Chrysler Repair: 1998 Sebring convertible 2.5 v6:blue smoke, valve stem seals, combustion chambers

Question
Engine runs fine on the highway, but smokes (blue) upon acceleration and deceleration. Stop and go traffic and the smoke begins to get real bad. I was told valve stem seals? What do you think?

Answer
Hi Steve,
Yes, blue smoke means oil is getting into the combustion chambers to excess, either from the valve stem seals, valve guides or the piston rings. It is a classic sign that you no doubt have seen as well. How many miles on the engine and any unusual history involved?
A compression test without and then with an added shot (1 tsp) of oil to each chamber will help to distinguish rings from valve problems. The compression pressure will not change much between the two measurements if the rings are OK, which would then focus your attention to the valves. (Also check your PCV valve and its hoses for the possibility of obstruction or detached hoses.) The front three cylinders' spark plugs can be accessed much more easily than the rear and that would probably be enough to get an answer. If those seem ok then contemplate a valve job.
I can xerox copy and mail you a few pages about testing that engine if you will give me a postal mailing address. Just use the "thank and rate" tab to find a comment section where you can enter that info. I would appreciate an evaluation of my answer, as well.
Roland