How to determine which way engine is burning oil?

[Ricky_M]

I have a company vehicle I use occasionally. Its a 2001 Astra Estate 1.6 16v ECOTEC Petrol. Its using about half a litre of oil a week.

Are there any quick ways to determine HOW it is burning oil? I'm guessing there are only a few ways it can do this, being piston rings, valve stem seals and HG failure?

I'm not going to pay for any equipment to test it, just wondering if there is a simple method of diagnosis?

[GreenV8S]

Best way is to run a leak-down test. This will tell you which cylinders are leaking and whether it leaking via the valve guides or rings.

[That Daddy]

Generally rings on this unit, some burn more oil than others but this increases with mileage anyway one of the Ecotek traits,oh and headgasket failure is another,another gem motor from Vauxhall

[Mr2Mike]

That Daddy said:

Generally rings on this unit, some burn more oil than others but this increases with mileage anyway one of the Ecotek traits,oh and headgasket failure is another,another gem motor from Vauxhall

It is a gem of a motor. A bit strangled from the factory, but serious power increases possible with bolt on part due to the excellent head design. The ones that burn oil have usualy been driven so gently the bores have glazed.

[lookout]

Pull the spark plugs. If the centre parts are black and sooty, most likely rings. If the centre parts are nice and clean and the outer ring is black and sooty, it will be valve guides.