Rick:
Thanks for the info. $250 for that little gadget! May be easier to just replace the valve seal / guide and intake manifold gasket. I appreciate the thought. Have not yet had a chance to pursue the issue - work committments.
Dan:
Since changing plugs have not noticed the
oil puddling around the outside of the plug. Can't explain why, since the plugs we pulled out were all tight. But reinspection of the new plug still demonstrates a problem. Not sure what to make of that part of the puzzle.
The lack of
oil smoke still puzzles me. This weekend I plan to let my son drive the car while I follow, just to make sure we aren't overlooking smoke from the view from the driver or passenger seats.
I still cannot understand how an engine can be free of leaks, use a quart every 300 miles and not put out some blue smoke.
Chuck