Rings?
 

My car...she smokes. Not black smoke(running rich) but a bluish smoke. I know that means I'm burning oil somewhere. Where is what is sofar hard to pinpoint. I plan on doing a compression test to see if the rings are shot, but I understand there are other things that could contribute to this, but what exactly are they and how can one perform these checks. If it does turn out to be the rings(wont be surprised, the shop that did the build sucks, which i found out too late.) I would like to get some suggestions on ring types to use. I could go with the conventional gaped ring set up, but I have heard of other types like total seal. Just looking for advice and opinions, or any help available.

Re:Rings?
 

Is this car turbocharged? If so it could be oil slipping passed seals in the turbo, could be rings, valve seals, etc. Yeah definatly do a compression test and that'll give you a better place to start.

Re:Rings?
 

Yeah, it is a turbo car(D16y8/z6 hybrid). I'm buying a compression tester tomorrow and going to run the tests. If it comes up with good pressure, the turbo's more than likely to blame. Id of course make sure its not the pcv valve inside, but probaly the rings or turbo.

Re:Rings?
 

Dont be so certain its Piston rings, could be a bad turbo seal, the oil will leak right out off the exhaust side and burn off as blue smoke, its very common. If your compression check comes out good, and your valve steam seals are ok.. You may want to slap on your old exhaust manifold and take it for a quick spin to see if the smoking goes away.

Jeff

Re:Rings?
 

Well, its not the rings. Compression is solid across all cylinders as i had hoped. Seems like an overflow or caking of oil somewhere in the systems. A few hard freeway pulls has cleaned the system well.