Hello to all, my 1996 acura 3.2L Tl with over 160K miles is burning oil. I am not the driver. I have been told that at stop lights, while idle and acceration you can see a little smoke (Blue in tent) from the tail pipe. Checking the oil level you can tell it is desapearing. Also, I have been told by the service department that there are oil leaks on the engine. But you cannot see any Major stains were it sets. I have research and a lot of threeds but have not figured out the real problem.

It could be the rings, I have been told that this engine a type C32A is prone to have bad rings at high milage. Can any real mechanic out here confirm this?

I have fround out on other threads it could be the valve seals? Someone even sugested it could be a cloged up PVC valve, putting more pressure on the system and forcing oil where it should not go. Has any mechanic had this type of problem?

I really need some good advice from mechanics or owners of this vechicle that have or had this problem. My state inspection is due and I do not think the car will pass.

FYI The service has been keep up, but the (dealer) service advisor sugest that I do not repair and just keep adding oil untile it (engine) dies.

Any thoughts on burning oil?

 

check your coolant for oil. it could be head gasket

 

Oil leaks in the engine compartment common issues are the valve cover gaskets, and oil filter housing seal.

 

Doubtful because he said the smoke is blue in tent (tint). That's oil not coolant i.e. bad rings or valve seals/guides or anything that allows oil to get into the combustion chamber as speculated in his second an third paragraph.

 

Hello "white 2.5tl. Thank you for your input. I do not think it is head gasket. I agree with "HP11", because of blue tent color of smoke. But I will check the radator tonight, it is high mileage and could be more than one problem. I will post back findings.

 

Hello "adventurecrv", Yes I agree with you on common oil leaks. thank you for your response. At this time I do not know if there is a leak at the oil filter gasket. But I do know the valve cover (acura calls it a rocker arm cover) gasket needs atention.

 

Hello "HP11", I bleave what you wrote is dead on correct. Thank you for your response.

Some how, some way, oil is getting into the combustion chamber. I am hoping that a member or members with high mileage 3.2l have been down this road and would post. Thanks again for posting.

 

I would head for a shop and get yourself a compression test. That would be a great starting point...

 

In response to "white 2.5l", I did check the raditor and did not see any signs of problems. I also looked for any coolent leaks and did not discover any. Thanks for posting

 

Hello adventurecrv, I have been looking around for a good shop. A compression test might not be conclusive. But I do know that I will have to try it. Thank you for posting.