2000 honda accord ex 2.3 ivtec sohc. 72,000 miles. burns ALOT of oil. i changed the oil and it is immediately black. I checked the pcv valve for a vacuum leak, and it checked out. there is a lot of black soot in the tailpipe. i am in the automotive industry and am leaning towards rings and valves? but the car runs SO good. i mean you can feel the vtec engage and disengage. any thoughts?

 

I believe you are right ... rings and valves
Would do the simple stuff first.
Check the valve clearances

 

i would think it would have some sort of driveability issues? i just can't really justify doing the repair on it... i do not understand why i literately put oil in it, start it up, and it is black.

 

You should replace the PCV with OEM before doing anything else.
Also, Do you have oil in the intake?

 

why? not discrediting. just curious. it seems to be functioning

 

Seems to be functioning is not a valid test. They are cheap and easy to replace and a bad one will cause problems like you have.
Until you do replace it you won't know. You could rebuild that engine and it may not burn any less oil than it does now.

 

there is no oil in the intake. but the tail pipe is black. it is not oily, but very thick soot

 

agreed. I will get an OE valve

 

How much oil in 1000 miles? Did this happen suddenly? Is there oil leaking from the engine?

 

depends on my kind of driving. if its higher rpm's on the highway it burns quicker. if it is just around town maybe 1.5 quarts. but more on the highway. I have not owned the car but a couple months. it is in perfect shape other than this. no leaks, etc.it does stump me that it is all of the time pitch black.