88 F150 oil in air filter - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

cleithle · 10-06-2012, 16:54

I have replaced the PCV valve and still had oil show up in air filter box. Are there any other options other than replacing rings?

**jwko** · 10-06-2012, 19:32

Probably not from what you've described. You really don't just replace the rings, more like a rebuild of at least the bottom end.

cleithle · 10-07-2012, 01:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwko

Probably not from what you've described. You really don't just replace the rings, more like a rebuild of at least the bottom end.

Yeah, but it sounds so expensive saying it that way... lol. Does it matter that there isn't any noticeable smoke, or that the motor still runs solid?

**Bajarider** · 10-07-2012, 08:11

How many miles do you have on the engine and what kind of care has it had? Valve guide seals wear quickly on some early model engines and are not too expensive to replace. If it does need rings, the entire engine probably needs to be rebuilt and it would not be cost effective to just install new rings.

Here are a couple of things to consider. What kind of condition is the rest of the truck in, especially the transmission? If the truck is a "keeper" you can install a "short block" and have the heads rebuilt by a reliable local shop, or install a complete engine (heads and block). Don't forget to include the cost of installing the rebuilt engine, along with the cost of new belts, hoses and fluids.

I would also consider buying a good used newer truck before making a decision.

cleithle · 10-07-2012, 17:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bajarider

How many miles do you have on the engine and what kind of care has it had? Valve guide seals wear quickly on some early model engines and are not too expensive to replace. If it does need rings, the entire engine probably needs to be rebuilt and it would not be cost effective to just install new rings.

Here are a couple of things to consider. What kind of condition is the rest of the truck in, especially the transmission? If the truck is a "keeper" you can install a "short block" and have the heads rebuilt by a reliable local shop, or install a complete engine (heads and block). Don't forget to include the cost of installing the rebuilt engine, along with the cost of new belts, hoses and fluids.

I would also consider buying a good used newer truck before making a decision.

The rest of truck is good... "reliable shop" I had the head gasket and valve gasket redone and they said that they milled the head. Is this new problem something that should have or could have been seen when they were in the top half of motor? Because it's only been 6 months since they did the other work.

**Bajarider** · 10-08-2012, 08:09

IF the problem is cylinder wear causing the rings not to seat, then wear might have been visible upon teardown if the mechanic checked for cylinder taper/wear. But after removing the cylinder head, it becomes a little more complicated to determine if the rings are not sealing because the mechanic cannot do a compression test with the head removed and cylinder wear is not always immediately visible. It has to be checked with a micrometer.

You said that the head gasket was replaced and the head was milled. The shop should have done a compression test to determine that you had a head gasket leaking before removing the cylinder head. Depending on how bad the head gasket leak was, a proper compression and leak down test would have distinguish between a "blown" head gasket and worn cylinders, which would have indicated to the mechanic if the blown head gasket was worth repairing vs. rebuilding the entire engine.

Please keep in mind that I am assuming (dangerous!) that cylinder wear is what's causing this problem. Have another shop do a proper compression test to be sure.