[Cologne]

I Just wanted to help some people with this prob. I spent hrs & hrs and went to 4 shops 2 of which were GMC dealerships for a miss fire prob Ive had for a long time.
Oh they all sold me on all kinds of bull *******. Finally I accidentally found the cause. I one day decided to try some $8 a pc spark plugs. Thinking it would help. After removing my plugs I found that my #1 cyl plug was so fouled that it could not have been sparking.

After replacing plugs, it ran great. But I learned I had to replace the cyl #1 plug about every 1k miles due to burning oil/plug fouling really bad.

What really pis s es me off is that one of the dealerships changed my spark plugs and never told me I was burning oil in one of my cylinders. That sure would of saved me allot of trouble. Also that the other shops were so stupid they couldn't find the real problem. Its OK, they all loose. I nor anyone I know will EVER visit those shops ever! Either everyone is a lying rip off or a dumb ******* i n g a s s hole!

Too many idiots in job positions they should not be in. "American made" is a bad name in other countries. I'm a shamed of our work force.
Wrenchers are so concerned about a fast buck they forget about possible return customers.

******* em all... Im gonna go have an American beer now.

 

[AstroSafarifam]

I have the same problem with my 97 safari AWD went to the dealers and the said it was a cracked plug on the #6 cylinder, got it back from them went home and it started missing again not even out of the parking lot, called a friend who owns a shop , told him the problem ( now smoking out of exhaust) he told me to check the compression. Check dry first was at 30 psi check wet and was at 130 psi, told him I was going to drive it till it dies ( it's the wifes van). Been driving it for three months like that I add oil every two weeks, van is still getting 395 miles on a tank of gas ( not as good as my 86) blows a little smoke and shakes a bit on idle. I have a choice of engines for it but I will wait for the 6 banger to go before putting it in. Which brings me to a question Can I put one of my vortec 350's in the engine bay using the same wiring harness from the 4.3 vortec if anyone knows let me know. but to let you know about my problem it ended up being a dead cylinder

 

[Cologne]

Yeah, a dead cyl is pretty common. But most shops will milk u for awhile, then break out with some exaggerated bad news.
Something to ponder...

So u burn a little oil...

Maybe leak a little oil...

But, if u just remember to keep the oil topped off with new oil, u will always have good oil in ur engine. Just change the oil filter out every once in awhile. ur engine will always have better oil than anyone else. Engine will prob last longer too. lol... Nobody thinks of that...

PS TIP; close the gap a litle more on the plug that will b used on the oil burning cyl. Also, use one of those multi prong plugs. Oh, yeah. And use the hottest plug u can get.

 

[astro355]

But, if u just remember to keep the oil topped off with new oil, u will always have good oil in ur engine. Just change the oil filter out every once in awhile. ur engine will always have better oil than anyone else. Engine will prob last longer too. lol... Nobody thinks of that...

PS TIP; close the gap a litle more on the plug that will b used on the oil burning cyl. Also, use one of those multi prong plugs. Oh, yeah. And use the hottest plug u can get.

I got to tell you, I feel your pain.

That being said...

You can't just top off the oil and go on your way. You're assuming that whatever leak that is causing you to burn oil is going to stay constant. What you are suggesting is ridiculous. Before getting the problem fixed, I would try a good engine sealer or even mystery oil before I just go and top off the engine every week. Not only will you waste money in gas and oil, that is exactly the type of engine the politicians want off of the road. There are already ENOUGH emissions laws out there, driving a vehicle in that poor of maintenance would just illustrate to people that the current laws aren't good enough.

Closing the gap on just one plug will create an imbalance in the engine, just like running different plugs.

Besides, its not that hard to change the exhaust valve stem seals.