Gary,
Thanks for the comments. I think you are talking a level above me.
RE: "If problem was rings, there would be some "apparent" evidence of this. So far you haven't mentioned any."
Does the lack of fuel in the oil in my UOA indicate the problem is other than the rings? or not necessarily?
Well ..mainly I was referring to visible evidence. When you have blow - by ..excessive blow-by ..the PCV valve can not handle the volume of the vapor getting by the rings. A little naturally does ..but too much and the excessive vapors exit the crankcase in the only easily available outlet ...which is the fresh air inlet. In the case of a V6 it would be the hose on the opposite valve cover that used to go to the air cleaner housing (it may on yours). Anyway in the older carberated engines you would find an aircleaner full of oil since the excess vapor went "out the in hole" so to speak.
E: "Since I don't know the PCV/vent system on this engine it is hard for me to determine what or where you would see it. Typically the fresh air vent line handles the excessive blow-by. If this showed excessive oil saturation and the PCV (do you really have a pcv and not a metered orfice?) is functional - then yes - you have excessive blow-by and the rings are the reason (again assuming that the PCV is functional)."
The "PCV valve" rattles when you shake it. Does that mean it is a true PCV rather than a metered orfice? It seems fairly clean although there was some oil in it, so I put a fresh one on at the last oil change. Dealer had told me it was checked and ok. Not sure what you are referring to as the fresh air vent line? Could you explain in a little more detail?
This is a true PCV valve. Abandoned by some manufacturers since it is effectively a regulated manifold leak. To find the fresh air vent ..look for a "like" hose that doesn't have the PCV valve in it.
RE: "I'm a little sceptical of the shoot from the hip assumption that this engine is shot (as in rings)."
The did a compression test, so it wasn't just "shoot from the hip". Still, after that UOA, I have to wonder if their diagnosis is correct.
I wasn't referring to the dealer ..I was commenting on the "the engine's shot" comments here.
RE: "I would not place 100% faith in the dealership's take on this. Do you see evidence of oil residue in the throttle body? If not ...then I would have a hard time seeing this as a blow-by problem."
How would I check to see eveidence of oil residue in the throttle body. I took a flashlight and shined it all around and could see none...Is the check you are referring to inside or outside (ie.e does something have to be removed to check?
I just don't trust dealers too much on this type of stuff without a "second opinion". They have different motivations and many many pockets to fill (service manager, parts manager, parts counter person, service writer, owner, and last and least the wrench).
Remove (should be easy) the assembly that covers your throttle body. If you truly have excessive blow by it should be covering it. There's nothing to wash it down. If you see a dry throttle body ...you don't have excessive blow by.
Start at the air filter housing and work toward the engine (through the various hoses/ducts)
btw- excessive blow by would be defined as that which can not be effectively managed by the PCV system. Even excessive blow-by doesn't mean that an engine can not give good (reasonable) service. In the case of excessive blow-by some alternative blow-by management techniques need to be employed.
RE: "- atf is a great combustion chamber cleaner if you truly have a center ported manifold vacuum source (like a true PCV)."
I have read that, but I would be afraid to try it. I am giving the engine two doses (1 at a time) of Chevron Techron.
Thanks. Would appreciate any comments from you, Gary, or anyone else!