Common Engine
Oil consumption
Symptoms
You're burning through a quart of oil every 500-1,000 km. Blue smoke on startup or under load.
Cause
Worn piston rings, valve stem seals, or cylinder bore glaze. The B18/B20 engines are incredibly durable, but after 50+ years and unknown maintenance history, expect wear. Ring gaps open up, seals harden and crack.
Fix
- 1 Minor consumption (1 qt per 1,500 km): top up regularly, don't stress. If compression is still decent (check with a gauge, should be 135-150 psi, within 10% across cylinders), ride it out
- 2 Moderate to heavy: rebuild or swap. Rings, hone, new valve stem seals. Budget $1,500-3,000 for a proper rebuild if you pay someone. DIY cuts that in half
- 3 Part numbers for rebuild kits vary by engine code; verify your B18 vs B20 variant before ordering
Cost mentioned in fix
Budget $1,500-3,000 for a
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