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Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: DodgeyDave on 15 April 2011, 20:44:29

Title: 2.6 V6 burning oil
Post by: DodgeyDave on 15 April 2011, 20:44:29
I seem to be burning oil at a rate of about 1 litre per 700 miles, any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Title: Re: 2.6 V6 burning oil
Post by: Tony H on 15 April 2011, 20:55:16
Any outward symptoms? smoke on start up or when you floor it are you sure its burning it and not an oil leak?
Title: Re: 2.6 V6 burning oil
Post by: DodgeyDave on 15 April 2011, 21:00:12
I have noticed some blue smoke on start up the other day, nothing i've noticed when i floor it though and no strong smell of burning oil until i spilt some on the block when refilling. I don't think it's a leak as i can't see any spillage on the ground where i park or any obvious leaks.
Title: Re: 2.6 V6 burning oil
Post by: Tony H on 15 April 2011, 21:04:45
Blue smoke on start up is classic valve stem oil seal failure  .
Title: Re: 2.6 V6 burning oil
Post by: Entwood on 15 April 2011, 21:06:34
mmm you show a 2.6 ....  not renowned for burning oil ... some 2.5s have a problem with stem seals if I recall correctly ...

Are you able to get a compresion test done ??

If not, if you run with the oil filler cap off, do you get a lot of blowback gases ??

When were the breathers last cleaned PROPERLY .. might be causing crank case pressure to rise ??

If all those are ok ... might be either a worn or sticking ring ... possible to try the old fashioned teaspoon of redex in each cylinder through the plug hole, leave to stand for 48 hours..   Sometimes cleans up any muck around the rings ...  but that was on older engines way back before fuel injection and detergent oils were invented !!!
Title: Re: 2.6 V6 burning oil
Post by: DodgeyDave on 15 April 2011, 21:07:13
Is that gonna be an easy fix and does anyone know if there's a guide on this site anywhere.
Title: Re: 2.6 V6 burning oil
Post by: Abiton on 15 April 2011, 21:09:38
How many miles has the engine done?

Title: Re: 2.6 V6 burning oil
Post by: Andy B on 15 April 2011, 21:14:42
Quote
mmm you show a 2.6 ....  not renowned for burning oil ... some 2.5s have a problem with stem seals if I recall correctly ... .......

It's the early 2.6s that valve stem seal problems.  :y :y  ;)
Title: Re: 2.6 V6 burning oil
Post by: DodgeyDave on 15 April 2011, 21:20:12
car is an 03 plate but it had a new engine in 2 years ago it was supplied and fitted by vauxhall and has only done 40k since, unfortunately its out of its warranty.
Title: Re: 2.6 V6 burning oil
Post by: Entwood on 15 April 2011, 21:27:13
Quote
Quote
mmm you show a 2.6 ....  not renowned for burning oil ... some 2.5s have a problem with stem seals if I recall correctly ... .......

It's the early 2.6s that valve stem seal problems.  :y :y  ;)

Ah well ... wrong again .... :(   Sorry ... :(
Title: Re: 2.6 V6 burning oil
Post by: Martin_1962 on 16 April 2011, 00:10:33
Have you checked the cam covers?
Title: Re: 2.6 V6 burning oil
Post by: shyboy on 16 April 2011, 11:27:25
My 2001 2.6 estate is suffering from dogy valve stem seals which produces a large puff of blue smoke on start-up but not when running. I suspect this is the most likely cause in your case, (subject to all other tests, of course).
Not a major problem initially but is bound to get worse, I suppose. Just watch your oil consumption like a hawk.
Title: Re: 2.6 V6 burning oil
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 16 April 2011, 13:02:13
Quote
My 2001 2.6 estate is suffering from dogy valve stem seals which produces a large puff of blue smoke on start-up but not when running. I suspect this is the most likely cause in your case, (subject to all other tests, of course).
Not a major problem initially but is bound to get worse, I suppose. Just watch your oil consumption like a hawk.

Shyboy... how are you??!

Excellent to hear from you. I Remember we discussed this problem on your car some years ago now. Is it any worse?

If we can arrange something convenient, you're welcome to leave the car with me over the summer for a week or two and I'll happily do your stem seals. No significant cost, just something to keep me out of trouble  ;D  :)

Title: Re: 2.6 V6 burning oil
Post by: shyboy on 16 April 2011, 20:38:48
Hi James,
Apart from a hip operation, subsequent pulmonary embolism and ongoing angina, I couldn't be better thanks.  ;D ;D. Seriously, I'm fine now, thanks.
I was going to say 'you can't be serious', but knowing what a superbly generous and philanthropic person you are, I know you really mean it. In order not to hijack this thread, I'll PM you tomorrow, if that's OK.
Great to hear from you.
Bill.
Title: Re: 2.6 V6 burning oil
Post by: Martin_1962 on 16 April 2011, 23:46:00
Valve stem seals is not a bad job, good time to change oil cooler and thermostat as well
Title: Re: 2.6 V6 burning oil
Post by: vauxsull on 21 May 2011, 16:21:47
What are we looking at cost wise to do the stem seals on a 2.6? I go through around 1 ltr per 1000 miles and has done so in the 50k i've done in it.. The car has 140k on it now. I have heard there's a tool available to keep valves in situ to save taking head off or did I just dream that up???
Title: Re: 2.6 V6 burning oil
Post by: Martin_1962 on 21 May 2011, 19:57:39
Here goes

2 head gaskets
16 stretch bolts
2 exhaust gaskets
2 downpipe gaskets
24 GREEN valve seals

May be lucky with cam cover gaskets.

I did oil cooler, thermostat, cam belt water pump as well all at same time
Title: Re: 2.6 V6 burning oil
Post by: vauxsull on 21 May 2011, 20:07:55
Aaaargh nooo wasnt banking on taking out a second mortgage..Maybe just live with topping up oil every 1000 miles....
Title: Re: 2.6 V6 burning oil
Post by: Elite Pete on 21 May 2011, 22:33:59
I've got one in bits at the moment doing the valve stem oil seals ;)
Title: Re: 2.6 V6 burning oil
Post by: vauxsull on 22 May 2011, 19:46:01
Hmmmm have you indeed Pete?? whats the total cost of doing that then?
Title: Re: 2.6 V6 burning oil
Post by: Martin_1962 on 22 May 2011, 21:20:11
I dropped in 3.0 cams as well.

Not an overly difficult job either just take your time
Title: Re: 2.6 V6 burning oil
Post by: DodgeyDave on 11 November 2011, 13:45:55
Been looking at this again. The oil is still burning at around the same rate but i'm not using the car as much.

There is definately oil burning on start up and when giving it the beans (smoke visible on both). Also when revving it when stationary after you take your foot off the gas there's a sort of putt putt noise when the engine is slowing. I'm told by a friend this confirms it to  be stem seals, is this the case??
Title: Re: 2.6 V6 burning oil
Post by: Ken T on 12 November 2011, 00:02:57
Ummm.... talking about changing valve seals, I read about some people doing it by presurising the cylinder and using a pusher/lever type compressor to remove the valve collets and hence get access to the valve seal. This only needs access to one side of the valve so you don't need to take off the head(s). You need to make up an adaptor between a compressor air line and the cylinder, adapting an old spark plug is a possible way.

I haven't tried this yet but if it avoids all the taking off of heads it will be a lot easier in time and bits needed.

Ken
Title: Re: 2.6 V6 burning oil
Post by: DodgeyDave on 12 November 2011, 08:08:13
I've been offered a tool to hold the valves in place while you remove the stem seals, hopefully this will make for an easier job.