Blue Smoke [Merged 7-9]

[WhiteCloud]

After driving from Charlottesville, VA to Gainesville, FL to visit my best friend for his birthday, I got back into stop and go traffic in the city and noticed I was puffing some blue smoke when taking off from a stop. I'd never noticed this before the trip, so I'm inclined to think something during the trip caused it.

Symptoms:
1) Puffs a cloud of blue smoke shortly after revving engine in neutral.
2) Puffs a cloud of blue smoke while taking off in first gear, but not always noticeable.
3) Doesn't trail smoke like it would if it were a head gasket.
4) Turbo doesn't seem to have excessive shaft play, and boosts fine.
5) I'm burning some oil, but not a tremendous amount (I burned maybe 1/4-1/3 of a quart on the 700+ mile trip back to VA from FL.

I'm wondering what you guys think the problem is, judging from these symptoms.

I've been told to check the PCV valve, but I'm not exactly sure what I'm looking for (in terms of oil, residue, etc. on or in the valve!?), or if I should just be replacing that to see if it fixes the smoke.

What would your next step be if your car were puffing this blue smoke? Is there a way to tell if it is valve seals?

Thanks for the help,

Joe

 

[power=dsm]

replace the pcv valve first, but the problems seems to be valve seals. I would do a compression test and if the numbers are good then it's your seals, but if the numbers are bad then it might be ur rings.

 

[WhiteCloud]

Yeah, a compression test is next on my list. I suspect seals too, although the car only has 84k miles...don't factory seals typically last longer than that?

 

[power=dsm]

it all depends on how the car was maintained by the owners.

 

[WhiteCloud]

Actually, the guy who owned it before me had it serviced at the dealership. That doesn't mean a whole lot, but I would've thought he kept better up to date caring for it.

Is there a surefire test that would tell me whether it is valve seals or not?

Also, what are the negative consequences of driving the car in its present state, as long as I monitor the oil level and don't let it get low?

 

[Twizzle]

if your turbo isnt leaking oil from compressor inlet and exhaust outlet, and your compression is fine, your in the same boat as me. I have yet to do a leakdown test (which would pinpoint your problem) because i dont own an air compressor, so im going to go ahead and change the seals eventually. Ive been driving with these suspected worn seals for about a month now, there is nothing major to worry about, as long as, like you said, you monitor your oil level on a regular basis. to further determine your problem, when you go 100% throttle and go above 5k rpm, do you see a faint cloud of smoke trailing your car? if so, its probably the seals because they tend to let more oil out under higher rpm. its most likely your valve guide seals, and nothing major to worry about. You can lower the oil burning a little by putting a little bit of Lucas oil stabilizer in when you add oil. This has seemed to keep the burning to a minimum, however it still smokes as there is no way to completely fix this unless you replace the seals. if you do have the benefit of owning an air compressor, follow the www.vfaq.com guide to leakdown testing. also, it is possible, when replacing your seals if that is your problem, without removing the head. They sell a special tool that costs around 200$. If i were you i would find someone with this tool and pay them to rent it to you as youll save money obviously. good luck.

 

[Civic Killer]

would the dealer have this tool and do you know where to find it?

 

[WhiteCloud]

its most likely your valve guide seals, and nothing major to worry about. You can lower the oil burning a little by putting a little bit of Lucas oil stabilizer in when you add oil. This has seemed to keep the burning to a minimum, however it still smokes as there is no way to completely fix this unless you replace the seals.

Okay, I will give the Lucas oil stabilizer a try. I still have to find time to go pick up a compression tester and get some numbers--probably won't happen until next weekend, because I have 3 tests this week. Geez, I hope it's something simple like the PCV valve, and I don't have to find some rare $200 tool or pull the head.

Thanks for the tips, guys. I'll post again when I have compression numbers.

 

[BOOstGhost]

wuts this special tool. i didnt use when when i swapped my head?

 

[ivanr4g63]

I've replaced everything in my cylinder head but the valve guides about 20k miles ago, the car smokes from a stop, and when I really get on it hard, I replace the PCV at least twice a year, and my compression is 160 - 160- 150 - 160, not to bad I guess for a 163k motor, but I still dont see why it smokes like this, in my case it could be the valve guides, I learned to live with this until I rebuild my motor, but if someone has more ideas on how to stop this smokin' dsm syndrome... well... let us know...

