2GN.ORG

Any thoughts here are welcome as I am stumped. Changed the oil about 800 miles ago with the usual Valvoline SynPower full synthetic 5W30 oil and PureOne filter. Made sure the filter was tight and have checked it since installation. The Problem, after a right turn I smell burning oil and see no smoke, this happens regularly. The wife followed me around to observe the exhaust for smoke and see has seen none. The car has never smoked on startup and the head was rebuilt in late 2009 and installed with a MLS gasket. No evident leaks around the head/block line visually. There have been no oil puddles under the car(slid clean cardboard under the engine). However, I have been losing oil at the rate of 1/2 qt in 700 miles. The engine has a 2gn valve cover with the pcv on the driver side and I have removed the throttlebody to check for pooled oil in the IM and found little, maybe a teaspoon full. Do I need to change to a 1st gen valve cover or would it be better to install a quality catch can? Anyone else had this problem? I am aware of the VC dumping oil into the TB on hard right turns.

You can make a catch can set-up for less than $20. It's worth a shot to see if that may be where it's going. If it is building up rather quickly, I'd venture more towards perhaps worn rings. I take turns like crazy and I am not losing oil through the valve cover, at least, not anything near as much as you are thinking you may be...IMHO.

Thanks for the reply. I am confused about the oil loss and not finding very much oil in the IM. I thought there would be more oil in there if it was dumping it thru the VC. Or it burned most of it when making turns and I just missed the smoke. The engine does have 125,8XX on it but has never lost this much oil. I like the catch can idea and will probably take that route. If the engine was burning that much oil, doesn't it seem likely there would be a smoke trail behind it? Also there is no smoke staining on the rear bumper. Oh well, I will watch it and see what happens. Can anyone, through experience recommend a good catch can?

You buy an air compressor air/water separator from Home Depot, Lowe's or the like, take out the little filter and buy the tubing. Connect it in-line and you're done. Spending near $100 on an aluminum catch can for a DD is insane.

Thanks again darthroush, I will give this a shot and save some bucks. Since I posted this there has been no problem and I am keeping an eye on things. Still will try what you suggested.