Dear Tom and Ray:

I have a 1988 Plymouth Voyager with an oil-gulping 3.0-liter V6 engine. The old gal has 135,000 miles on her, and runs pretty well, except for all the blue smoke. I've been told by one mechanic that I need my valve guide seals replaced and my cylinders relined to stop all the oil burning and leaking. I've also seen an ad for a product called Engine Overhaul. It consists of pellets and a mysterious liquid that claims to "help restore fit of worn parts," and "renews seal of valves and rings." Is this for real? Would this stuff be an acceptable alternative? -- Sharyn

Ray: I think I've also seen this stuff sold as a hair restorer, Sharyn. In drug stores, it's sold under the name Forehead Overhaul.

Tom: It may provide some short-term decrease in oil burning, but it's not an acceptable long-term alternative. So if you're planning to keep this car more than, say, six weeks, I'd get it fixed properly. The pellets are only for when you've got nothing else to lose or a sale to an in-law is imminent. And you're not there yet.

Ray: The good news is that new valve guide seals may be enough. In my experience, most of the oil burning in these engines is caused by the valve guide seals. And replacing them is much cheaper than having the whole engine (rings and cylinders) redone, as your mechanic recommends. So I'd start with valve guide seals for a few hundred bucks and see how much better it gets. You may be surprised. It may improve enough to keep you going until the transmission dies.

Tom: And if that doesn't cut down your oil burning significantly, you can always toss in some pellets then. And let me know if you see any hair growing on the hood. Good luck, Sharyn.

Which is cheaper, buying or leasing? Should you keep a car forever or dump it after three years, before trouble starts? Find out in Tom and Ray's pamphlet "Should I Buy, Lease, or Steal My Next Car?" To order, send (check or money order) to Ruin, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. You can also order online.

© 1998 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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