Leather,

Old penny pincher here.

I had a 190D that burned oil like you describe even after new rings were installed. It turned out to be a crack in the cylinder head so that oil going to lubricate the cam was leaking into #1 cylinder and burning. Engine started and ran great but I had to stop every 100 miles and fill with oil.

This was OK until I ran out of used oil to put in it and then it got too expensive.

P E H

gawlbpd

I had a similar experience with a 300D turbo and got good results with driving it. Mine had not been driven much by the PO for the previous 10 years or so. My main diesel mechanic (who does the heavy work while I do the light stuff) found compression low on two cylinders and recommended adding a quart of Marvel Mystery Oil to the oil at each change and driving it. His theory was that this would free up the sticky rings a little quicker. He apparently was correct because 4000 miles later it has more power and idles much better.

I'm not recommending you add Marvel Mystery Oil (or any other snake oil, for that matter) to yours because I don't want to stir up a hornets nest on this excellent forum. I'm merely reinforcing what others had said about driving it to exercise the working parts to see if they will come around. The worst that could happen would be that it remained status quo.

Just my $.02.

Wes

The Atomic 4 gas flathead in my sailboat is notorious for sticky valves. Everyone in the know adds Marvel Mystery Oil to the fuel and the oil to keep it from happening, and it works. I'd even consider pulling an injector or glowplug and squirting some in the cylinders and letting it sit for a few days.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

PEH, I am SO hoping it is the valve stem seals.. It RUNS SO well.. I sure am trying to figure out how NOT to have to pull the head.... Even considering praying....

I'd hold off on the praying. I've never known the divinity to take much of an interest in wrenching. Usually more concerned about sex.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Hey Kerry -

I just noticed that you own a Ranger 33.

I used to race a Ranger 23 on SF Bay and then later at Tahoe. Always wanted a 33 but lacked the bucks. The 23 was a good sailer/racer though.

Regarding the Marvel Mystery Oil, I'm pretty much a believer in it too for all my cars and use it both as a top end lube in the fuel and some in the crankcase to keep things loose there. (I just wasn't sure how the idea would be accepted on the forum.)

Wes

As everyone said, you just can't kill these cars. They will continue to run and drive with a worn engine as long as you feed it it's oil it's consuming.

I really couldn't afford the Ranger 33 either. The previous owner donated it to a charity. They had no idea what they had and sold it to me for $6500 before they even saw the boat. The boat is on Lake Ontario and I live in Denver so I only get to sail it in the summer when I'm out of school.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13