Is it a bad idea to turbo a car if your engine is eating a little oil? Havent dug into it yet but I'm thinking it needs a small rebuild. Im guessing that if there is a small issue now, turboing will make that small issue become a lot bigger due to the added stress the engine will go through.

 

I think you just answered your own question. The added stress can cause premature failure and speed up your timeline of a rebuild.

 

Up to a quart every 3000 miles is not excessive oil consumption. More than that and you might want to start seeing where the oil is going. Keep a slow-leaking engine topped off and you'll be fine.

 

You want your engine in tip top shape if you plan on adding a lot of extra power to the car. Otherwise you're asking for major problems down the road or even a blown engine all together.

 

I have to strongly disagree with Stocker on this. A properly maintained High Mileage motor should not be eating a quart every 3000 miles. My V6 motor that I bought from a junk yard with 140,000 miles on it eats maybe 1/4-1/2 quart every 3000 miles. It only eats more when I beat on it more so think about that.



Adding something that will MASSIVELY increase combustion temps and pressures WILL exacerbate any pre-existing conditions. So say you might be burning a quart every 3k, that could quickly go to 2 or even 3 quarts every 3k.



Bottom line is BEFORE you boost it perform a compression and leakdown test to see where the problem is. Fix the problem. Then boost away!