I have a 1998 gs eclipse with 166k. The head was redone at 140k. The problem I'm having is its using oil, about 1/2 quart every 500 miles. I did a compression test and all cylinders were within limits. It doesn't smoke when I start it up or idle, but when your driving the car and slow down and come to a stop, a cloud of smoke roles foward from the rear. Is this that the oil rings on the pistons are shot? I pulled the spark plugs and all four are normal. If I rebuild the bottom end, I want to do it as cheaply as possible. Does anybody know where I can get oem rods and how much its gonna run. I don't want to have to buy eagle rods. Thanks

You should be able to reuse the rods you have.

Pull the motor, strip the block, hone your cylinders and re-ring your pistons. Might want to replace your rod bearings and crank bearings too. You can get a master rebuild kit for about $300 on ebay. That includes all your lower gaskets, bearings, piston rings, tb, water pump and oem cast pistons......


IMO, if you're going to do a ring job, might as well rebuild the whole block. When you use a hone, you're going to get fine metal shavings everywhere. At the cheapest, you can get just rings and bearings if you so prefer. Should cost under $100. Check out www.partsdinosaur.com

When you're slowing to a stop, are you engine braking?

What were the compression test numbers? Was the test done cold, or at operating temp?

What's the condition of the PCV valve?

Yes, I engine brake. The cylinders were all between 185-190, and it was done after the car was at operating temp, pcv is about 3 months old.

Then I'd be willing to bet it's valve stem seals, despite your head being rebuilt. (or because of).

Originally posted by DarkOne
Then I'd be willing to bet it's valve stem seals, despite your head being rebuilt. (or because of).

My thought as well. Except this throws me off;

Originally posted by godzilla1998
It doesn't smoke when I start it up or idle,

That's generally prime time for smoked (or incorrectly installed) valve seals. The oil has had time to leak down the valve while it sat.

As for rods, no reason to replace unless there was trauma (ie, valves hitting pistons etc.)

MB

Well,
I did the compression test again. This time I did the dry and wet test. When I did the wet test, all four cylinders where between 10-15psi higher than the dry test, so I'm assuming the rings are shot.

The head was redone due to the timing belt breaking(bent vavles), so should I get new rods to?