Need advice on preventative maintenance

[acravens]

I own a 1988 GMC S-15 pickup with the 2.8 L V6.

 

It's got 150,000 miles on it. I need this truck to last another 10K or 20K miles.

 

What maintenance do I need to perform that goes beyond the normal fluid changes to get these extra miles?

 

Right now I've got four problems with the vehicle:

 

1) smokes a little on startup after sitting all night

 

2) pings a lot more than it used to

 

3) requires about 2.5 quarts of oil between oil changes (every 3,000 miles)

 

4) minor oil leak near rear seal

 

Just had the original clutch replaced. Passes all emissions tests with flying colors.

 

I was thinking about having an upper engine rebuild to fix the "smoking on startup" problem. Was wondering if some of the pinging could be from a worn timing chain.

 

Thanks for any advice you can provide.

[snoman]

Oil comsumption is not bad for that age and pinging it cause by increase compression in cylinders from deposit build up and a little oil mist as well. You could try plus gas to ease the pinging and I have seen mixed results for compistion chamber cleaners. I would also change axle and tranny fluids if you have not already done so.

[SteveCZ]

He is referring to either the GM Top Engine Cleaner, or Sea Foam, however, with the high mileage on your truck, I think it would do more harm than good.... do a search on "Sea Foam" and you can get the idea what I'm talking about

[acravens]

Why would cleaning carbon deposits from the engine do more harm than good?

[snoman]

Because the added stress it will put on engine doing it and it could also clean rings to the point that oil consumption could increase. When engine is that old with that many miles and still running well it is best not to try anything drastic with it.