I just bought a 1998 dodge neon R/T. The body has 142xxx miles and the engine has 44xxx miles. i just got a oil change and it is already low. i checked under the car and no leaks. there also are no leaks around the headgasket. but when i drive and take of i see smoke coming out of my muffler. i went to a mechanic and they said it isnt my headgasket because there isnt anything leakin around it. he said i may be burning oil inside my engine and may have a bad engine. it is a newer engine and i really dont think i already need new engine so if anyone has any other ideas wht it could be could you help me out i really dont have alot of money to go buy a new engine.. thanks!

 

well then it must be the rings how is the compression in the cyclinders . It should be around 180 -190 I think? and no more than a 10% diffrence between any of the cyclinders. if it is lower than maybe the rings are bad. or maybe just need to have the head valve seals replaced.

 

thanks! is this something i can do myself or have to have done?

 

if you have the tools than you can do it yourself. otherwise you can pull the Head and take the head to a shop. you could also proably buy the compression test kit for less than the cost of having someone else do it. for the test kit I would check Craigslist.org, or e bay, also harbor freight has some, although they don't have the best tools for daily use they are cheap.