Recently the oil light came on on my LDV van. When I checked it was bone dry so I replaced the engine oil which took 5 ltrs to get it back to the max level line! The van seems to run okay since but blue smoke is occasionaly coming from the exaust when I accelerate. Have I fried the engine? What can I do prolong the life of the engine (other than check the oil more often)?

Leon, July 2006

The blue smoke is caused by oil getting past the piston rings into the combustion chamber. This is a symptom of a worn engine. Yes you have wrecked your engine and all you can do now is hope.

Terry, July 2006