Toyota Repair: 93 toyota tercel, toyota tercel, valve seals

Question
my son bought a 93 toyota tercel with 173,000 miles. It's a standard 2 door. It burns blue smoke and leaks oil like crazy.  The mechanic said it may need o rings or valves.  How do I determine what needs to be done and can I do this myself?  I do most engine repair for our cars because I've had too many incidents of being taken advantage of due to being a female. Obviously I have to figure it all out from a book.  Every web site I've been to explains all about valves but not o rings or seals.  Any help you can give me will be greatly appreciated.  Thanks, Cathy  

Answer
If there is blue smoke from the exhaust all the time the piston rings are the problem, if the oil smoke is there only on startups and then goes away the valve seals are leaking. Leaking valves don't cause oil burning.
The oil leaks are caused by leaking seals or gaskets.
Find out which is the case and get back to me if you need more info.