Chrysler Repair: My 1990 Eclipse, valve seals, timming belt

Question
Hello Mr Finston,
I have a 1989/1990 1st gen Eclipse 1.8 ltr SHOC
Could you tell me when the Low Fuel Light comes on how much gas do I have in my tank? I bought the car second hand and I don't have a clue.
ALso
It has 180 thou + miles on it I had the timming belt and balance belt changed at 160 thousand. It's beginning to puff alittle bit of blue smoke when it idles for a period of time. When I rev it up say to around 1800 or so it quits. Is this valve seal related or is the Oil Ring Failing?
Whats the life expectancy of the 1.8 mits engine? The little car runs Excellent! other than that.
Thanks alot

Answer
Hi Waine,
Unfortunately I have no experience with that specific model. The way I would access the gas remaining in any case is to see if the owner's maual states the total capacity of the fuel tank. Then when the light comes on promptly fill the tank. The difference between the two then would tell you how much you had when the light went on.
The way to tell if the oil is coming from the rings or the valves is to do a "wet and dry" ccompression test of one or more of the cylinders. The dry test is done as is normal (warm engine up, remove all spark plugs, test each cylinder and record compression). Then add a teaspoon of oil to each spark plug hole, one at a time, and remeasure comression again. If there is no significant increase in compression then the rings are o.k. and the loss is due to valve seals/ guides. If the compression increases then the rings are the more likely cause of the burning oil.
I don't have any data to know about the life expectancy of that engine. But drive it gently and it should keep going for you.
Roland