Why not save your self some teardown and do a cylinder leakdown test
instead - If your loosing compression thru worn rings, you'll hear
compressed air thru the oil filler pipe. If it's a worn valve guide or the
more likely valve guide seal, you'll hear the compressed air in the intake.
If your local garage can't perform this simple test then contact me off list
and I'll lend you my leak down gauge.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert Cardo" <rrecardo@WEBTV.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, September 06, 2005 8:02 PM
Subject: Re: Standard Repair Times - Rings / Heads

> <<The reason I'm looking at new rings is because I get smoke at start up
> after it has been sitting for a while and have noticed some oil
> consumption without a leak.>>
>
> Ya Know what Mike?
>
> I'd check the valve guides out for slop before I torn the cylinder's
> off.
>
> This sounds like a classic case of valve guide wear rather than rings.
>
> If it's only huffing durring start up anyway.