Car Nuts- I need help!!!!!

[slateman]

Ok. I own an 86 Nova (stop laughing) The guy at the shop says it starting to burn oil and it would barely fail the emisions inspection. Is there anything I can do that could help clean up the engine so I could pass? I need this car so I can get to work and make money for a new car.

One option somebody suggested is to get an oil change and then head right over to get inspected. Any others like this?

[shartley]

Yes, that might help a bit, but you may want to also put in some engine restore stuff (nope I am not a mechanic.. LOL), I have found that for quick fixes they do help a bit... but don't last like they SAY they will.

Sounds like you may need a whole seal and gasket replacement. Again.. I am no mechanic. And if that is the case... you will have to do it sometime anyway.... unless you don't want to keep driving you car.

[slateman]

I only want to keep the car for a max. of six months. What is "engine restor stuff"?

And your right, I need a valve replacement. Wann take guess how much thats gonna cost....$1200

[shartley]

You can pick it up at any Car Parts store. They come in bottles (and cans)... like oil. They supposedly help rework life back into your seals and stuff, stop leaks, etc... Like I said, it has helped cars of mine in the past for short amounts of time, but it does not last long. But again... I am not a mechanic.

[Snappy]

Another option I've heard (never tried) is to put a bottle of Everclear in the tank. Alcohol does burn cleaner, but the person who told the person who told me this works may have been sharing the Everclear with his car.

[PigSweat]

K, DON'T put alchohol in the car! It burns much hotter and thus you can easily burn out rings and gaskets that aren't designed for those temperatures.

What I do recomend (although I'm no mechanic, yet) is change the oil, add an engine restorer (Z-max, Slick 50, Duralube, Prolong, etc, I recomend Z-max, I have used it and the stuff kicks!), then go right to your emision test dealy.

Man, that makes me glad I live in Alberta, Canada. No emmissions laws!

[Ityl]

Lucas Oil is supposed to help too.

[thecavemankevin]

put sugar in your gas tank, that will do the trick :)

just kidding, if you put sugar in there you will blow your engine

You might want to use a synthetic blend oil and a engine restorer when changing your oil.

I have had great luck with Quaker State Syn Blend in my 85 s-10.

[MagMan5446]

1200? Save up and buy a new engine.

[slateman]

My mechanic said he could get a new engine for $1500 or under but there is another problem. The struts are pretty crappy, I can't go above 70mph without scrapping the bottom. Not that I do that often but that would cost more I could probably get another car with those two things. I need some quick fixes guys. But thanks for the advice, keep it coming.

[Army]

Be sure to burn at least half a tank of premium before you take it to get it tested. That and Restore should pass you.

[shartley]

Struts should not cost THAT much.... How much do you like your car? If you really like it, you can get a rebuilt engine dropped in and fix your struts FAR cheaper than buying a NEW car.

I would do the quick fix for the moment, and then drop in a rebuilt as soon as you can. Yes dropping in a rebuilt often costs about the same or LESS than having an engine overhauled.... depends on who you know and use.

If you really like your car, you will always kick yourself in the rear for letting it go. And you can trust me on that one.

[slateman]

Army: What's "Restore"?

shartley: That's the problem. My Dad bought the car new. It has over 177,000 miles on it. I grey up in that car so there is some sentimental attachment to the car. On the other hand, it is a piece of crap. It has to be warmed up... even in the summer otherwise it doesn't work well. I have no right side mirror (wasn't required). And to top it off the canvas on the cieling came off.
It's a piece of crap... but it's my piece of crap

[seekandestroy]

something to think about i only paid 5,000 for a 79 vette in extremley good condition

[tazman]

You can try synthic oil, or a heavery grade of oil, The Restore that every one is talking about might work but I don't think that it will. If the car has to be warmed up even in the morning I would suggest that the day you have to have it inspected let the car run for a while and then make sure it is up tp operating tempature. When you get to the smog test do not shut your car off leave it running as long as you can.

When does the car burn the oil, when it first starts up(there will be a small puff or cloud of bluish smoke and then it will go away), Or does it burn it all the time(same bluish colour in the exhuast)

Depending on where you are(I know here if you spend I think about 4 to 500 buck on repairs then they will let you pass for one year)as for the way the test is run where you are I don't know.