[TR] TR6 burning oil

[Randall]

> > My friend's TR6 is consuming oil.  In addition, the #5 spark plug fouls
> > regularly and needs to be cleaned or replaced to run smoothly again.  I am
> > guessing these two issues might be related...  The oil fouling the plug...
> > If that is the case, what is the most likely route for the oil problem?
> > From the cylinder head?  Or from the rings?

Unfortunately, the most likely explanation IMO is damage to the cylinder wall or piston.  Might be just a broken ring, or badly worn valve guide, though.

Rather than mess with a compression test (which can sometimes be misleading), I would go ahead and pull the head to check the valve.  Your friend knows he has a problem, and he will need to pull the head anyway, even if the problem is rings/piston/cylinder wall.  And it's worth checking the valves when the head is off even if they aren't the primary problem.

Randall