Mitsubishi Repair: can i save this car, assisstance, burning oil

Question
hello,  i am in desperate need of assisstance, i am single mother, full time nursing student, and i need this car to last a minimum of 18 months.  the problem is the car is smoking, i am assuming burning oil, i have to add at least a quart of oil when i fill up with gas,   i have just been told that i need to replace the idle control motor.  my car is a mitsubishi exp 1992,   i would appreciate any advice you could offer, a ball park of how much the repairs would be for the idle control motor, and do you think have the rings and valves replaced in the motor would stop the smoking? and a ball park for the both repairs would be greatly appreciated. what would you recommend.  i dont have very much money to work with so i am trying to figure if it would be cheaper to make the repairs instead of buying another junker, the brakes have been replaced and the transmission has been rebuilt less than one year ago,
thank you for your time and any consideration on my behalf.
sandra

Answer
Sandra: Who told you that you need an Idle control motor? Are you sure that is the problem or maybe just the sensor might be out. I was at one time a single mother and going to college. So I know where you are with this. You need to go up on line to check what the blue book is on your car and then decide if you want to put more money into it. I am thinking the rebuilding of your engine will be anywhere from $800.00 to $2000.00. See if they open up the engine and find other things wrong with it. Those things will need to be replaced too. You can't just fix the pistons and the valves if there is more wrong. Yes, fixing the pistons well the rings on the pistons is what is letting the oil pass so the smoking.If you do go ahead and have this work done, get a written agreedment with the shop that does the work. In that they fix only what has to be fixed and only what you two have ageed to. Ask to see the old parts too, to make sure they did the work. Like I said you need to check the blue book on the car and see if you want to put still more money into this car. I know it is hard, I had a car when going to college myself that was what my children called my money pit. And I finely gave up on it. I would fix one more thing and something else would go. But then the different between you and me, is that I could fix it myself. Unless you have a boyfriend that can fix this for you or a shop that you can trust. Then I fear it will be pretty costly. Or you could drive the car like it is till it stops working, other then that idle control motor but I would ask them to check the sensor first. You need to get yourself a manual on your car too, they don't cost much at a parts store and you would understand better when someone tells you that you need something for your car. I have to says a lot of shops and places don't always treat women very good with car repairs. But only because a lot of women don't know that much about their cars. Hope this helps and good luck!