BC Loyale93

thanks for the advice GD and NW! I'll have a proper look at all the hoses & ports in the PCV system, that bit i can do. As for the catalytic pressure build up, I should add that due to a failed air emissions test, the seller installed a new cat, near the muffler. the original cat (near the Y join) was left in place, so there are two cats on the exhaust pipe. the welding near the new cat wasn't great (or the pipe was in bad shape) and there was a leak, so this has been sealed with muffler cement. How do i check for exhaust flow blockages or problems, or is this something better left to a shop? thanks again.

Hello. Ok, so I think I bought a lemon. I bought a 93 loyale with only 150,000KM, seemed well looked after. I've put maybe 3000kms on it, in 4 months. Tick of Death started a week after I bought it...but that's not too concerning anymore. Unless TOD is symptom of same issue causing the oil burning ... the car soon started to make a rattle/chatter noise on long, steep hills. it starts slow then gets progressively worse until a huge smoke cloud comes out the exhaust, and there is a lack of power (its like a forest fire behind the car!) Hills in first or second gear seem ok, dont notice extra clack/rattle noise. no huge smoke. dont notice any smoke on steep long downhills, or around town. used car dealer 'said' compression was good at time of purchase. they pulled and conditioned head and head gasket on right side which didnt fix problem. they are stumped and there is no warranty. I live in an area full of big hills... there is a fair amount of oil in the air filter, as in a small puddle. seems to be a reasonably high amount of pressure in crankcase at idle -lots of puffing steam/vapour. blow by issue? seems like a crankcase pressure build up issue forcing oil into intake. thats my uneducated guess. i have no tools, no experience. I just installed a new subie genuine PCV and no difference. inspected hoses, didnt see any blockages.. so basically on hills it starts to tick (separate from lifter tick noise), the tick gets worse and it blows tons of smoke... help? please any advice appreciated. thanks