Nissan Repair: oil usege, vent valve, oil consumption

Question
Car uses a quart of oil every 1200 miles? its a 02 sentra SER spec V has a QR 25 DE engine. changed PCV valve checked spark plugs and they are not burning oil

Answer
Greg,

If the oil is not going out the Positive Crankcase Vent Valve then it is going past the rings.  A quart every 1200 miles indicates it is the rings and not the valve guides.  You could try a product like Restore to get the rings to seal better.  Otherwise, you are looking at taking the engine a part and re-ringing it.  The problem here is there is not too much oil getting past the rings, causing the plugs to foul.  But, there is enough that it is using oil.  With a catalytic converter the oil is incinerated going out the exhaust so it is not noticed as smoke.  I like and use Restore and it is one of a select few fix-it in a can that actually works.  Replace a quart with Restore and you should notice a drop in oil consumption.  Otherwise, you are looking at a replacement engine or a tear-down of yours to replace the rings.