[SSE 4 2SS]

Originally Posted by 90503

So let me get this straight...if you have improperly seated rings, you will have noticeable oil consumption from the dipstick reading, and a lot of oil in catch can, if you have one. Provided the catch can is properly plumbed... I only say this due to there having been quite a few plumbed in wrongly... but yes...and no.... you may also be burning most of the oil and pushing it out the exhaust... rather than pushing it out the PCV system...This will be obvious after a time due to the oily residue noticeable in the exhaust tips.. The catalytic converter will burn off much of this initially, but eventually it will clog them and rob power due to excessive back pressure and this allows the little bit that does get through to have time to condense and settle within the exhaust pipes.

If no catch can and oil consumption...problems in intake...and ??? If no catch can, and noticeable consumption, then it could be bypassing the rings and burning off directly, or it could be sucked in by the PCV system and you will see pooling oil in the intake by removing the throttle body

If no catch can and no noticeable oil use from dipstick...still a problem??

If you have no noticeable oil loss on the dipstick between changes, then you probably have properly seated rings... The bonus of the catch can is that even in a properly broken in motor, you will have some degree of blow by... pressure leaving the combustion chamber and reaching the crank case...This creates unwanted gases that need to be removed for engine longevity. If you do not have a catch can, you will notice this sludge within the intake manifold by removing the throttle body...

Catch Cans remove this prior to it reaching the intake plenum. Some consumption is normal, and will be seen in a perfectly good engine... excessive amounts is where the problem lies... Improperly seated rings in addition to causing oil consumption also cause substantial power loss and other problems. Excessive carbon buildup on the pistons, plugs, valves etc...loss of power due to less B.M.E.P retained within the combustion chamber...Engine running hotter due to the combustion gases reaching the crank case...etc...

Hope this helps, and If I confused myself and Traci catches it, he can correct me...