ok so ive had oil burning off quickly for a while now and cant work out why. last night i was driving with my mates who said there was a lot of blue/whie smoke coming out my car will throttle applyed. this would explain the oil problem. my mates who have a bit of car smarts all reckon its the piston rings. if anyone could shed light on this plz. and if it is piston rrings ive herad very expensive so if anyone has a ruff price also.
thanks in advance
justin

Usally on magnas it's the valve steam seals that go, how many kms? Is it only doing it under load?

148000 kms im pretty sure onli under load . whats the aroundabout price i would be looking to get this fixed

I changed my valve steam seals, they are about $150 for set of 24, ACL brand p/n PA5004-12 (x2). If you know what you doing than it's straight forward job otherwise just pay to get it done. If you doing it your self consider valve spring compressor that will suite for the job (i had to make one up as I couldn't find the one to fit into small space, lucky my friend is a tool maker), also the method to hold the valves up as you changing seals (I used a nylon rope but you can also do it by pressurizing each chamber with comprassed air).

under load more than likely rings. start up smoke is usually valve stem seals. but in saying that 148K is still quite low km;s and i wouldn't of thought rings would of failled

maybe he's had the cluster swapped around on his car, to show lower k's.
normally, the rings on magnas don't go until at least 350k's

Search is your buddy here as has been discussed since AMC started

Smoke after idle or on start up = stem seals
Smoke under heavy load or WOT (not only when initially opened up) = rings, can be glazed bores

Make sure first that all your breathers are very clean, the cross over pipe is clear etc as could also be blowing oil into the TB and this may cause the smoke similar to rings.

Engine could have also been over heated by a prev owner and damaged ring spring tension

Really? Only $150?
And you did it yourself?
Are you a nmechanic? Mine may nbeed oing very soon in my KJ AWD with 150,000 on it. Just startiung to blow smoke with a litle rev afteridling for a few mins.

I heard that its a big painful job in the 24 valve cars.
Sometimes cheaper and easier to gt new heads or swap over motor.

You willing to do others?


I changed my valve steam seals, they are about $150 for set of 24, ACL brand p/n PA5004-12 (x2). If you know what you doing than it's straight forward job otherwise just pay to get it done. If you doing it your self consider valve spring compressor that will suite for the job (i had to make one up as I couldn't find the one to fit into small space, lucky my friend is a tool maker), also the method to hold the valves up as you changing seals (I used a nylon rope but you can also do it by pressurizing each chamber with comprassed air).

Just an upate.

I changed my oil from Castrol Magnatec (been using since day 1) WHICH IS 10W-40 to Penrite GAS 20w - 60. (my car is gas)
Instantly the smoke at idle has gone and there is no more burning smell and i have only driven 10k's since the oil change.

I did notice that the oil that came out(still fairly clean with only 4000k's on it) seemed very thin, much thinner than normal. Have change the oil on this car every 7500k's since new with manatec and have never noticed the oil to be this thin before.
Maybe bad batch of oil? I want burning oil before this current service

ok guys worked out its onli on start up and on idle. and the km's are right because i stole the car of my parents with a bit of cash ofcourse:). seems im not the most mech minded person here does anyone know were in s.a would be able to do these and what sort of price am i looking at fellas.

Don't use magnatec - its crap. I have my KJ Verada a R31 Skyline and an 81 Statesman Caprice. I only ever use Penrite oils - even in the lawnmower. I once tried magnatec in my skyline years ago. end result was lifter noise that wouldn't stop followed by about 3 hours of a full flush with several bottles of coles "savings" brand of oil to get rid of the crap followed by a final oil change of Penrite HPR 40. The skyline was again lifter noise free and has been ever since. No lifter noise in the Verada and the Statesman has no tappet noise in its 308. I would recommend penrite for any vehicle. I also use penrite tranny fluids for the Statesman and Verada - but the Jatco skyline box is so tough its still got its original factory fluid - after 340k..but if I had to change the fluid, it would be penrite.