Smoke is here - what should I do?

[zriha]

Gents, well, I think this is it. I can conclude that it is time to change valve steam seals.

I tested the car. I put it in idle, then rev it, and smoke was out; it burns oil, so, what can I expect? What kind of work is in order?

Previously I changed the oil separator.

Btw, I was last week in the UK, in London, even went to the funeral....

[bigwinn]

What!!?

You didn’t pop in!!!???

[MKZ4000]

Valve stem seals usually show as heavy smoke on first start up after the car has sat overnight.

Can you do them yourself ? What engine is it ?

[zriha]

What!!?

You didn’t pop in!!!???

Sorry mate, it was business & pleasure, we went to Oxford for one day, any way I feel like s**t coming back home, it was amazing in London, we. found a nice apartment at Bethnal Green

[zriha]

Valve stem seals usually show as heavy smoke on first start up after the car has sat overnight.

Can you do them yourself ? What engine is it ?

On cold start, there is no smoke at all, but after driving a while and then having him in idle, after a few revs, smoke goes out, and it smells like burned oil.

The engine is 2.5i (2003. model) M54B25.

[MKZ4000]

Usually oil will get past the seals overnight and cause smoke on start up . White but with a blueish tinge.

How often are you having to top up the oil ?

[zriha]

Usually oil will get past the seals overnight and cause smoke on start up . White but with a blueish tinge.

How often are you having to top up the oil ?

Well, that is what is confusing me, on the cold startup, nothing. And it is a cold startup as the car is mainly driven on weekends and during weeks, ti is under the storm cover in front of the house.

Roughly it will drink about 1 litre per 1.000 km. When we went on a road trip all the way from Croatia to Avignon, I had to top up around 900-1200 km 1 litre, I am using - CASTROL EDGE M LL04 5W-30.

Last year, on 202.000 km I changed the oil separator, and the car now has 212.000 km.

[Mr Ward]

What kind of work is in order?

It's a big job, I have just rebuilt my engine due to smoking caused by faulty stem seals. No smoke on start-up. However, when pulling up at a junction or traffic lights then idling for around 1 to 2 mins I had clouds of smoke whilst pulling off.

There are 2 ways to change the stem seals.
1) Buy a kit that lets you remove the stem seals by using a compressor to force air into the pistons which keeps the valves in place. This way results in a partial top end strip down of the VVT and valve gear. Roughly around 3 to 5 hours depending on how much mechanical experience you have.
2) The way I chose. Engine out of the car with a complete top and bottom end strip down. Doing it this way you will need a full engine gasket set. You will also need an engine timing kit. This way requires the head off which would mean taking the timing chain off. To remove the timing chain requires the sump to also be removed. While you have the engine stripped down you can put on a full timing chain kit fairly easily. Plus, while you have the head apart get it ported and polished also if required, put in new engine valves and valve seats. While the engine is apart you may choose whether to check the play on the pistons like I did. I ended up doing a full complete engine rebuild just for my peace of mind. New main bearings, piston rings. Basically, anything that could be replaced got replaced.

[zriha]

It's a big job, I have just rebuilt my engine due to smoking caused by faulty stem seals. No smoke on start-up. However, when pulling up at a junction or traffic lights then idling for around 1 to 2 mins I had clouds of smoke whilst pulling off.

Thanks mate for the explanation, and if you can share, how much did it cost for you? I think, my engine is ready for this. And, yeah, I don't have the conditions or knowledge to do something like this on my own, so I will need to find a specialist here near Zagreb.

[Mike6]

Think you will need a compression test to identify what is wrong. Might turn out to be worn rings. Have you checked the emissions valve and pipework. Could be a blockage is causing your problem

[zriha]

Think you will need a compression test to identify what is wrong. Might turn out to be worn rings. Have you checked the emissions valve and pipework. Could be a blockage is causing your problem

Well, I didn't, this is the first information about emissions valve and pipework, that I will need to check, but you are right, first stop - compression test! That will show what's going on. Thank you!

[Mike6]

Before the compression test check all the emissions system including the important valve. If there is any blockage cranckase pressure will increase and this can force oil up the bores in a partially worn engine and you will get smoke

[zriha]

Before the compression test check all the emissions system including the important valve. If there is any blockage cranckase pressure will increase and this can force oil up the bores in a partially worn engine and you will get smoke

Is it possible to find some kind of schematics so I can find it? Is it in some kind of repair manual? Thanks for your help mate!

[Mr Ward]

how much did it cost for you

Total running cost for the engine rebuild was just under £1000. The rebuild was completed Soley by me. The head port and polish cost me an additional £290. Add to that the 3 to 4 days' work involved with the strip down and rebuild, if you dropped it into a garage would cost you somewhere around 3 to 4 thousand at a guess.

[zriha]

Total running cost for the engine rebuild was just under £1000. The rebuild was completed Soley by me. The head port and polish cost me an additional £290. Add to that the 3 to 4 days' work involved with the strip down and rebuild, if you dropped it into a garage would cost you somewhere around 3 to 4 thousand at a guess.

Thanks mate! Well, I will need to prepare for the worst, but again, if we decide to live with the car for another 5-10 years, it's a good investment.