Oil Smoke:from valves or rings?

[SX APPEAL]

I have a 91 S13 KA24DE. Its got close to 208K on the clock. Lately I've noticed that when i get into the upper revs at full throttle, like 5K and up, I start getting oil smoke out the exhaust. So im wondering if its coming from bad rings or bad valve stem seals, or perhaps something else. If you need any more info to help figure this out, I'll do my best, but thats pretty much all I know. thanks

[Neejay]

Yeah, same thing here, but with an automatic.

[Mr.Sandman]

dude, i have a 240 with a 248k on it, its your piston rings. its fine, your car can still run. Just now, you'll have some back fire if you take your cat off.

[jdm_master_X]

well you said the problem is more evident at higher speeds.

try using a cylinder leak down test?

if it were the valves, you would hear air hissing from the intake or exhaust, and if it were piston rings, air would be hissing in the oil dipstick.

more than likely its the piston rings since oil is going to be pumped at greater volumes and higher pressures at higher speeds.

the only way for the valves to be at fault is that it isnt seating all the way and letting oil slip into the combustion chamber.

if you can get the cylinder leakdown tester, test each piston for leaks. let me know what happens okay?

[SX APPEAL]

I will try a leak down test, thanks for the suggestion.

Mr Sandman: I know the car will still run, I drive it every day. Im just worried about how much longer I can go, and how much power Im losing with it doing this.

My confusion is, if it was bad rings, wouldnt I be down on compression too? Cause I just tested it a month or so ago (before the smoking started) and it was ~ 175 165 170 170. This seemed pretty good to me for being a 15 year old car. Anyway, how much is involved in replacing the rings? Cylinders need to be honed and probably a few other things? Hmmm, maybe I'll drop the the E pistons in there while Im at it...

[Mr.Sandman]

I will try a leak down test, thanks for the suggestion.

Mr Sandman: I know the car will still run, I drive it every day. Im just worried about how much longer I can go, and how much power Im losing with it doing this.

My confusion is, if it was bad rings, wouldnt I be down on compression too? Cause I just tested it a month or so ago (before the smoking started) and it was ~ 175 165 170 170. This seemed pretty good to me for being a 15 year old car. Anyway, how much is involved in replacing the rings? Cylinders need to be honed and probably a few other things? Hmmm, maybe I'll drop the the E pistons in there while Im at it...

Why did you ask a question that you and only you can answer? "how much power I'm losing with doing This?" Your the one driving it, lol. How does it feel to you? Do you feel a loss in power? Your more likely to blow and break the rings before the motor truely dies. I've worked with a lot of ka motors and for the most part, the ka has durable stock internals for what it actually is.

If your still worrying, you could find a used KA motor for roughly 400 bucks. that would be cheaper then trying to or have someone perform a rebuild.

Don't sweat it, just have fun blowing it up.

[eliesito]

well you have a good point you problably are about to blow the ka but don't feel bad my 89 has close to 400k and still runing strong true my dad never missed a tune up but i'm not him i use it for what is was ment for. just have fun blowing it i know that i am and my smoke after 5k too. when it blows then just get a new one.

[jdm_master_X]

well if they were completely shot then you would hold really crappy compression. im only saying that the rings are cracked but enough to hold slight compression and let in a little bit of oil.

im enclosing some useful info for you from ALLDATA. i hope this helps you.



good luck.