winsome

Dear All,

After a hard run yesterday my engine is having white smoke from the left exhaust. I am talking a about continues and not just from moment of starting! Is it the valve guide issue or could it be something else? What can be done and around what dollar sign are we talking about?

Please help....and Thanks

Terry Adams

I had black smoke when my valve guides wore out on my previous '87. Has your oil consumption gone up, say to 1 qt per 400 miles?

winsome

Terry,

I found that the oil consumption is higher. Exactly how much high I cannot say but eg during top up when the oil level is at middle (gauge) and usually after three weeks of driving, I presume at at the distance of 300-400km?) the gauge level will drop to red zone. I don't know if that is meaning much....

Terry Adams

I did a search but could not find anything describing the source of white smoke. Can't tell from your oil gauge; you need to read the dipstick exactly for a quart's consumption. Time for someone more knowlegable to opine here.

Agro1

You might have blown a head gasket - white smoke is water coming into the combustion chamber...Have it looked at before you warp the heads and do any further damage...

winsome

Water? But I thought mine is a air cool engine? It has to be oil that I am quite certain......

graham_mitchell

Agro1 has no idea what he/she is talking about. These engines are not water-cooled! Disregard...

Winsome, what mileage do you have on the car?

winsome

Graham,

Thanks. The mileage of my car is around 66000km only.....

willisit

I just came in to ask exactly the same question.. mine's not smoking from the pipes but from the wheel arches/grille.... she's only done it once but it's worrying.

I've only done a couple of oil changes so I can't say whether mine is drinking more than she should... I'm thinking worn valve guides (appears to be getting more common)?

Eeek!

Ron

Dan,

Is it leaking from the right rear wheel arch? If so maybe one of the hoses to the oil tank is leaking a little oil and dripping on something hot enough to make smoke.

Flying Finn

Do you have cats?

After I took mine out, I've noticed little smoke when idling (not when I start) coming from right side exhaust which means left side valve guides are probably little worn. There was nothing when I had the cat.

Most likely many of us would have little smoke but with the cat, you don't see it since it gets vaporized in the cat.

My car doesn't consume oil much at all so I'm not worried but if yours start consuming, it's time to do something.

Interestingly, after hard driving (i.e. day at the track) my engine doesn't smoke at all, and I mean nothing, few weeks street driving and it starts to come back. I guess I just need to be at the track often enough!

graham_mitchell

I was going to suggest worn valve guides as a *possible* cause, but that seems to be more of a 100,000km + problem, according to the articles I have read. Sorry I can't be of more help...

willisit

Mine IS over 100,000km and the smoking isn't that obvious unless I'm stuck in traffic for a period of time. I only noticed it as I got out and walked away - I -always- look back (gotta love the shape) and noticed it (indeed out of the RIGHT arch) and grille... I need a better look but weather has so far stopped me.

I'll check what I can see - she's getting a service soon (DIY!) so I'll either find the cause or worry some more. Cheers!

Agro1

OOOPS - My bad, thought it was a 996...

Derrick B.

I shouldn't be posting while hung over, but here goes...

I may be just clouding the issue with some 3.2 motor stuff, but isn't there an oil system vent tube that goes to the airbox? I'm vaguely remembering that an overfilled oil tank can put oil into the airbox.

unfortunately, it looks to be a more serious problem, as the smoke is only on one side.

Good luck Winsome, hope its not serious.