying a Compression test gauge and DIY is that as accurate as whatever the professional mechanics use?

 

[damaster]

Hmmm.. I just checked my oil today and I was way below the low reading. There is no sign of oil leaks, so it must be burning oil? Just revving it up high there seems to be no color in the exhaust. But I've read that you could be burning oil little by little so there would be virtually no blue in the exhaust gases.

Buying a Compression test gauge and DIY is that as accurate as whatever the professional mechanics use?

I bought a compression tester but realized today that I don't know how to use it LOL.

Is there a how-to for measuring piston compression?