Rep Power: 0

Ok, so... I replaced the camshaft seals about 20k ago and that fixed a major oil loss problem that I was having. Recently, it started losing oil again at about a quart every 400 to 1000 miles maybe. It's a lot for this car. I did notice some oil on top of the motor by the valve cover gasket. When I checked the bolts on the valve cover, I noticed that I overtightened two of the 8 or 10 and they've broke off into the head, so I'll have to replace those at some point. I feel like its losing oil from somewhere else, though. Every time I'm under the car, the subframe seems to have an excess of oil and dirt and grease stacked on the frame.

What could it be? Where should I check? Usually, the bottom of the oil pan and drain plug are dry. Thanks.

 
Rep Power: 222

What's the mileage? Could be burning it

 
Rep Power: 0

416k.

I dont know if its burning it though. One quart a month is sort of a lot.

 
Rep Power: 222

416k?
Guaranteed it's burning oil.
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Rep Power: 224

1 quart every 500-1,000 miles is very possible with bad rings.

 
Rep Power: 0

Bad rings? How can I know for certain that this is the issue?

 
Rep Power: 222

Because it's extremely common for the oil control rings to get gummed up and allow oil to get into the combustion chamber on these engines once they get up in mileage

 
Rep Power: 224

If you were leaking that much it would be obvious. I'm assuming the engine hasn't ever been rebuilt, if so there's no doubt in my mind it's the rings.

 
Rep Power: 0

Wouldn't there be smoke coming out the exhaust? There's no smoke: blue, white or otherwise coming out of the exhaust.

 
Rep Power: 126

It would at higher rpm. Have someone behind you and go up around 5-6k.

 
Rep Power: 222

The cat will absorb most of the smoke

 
Rep Power: 0

This isnt the problem.

 
Rep Power: 222

Well it sure as hell isn't losing that much oil through leaking or it would be incredibly obvious where it was leaking from

 
Rep Power: 126

Just do a dry and wet compression test. That'll confirm what we already know