Originally Posted by Shmoo
You can pinpoint whether it is your valve seals or rings just by when the engine burns oil. Mine used to burn it under WOT and boost. That was caused by bad rings. The valve seals would be bad if you burn oil under vacuum like when you let off the throttle. Find that out and you will know what you need to do.
I didn't waste my money on a leakdown test because I knew that the rings were shot. I replaced them and haven't seen a speck of oil on my back bumper or encountered being 2-3 quarts low.
I appreciate all the posts of help and info.
I'm very, very basic in my knowledge car repair and diagnoses. I know the basics like I see my car smoking sometimes and friends who follow me sometimes while I drive have said that my car will smoke some then stop. The smoke is bluish black and I have to add oil often so I check it often and add when needed. I'm not sure what you mean by, I can tell by "how" it smokes. I don't know what WOT, boost, vacuum and throttle are honestly. I know it smokes sometimes when I'm accelerating or sometimes when I shift a huge puff of smoke will blow. What should I have a mechanic do? a compression test or what to know for sure what needs replaced? Generally after doing valve guides/valves or rings does the engine still do ok for a long time or is there a way of knowing if the whole engine isn't gonna last much longer even if these are done before doing them?
Thanks again guys!