My 1985 5.8 liter Ford van gets unburned oil in the exhaust. What could be causing this? It has been sitting for more than a year.

If its been sitting a year, I wold run it a bit before I worry much about it.

If it were the rings the oil would burn. Are you sure its oil? It could be soot mixed with water and it just looks like oil. If it is oil how much oil is it? It's possible your exhaust valve seals are leaking but with catilytic converter temps in excess of 800 degrees it should burn away. I'm leaning towards the soot/water. Does the van smoke?

Piston Rings. Very expensive to replace (not the parts - its the labour that kills ya). These keep the oil and air/fuel mixture separated in the cylinder. Oil in the exhaust means that some of these rings have failed and let oil into the system. This is bad for the entire system and also means you have to keep adding oil.

I'd say get a new vehicle. It would cost more to fix this problem then your truck is worth.

There is an option that MAY work. There are additives you can get to fix leaky piston rings. I believe they are oil additives. Go to Canadian Tire (or your local equivalent) and pick up one or two kinds. Try one and give it a while. If it doesn't work, get an oil change and try the second kind.

Another thing that I just remembered is oil. Sometimes (this all depends on how bad the piston rings are) using a heavier weight oil will solve the problem partially or completely.

These are all methods I've heard of but haven't personally tried. However I have heard that they work well. Keep in mind that all these methods depend on how bad the piston rings are. If they are still in tact then the additives might work. If there are small holes or abbrasions then the heavier oil might work.

Give them a try and then it's up to you as to the solution.

Hope this helps,
Good Luck

It sounds as though the PCV valve is not working properly. It allows crank case vapor into the intake and too much will cause unburned oil to accumulate in the cylenders and then the exhaust system. If this continues it will foul your Cat converter and cause bigger problems. This will also show up as the motor using more oil but not on the ground under the vehicle as leaks.

it's your booster brake pump that's causing the grief. I know cause it happened to me. New booster pump was cheaper than I thought.