Using a Stop Smoke addative / Piston rings gone?

[li21]

Hey all

I noticed my car was starting to blow a bit of smoke since my last oil change. I used a 10w40 synthetic and i think it might be too thin.
So i topped it off with 20w50 and it didnt seem too bad at all.

(Im running a Smallport 16v 4age)

Anyhow I got pulled over today and defected by the cops for blowing too much smoke. #$@!$#@!~@!
I think they were trying to get me for anything.. measuring my height, pulled me up on the color, exhaust ... everything.

anyways..

Questions:

A) Whats the best thing to stop this ? Can I use Nulon Stop Spoke additive or are they bad for your engine? Has anyone successfully stopped smoking with this kind of thing?
Is there anything Better than Nulon stop smoke?
Should i do an oil change before putting it in?

B) Assuming it is Piston ring wear.. how bad can that be for an engine? Does performance deteriorate with worn rings?
Should I stop red lining it ? Do I need an rebuild or can the engine live on with worn piston rings? I thought 4ages were tough.

Any advice would be good.

thanks

[malohi]

Smoke out the zorst can be from many things besides worn rings.
I would take it to a mechanic for an inspection mate.

But to answer your questions
(A) I believe it just thickens the oil, you are probably better off just running thicker oil in the first place, much cheaper. But the best thing to do would be to get your engine fixed...

and as for the rings, I wouldnt be running my car with worn rings, didnt you just get a defect for the smoke? Plus its no good for your engine, compression and fuel economy. what are second hand 4age bare motors worth?? $300

And yeah 4age is a tough motor, however it is going on 20 years old... any motor has a life span and you asking whether to continue redlining it even tho it is smokin make me think it hasnt been an easy 20 years
for its time its output per litre and its longevity were unheard of for "jap crap."

Get her fixed or swapped man thats my $0.02

[li21]

Thanks for that Molohi.
I had it check out by a mate, without going into it too much , it looks to be worn piston rings.

Thats a real downer as a rebuild/rings change would be a few grand no doubt.

Since the 4age is an old engine, its going to be tough to find one in much better condition

[hachirusto]

do an oil change and run some 20w 50 through it and see if that helps 10w40 would be way to thin if its got anything over 200k on it

[li21]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (hachirusto @ Sep 12 2008, 07:56 PM) </div>Will give that a go..
The engine was quoted at 120,000kms when i bought it which is why i ran a thinner oil in it but you can never tell i guess

[Nikkojoe]

Compression test it.

Do compression test of each cylinder (i think acceptable on a smallport would be between 160psi and 200psi?). Once you got the results, add a drop of oil into each cylinder and test again. If the reading increases a lot, its rings, if only mildly so it will be valve seals.

As for stop smoke, its basically like glue when you pour it in (don't use it unless you have a 4ac ). Just do a oil/filter change with 20W 50, should help out a bit

[li21]

Thanks for the tip NikkoJoe ! Lucky i havent put the stop smoke in yet.. Hope Autobarn take exchanges

[riceburner]

If you can get the engine out and bare(no manifolds etc) then a set of rings, bearing and head cleanup shouldnt be more then $1000-1500.

Then your right to rip it for another 200,000kms.

Might aswell get a decent headgasket aswell, to up the compression alittle.

[Dish]

Rings in mine seem to be fucked. Used some of that nulon stop smoke. Put in 100ml's every oil change. Seems to work. Unless you're hammering for ages and the oil gets reallly hot. Then it just pisses out anyway.

Also got defected for excessive exhaust emissions. Assholes.

[lowau]

What colour is the smoke?

It could be running rich or something?

If you cant see the smoke to well, drive in the night and have your mate dring behind you with his lights on, floor it and your mate will see and smell the smoke. Then see if its oil or fuel.