Burning oil big time

[robsparky 0]

Hi. I'm sure an answer to this has been given before, but i cant find it. My vr6 started burning oil a while ago, about the past 4 mths its been using a gallon in 1500 miles. I replaced the plugs a few mths ago and noticed that cyls 1 and 6 were really oiled up and badly burned. I checked them again recently and the new plugs have gone the same already. I did a compression test and cyls 1 and 6 are nearly half the other 4 - reading about 5 to 5.5.

There dont apear to be any other noticeable faults - ie, rattling noises, timing chain, tappets. It starts and runs well, though has lost some power over recent months.

Is this bad news or am i overlooking something silly. I'm hoping this is an easy repair and not a new engine.

I would be glad of any advice.

[xyber 1]

what oil are you using? If its fully synthetic it will be swallowed up in no time

[robsparky 0]

I've tried all sorts. Mineral 10 40, semi synth castrol - it doesnt seem to make much odds. I havent tried any expensive stuff, i didnt see much point. Its the low compression thats worrying me!

[jaysVR6 2]

Blow by mate. Rings sound as if they are fooked.I'd change them before they break up and score your bores badly.

They can be changed by just dropping the sump off if you are really strapped for cash.

[robsparky 0]

thats what i thought! glad they can be done without dropping the lump out. Do i need to take the head off too, or just take out the plugs?

[jaysVR6 2]

I don't think you do need to take it off tbh. I'm no mechanic but thats what I can remember form discussions I had with the garage when I had my capacity increased.

[robsparky 0]

Ok jay, cheers for that. I just hope its only rings and i'm not in for a re-bore, my pocket won't stand that.

[peanut 0]

Sorry to hijack, jay, anymore details on changing the rings by dropping the sump with the head on?

[budgie 0]

yo rob dude i noticed your from st albans im from hemel just wondered how you got on with your rings? im having the same problem i got 3 cylinders down on commpression, had it tested today and was told can be done via the sump. This is a costly job if a garage does the work, so thinking about maybe having a go myself.

[robsparky 0]

hi budgie, i'm from worcester dude, not st albans. I haven't done the rings yet, still pricing them up. Can get them for about 22.00 a cyclinder. I'm still not convinced it can be done via the sump. I spoke to a volks specialist, he said he'd never done it and thought it would be a tight job. I will probably have a go anyway. I need to take the sump off to do the o/s wishbone aswell. The car is running well at the moment though, still smoooth, returning 35+ mpg.

Is your vr6 burning loads of oil too? or just low compression.

[budgie 0]

Yeah sorry mate i dunno why i thought you were from st albans, anyway my car is burning a lot more oil than normal in the past 5/6 wks plus the plugs oil up quicker and is def down on power, just recently ive noticed a bad smell coming from the exhaust esp when cold on choke.

So im gonna get the car off the road try source a bently vr6 service manual and get me hands dirty also learn a thing or 2 about me engine. Still im no mechanic, have some genral knowledge about engines but my tool supply is limited, i need to remove engine from car as im gonna attempt to do the chains, tensioners and new clutch.

I just hope when i replace rings that the bores are ok and just need a hone. May even try re-building head, valve guides, seals etc hopefully this would result in a sweet runnin motor thats good for a few more years.