Smoke...??????
03-12-2005, 05:46 PM
#1
Smoke...??????
Hey, today I was driving back from the auto hobby shop here on base and noticed a smell kind of like burning oil inside. It wasnt very strong, but I could smell it, and it only started after I parked and was about to turn the car off. I then popped the hood, and noticed a whitish smoke coming from between the engine and firewall. Is there any place back there thats known to leak? I haven't read anything about any leaking problems back there...any help or advice is greatful. I switched from a petroleum oil to a synthetic, but it hasn't leaked hardly in 2k miles, so I don't think thats a problem.
-Darwin
-Darwin
03-12-2005, 06:12 PM
#2
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The synthetic oil is sneaking past a weak seal and is dripping a little oil on the x-over pipe and smoking. Don't try and fix this with snake oil, the only correct way to fix this is to intall a new seal.
As for where the leak is, you'll need to supply more info.
As for where the leak is, you'll need to supply more info.
03-12-2005, 06:14 PM
#3
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Sorry, this is not an answer to your problem but I also have this occurence with my 86 951. So I'm going to monitor your thread and maybe we both will get this problem fixed!
Just this last year I had one of the oil seals replaced and that stopped it but now its back...
Just this last year I had one of the oil seals replaced and that stopped it but now its back...
03-12-2005, 06:27 PM
#5
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To be honest, I don't know but I found something from another post that I printed out.
"A number of weeks ago I described an intermittent smoking coming from the engine at the rear on
the passengers side. Somebody pointed me to a cover plate on the back of the valve cover as a likely culprit. I finally went to check it yesterday and found (1) Two of the bolts were loose, and (2)
the bottom bolt was missing. I tightened the top 2 and replaced the bottom 3rd one. NO SMOKE NOW!!"
I have not checked this yet, but it could be a cause. Hope this helps!
"A number of weeks ago I described an intermittent smoking coming from the engine at the rear on
the passengers side. Somebody pointed me to a cover plate on the back of the valve cover as a likely culprit. I finally went to check it yesterday and found (1) Two of the bolts were loose, and (2)
the bottom bolt was missing. I tightened the top 2 and replaced the bottom 3rd one. NO SMOKE NOW!!"
I have not checked this yet, but it could be a cause. Hope this helps!
03-12-2005, 06:30 PM
#6
Rennlist Member
The synthetic doesn't help for leaks, at all...
It is possible that the leak is coming from any easy place to repair, like the cork gaslek at the rear of the cam tower. Those are frequent leakers. However, if you are smoking, I agree that the oil is probably leaking on your crossover pipe and burning off. (Ask me how I know.) Sadly, the most likely source of that leak is the oil pan gasket or the rear mail seal -- both a relatively involved repair. You'll need to clean things up and take a look to locate the source.
It is possible that the leak is coming from any easy place to repair, like the cork gaslek at the rear of the cam tower. Those are frequent leakers. However, if you are smoking, I agree that the oil is probably leaking on your crossover pipe and burning off. (Ask me how I know.) Sadly, the most likely source of that leak is the oil pan gasket or the rear mail seal -- both a relatively involved repair. You'll need to clean things up and take a look to locate the source.
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03-12-2005, 06:36 PM
#9
Nordschleife Master
[QUOTE=Tom M'Guinn]The synthetic doesn't help for leaks, at all...
QUOTE]
I don't think it makes a bad seal any worse, either. If you look at the Mobil1 site, they deny their oil causes leaks. I certainly would not avoid it for that reason.
I run synthetic and have zero leaks.
QUOTE]
I don't think it makes a bad seal any worse, either. If you look at the Mobil1 site, they deny their oil causes leaks. I certainly would not avoid it for that reason.
I run synthetic and have zero leaks.
03-12-2005, 06:49 PM
#10
Darwin - just went through this with my car and got an education. 
There are two main places oil can get down the back of the engine and onto the turbo crossover. The easiest is the rear cam seal. Just look at the back of the cam tower where the engine lifting eye is, and it's a vertical cork seal held on by 3 small bolts. Hopefully that's it, 15 minutes to change. Otherwise...
Cam tower seal. This is what happened with my car and the job is not easy. $10 part and took me the better part of 12 hours spread over a couple of weekends, not to mention the 2.5 hours lost when I dropped a washer behind the timing belt. Doh! The fuel rail, front belt covers, distributor, timing belt and finally the cam tower itself have to come off. Not fun. Check www.clarks-garage.com for the procedure, worked for me.
There are two main places oil can get down the back of the engine and onto the turbo crossover. The easiest is the rear cam seal. Just look at the back of the cam tower where the engine lifting eye is, and it's a vertical cork seal held on by 3 small bolts. Hopefully that's it, 15 minutes to change. Otherwise...Cam tower seal. This is what happened with my car and the job is not easy. $10 part and took me the better part of 12 hours spread over a couple of weekends, not to mention the 2.5 hours lost when I dropped a washer behind the timing belt. Doh! The fuel rail, front belt covers, distributor, timing belt and finally the cam tower itself have to come off. Not fun. Check www.clarks-garage.com for the procedure, worked for me.
03-12-2005, 07:40 PM
#11
Holy crap...that doesnt sound fun. I don't know where it is yet, as I havnt looked. I did not mention I have a leaky Balance shaft seal, and the oil drips onto the belly pan. I don't think thats the source, as I've never had this happen before, and it's been like that since I've had it...I know I know, I'm getting it changed soon, I just can't seem to get to a mechanic since school is all day, and he's in Pensacola...
03-12-2005, 08:27 PM
#12
Rennlist Member
[QUOTE=Peckster]
I dunno. I'm a datapoint of one. I changed to Mobil 1 and my car started leaking.
Originally Posted by Tom M'Guinn
The synthetic doesn't help for leaks, at all...
QUOTE]
I don't think it makes a bad seal any worse, either. If you look at the Mobil1 site, they deny their oil causes leaks. I certainly would not avoid it for that reason.
I run synthetic and have zero leaks.
QUOTE]
I don't think it makes a bad seal any worse, either. If you look at the Mobil1 site, they deny their oil causes leaks. I certainly would not avoid it for that reason.
I run synthetic and have zero leaks.
03-12-2005, 09:09 PM
#13
Ok, just checked the car, and I didn't notice anything leaking from the rear of the valve cover. So I don't suspect anything with it. I do need to get the balance shaft seal changed, but would that run from the belly pan and manage to get to the xover pipe!?