car smoking from engine

[david2450]

i have a 420a 97 eclipse gs and its autmatic. It did have oil in the first and forth plugs, but i changed a valve cover gasket and spark plug gaskets. That stopped oil being the plugs, but now it still smokes from the engine and it is burning oil. any ideas?

 

[Patamos]

1000 Already Answered Questions - Index page

My car blows white smoke! Is there a fix?

From an October 10, 1998 post by David Gawlowski:

"[This is] ...caused by water evaporating in the exhaust stream. Occasional puffs [are] usually from condensation in the exhaust pipes (especially in humid areas) or a water balloon up your stove-pipe. Continual white smoke [is usually due to] a warped head/head gasket and coolant entering your combustion chambers. If you're really unlucky, might be from a cracked head."

Some people have reported that high boost levels may promote white smoke, for some reason. Turning the boost down some cures the problem. This might be related to worn out seals on the turbo, which can leak oil into the exhaust. A bad brake booster can potentially let brake fluid into the vacuum line, which also produces white smoke.

Turbocharger diagnostic charts can be found here from Majestic Turbo and here from Michigan Turbo.

Submit new information now!

My car blows black smoke! Is there a fix?
My car blows gray smoke! Is there a fix?

From an October 10, 1998 post by David Gawlowski:

"This is caused by uncombusted [unburned] fuel. Could be plugs, timing, clogged air filter, air/fuel mixture, wires, coil, etc. Start with the cheapest answer and work your way up."

Check out David's Turbocharger Troubleshooting diagnostic chart for a comprehensive guide to smoking and other engine problems.

Submit new information now!

My car blows blue smoke! Is there a fix?

From Todd Hayashi, there are three likely causes:

* 1) Failed oil ring(s) in the block
* 2) Failed valve seal(s) in the head
* 3) Failed turbo oil seal

Lorrin Barth pointed out that a fourth cause, especially on rebuilt heads, may be poor fit between the valves and the valve guides.

More details on blue smoke can be found in this post by David Gawlowski. Also check out David's Turbocharger Troubleshooting diagnostic chart for a comprehensive guide to smoking and other engine problems.

 

[david2450]

im not sure if it is smoking out the muffler, i think it is just smoking from the engine.

i know it aint a piston ring cause it aint smoking out the muffler. Its just smoking from the engine dont know where exactly it was to cold to look very long. But it was like oil was burning somewhere and its also burning oil its a half quart low.

 

[thatblondechik]

Valve cover gaskets on 4g63's are notorious for leaking. Replace it a hundred times...it's still gonna leak.

EDIT: Just noticed the issue was with a 420a. Could still be the VC tho. Check the seal at the oil filter and pan. If it's leaking anywhere in the bay, it'll hit the exhaust and cause the smoke.

 

[Patamos]

thats interesting ive never had a valve cover gasket leak. except when i didnt torque to bolts tight enough

 

[thatblondechik]

Every single 4g63 I've seen (barring show/track cars), that has any amount miles on the current VC gasket has leaked.

-My 97 with less than 30 miles on the current VC
-My 92 w/ about 15k
-A friends 95 (unknown mileage)
-Another 97 (unknown mileage)

Leaks happen. Especially on 11-20 year-old cars.

 

[Patamos]

what kind of gaskets are you using? also are you using gasket sealer? too much gasket sealer is bad, cause you only want a little on the valve cover

im not sure if it is smoking out the muffler, i think it is just smoking from the engine.

i know it aint a piston ring cause it aint smoking out the muffler. Its just smoking from the engine dont know where exactly it was to cold to look very long. But it was like oil was burning somewhere and its also burning oil its a half quart low.

how old is your engine? if its leaking constantly then old valve stem seals can go bad and it will always burn oil no matter what you do. replacing them is the only cure

 

[david2450]

the engine has 109k miles. It uses a quart of oil every 75 to 100 miles and starts smokin soon as the engine gets warm, and still smokes from the engine when you turn it off after driving it. i aint got to look at it too much yet.