I've got a 2009 4.7L TRX with about 240k on it, and she's starting to burn oil like it's her job. When I pull off after sitting at an idle for a bit (at a stop light, pulling out of parking lot) I get a decent amount of smoke. Anytime I have to make trips longer than just around town I have to top it off with oil and then again when I get back to the house. I can turn a wrench and I am pretty mechanically inclined, but I'm no expert when it comes to these kind of engine problems and haven't tackled anything like this before. I got under it and checked for spray and oil residue but I don't see an excessive amount, other than the small amount I spill topping it off. Any suggestions on what I am looking at? If I had to guess from research I'm thinking rings are burnt up or seals, but not sure what kind of a fix that is as far as doing it myself or taking it in, and the price.

 

Do a compression test. Dry first, then wet. Lots of vids on youtube on just how to go about it. See what your compression numbers are. That should give you an indication of how the rings are.

If the rings are bad, that's pretty much a complete rebuild. As you have to tear the engine completely down to replace them..... Might be cheaper to just pick up a reman engine, and swap it out.