 

[WhiteCloud]

wuts this special tool. i didnt use when when i swapped my head?

Yea, exactly--it allows you to remove the valve springs without pulling the head, as far as I understand it. I'm not too keen on pulling the head to fix this problem, but if that's what it comes down to, so be it

But my car is going to be burning oil for another month and a half, and another trip from VA to FL, because I don't have the tools or space here at school to even begin to deal with it.

 

[Civic Killer]

im the same way. it sucks ohwell its them choaking on it not me.

 

[99gst_racer]

I'm the newest member of the "blue smoke" club. I honestly think it's my PCV valve because I'm blowing a little oil out of my oil cap too. I'm replacing it tonight and also doing a compression check tonight (as long as Autozone has a tester in stock for me to buy). I'll post results tomorrow. Wish me luck.....

 

[Twizzle]

fyi, im running 2 breather valves (stock and a gutted pcv for better crankcase pressure release) although im not sure of the negatives, i replaced my seals, bought a brand new greddy oil catch can, and hasnt smoked yet, even without a cat or muffler.
oh and the tool is called a Miller Tool Valvespring Compressor.

 

[91gst]

Sorry to bring an old post back, im having the same problem blowing smoke out the exhaust and i just changed the valve seals and replaced the head gasket. My car blows smoke out at idle only, but i checked the turbo and that seems fine. The smoke looks grey at sometimes, and also blue at other, but it smells like oil. I havent done a compression test to see if its the rings. My car only has 67xxx miles on it, cause it sat for a while, so the motor doesnt have much wear and tear. Do you guys think it could be the piston rings? Does anyone have any other ideas on what it could be? Thanks.

 

[99gst_racer]

Test your compression and we'll go from there......

 

[akdsm]

Car runs good compression is 160 on all cylinders. No boost leaks. On the road it runs clear exhaust no smoke on acceleration or decc. But stop at a stop light and in 15-30 seconds it starts smoking blue and will continue as long as it is at idle. Reving doesn't seem to clear it either. Pulled plugs and they had a small amount of carbon on the lip. Cleaned them and put in again and idled for about 30 minutes smoking the whole time. Pulled them again and they were clean and dry. I have PCV going to a catch can and filter on valve cover vent back to intake. I am going to put a blockoff on the EGR tonight and see if that helps. Any ideas or help??????

 

[oldman]

Could be valve seals.

 

[Game Over]

Could be valve seals.

More then likely... How many miles are on it?

 

[ssk8terboy411]

hey, im having the same exact problems and people say its the seals inside for the bearing of the turbo and its leaking into the exaust....i need to know how i can fix this also

 

[kikkinbac]

i am having same problem is it the seals in the turbo? That would be the only thing that comes to mind other then something with engine but engine is in good condition. is it worth a rebuild? or can i just replace seals?

 

[damax03]

i am having same problem is it the seals in the turbo? That would be the only thing that comes to mind other then something with engine but engine is in good condition. is it worth a rebuild? or can i just replace seals?

I'm curious to the answer to this also....

 

[Spoolin4Ever]

Dude how many miles? Answer people so they can help you.

Or just use lucas oil treatment if it really bothers you (once about every 1500 miles).

Obviously a rebuild is better or at least fixing the actual problem would be a more long term fix.

Either: rings, valve seals, turbo.

 

[WhiteCloud]

If the blue smoke is coming only at idle, and if the car puffs a cloud of blue smoke on takeoff from a stop, then it is likely valve stem seals. These are exactly the symptoms my car exhibited when the valve stem seals went. Look into the Miller Valve Spring Compressor tool if you want to do the job with the head on the car. Otherwise, plan on buying a specialty valve spring compressor to do the job w/ the head pulled.

 

[racinfeen]

My car does the same thing. Otherwise runs good and stong, I was told it is the seals on the turbo and the turbo is burning oil and blowing through exhaust. I think this is the problem because on my last turbo car it was blowing blue smoke really bad and everyone told me it was the valve seals... however someone toldme the turbo.. I picked up a good used turbo...swapped it out... and the problem was fixed completely. So I am searching for a bigger turbo now anyway so I am just gonna swap it out...... I hope it fixes the problem.... good luck to ya!