Timmer205 0 Posted January 31, 2007 The other day i set off from my house, quite a cold morning. A friend informed me that i had some blue smoke coming from the exhaust. I plan to go for a drive with a mate following tomorrow to see if it occurs again. I have been told it could be the valve stem seals. Could it be anything else? How can i check to see if it is the valve seals? Also if this helps, the car has developed a high pitched rattle'esque sound only on idle. Cheers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Pad Posted January 31, 2007 (edited) First thing to estabish is whether it was really blue or not. If its white and its a cold day then nowt much to worry about, provided it stops after a couple of mins. If it is blue grey (oil) then it could be the stem seals or worse, the guides. This will sometimes manifest itself with a short puff on startup in the morning when the oil has seeped into the bores from the head overnight. You will also see this on the over run, when the cylinders are pulling a vacuum they will pull oil through the seals. The other thing it could be is rings but this will usually be seen when on the throttle. Basically you need to get a compression test done to confirm either way. Hope this helps, Pad Edited January 31, 2007 by Pad Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob_the_Sparky 10 Posted January 31, 2007 Stem seals are much more common than rings though. Rob P.S. post this under engines and it will get more attention, could move it if you want... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Pad Posted January 31, 2007 Stem seals are much more common than rings though. Rob P.S. post this under engines and it will get more attention, could move it if you want... True enough. The definitive way is to do the compression test, dry then wet - this will tell you if its rings or top end. Cheers, Pad Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Timmer205 0 Posted January 31, 2007 (edited) Thanks for the replies. I'm really hoping it's not serious- i am but a lowly student and thus don't have much money. Am checking it out with a mate tommorow then possibly book it in a garage as i neither have the means or the knowhow. Cheers P.s. If you could put it in the engine section that would be cool. Edited January 31, 2007 by Timmer205 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob_the_Sparky 10 Posted February 1, 2007 I doubt it is, I ran an old engine like this for ages and just lived with topping it up every so often. A bit of burnt oil aint great and is a sign of a worn engine but isn't the end of the world. If it is rings then it may fall foul of an emissions test but I think this is unlikely. A compression test is a very short job and we have done them at the South meet a few times. Worst comes to the worst then with the right tools an engine can be obtained for <£150 and swapped in a weekend (with practice). Surprising how quick it is TBH once you've done it once or twice. (who me?!) Rob Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Pad Posted February 1, 2007 Seriously mate, like Rob says dont panic. Get a compression tester either off ebay or Halfrauds and it should have instructions and cost no more the £15 and its a piece of p1$$. If you get stuck PM me and I'll take you through it. Cheers, Pad Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GLPoomobile 958 Posted February 1, 2007 My current GTi is recorded in the servicing history as blowing blue smoke since 1997!! The pug dealership even at the time even said it was the rings. 10 years on and having been through a few more owners and not fixed, I finally swapped the head (so unfortunately don't know if it was the stem seals or guides, but I suspect seals) and it's fine now. I drove it for a few months blowing smoke, but the crunch came when, right before MOT, it got really really bad and would never have passed the emissions test. It was going through a fair bit of oil too, which was a hassle. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Timmer205 0 Posted February 1, 2007 Ah thats cool. At least i can drive it around a bit. I have had one quote to do the seals, recondition the head and replace the head gasket for around £470. Is that any good? Hope to get it booked for a check soon to definately determine the source. Cheers for all the help so far. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Pad Posted February 1, 2007 Its not unreasonable but its a lot of money when you consider the bits will actually cost about £50... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Timmer205 0 Posted February 1, 2007 Tell me about it!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Timmer205 0 Posted February 2, 2007 Also, i forgot to say that it has developed a kind of high pitched rattle. Only on idle mind you. Is this linked at all? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Higgy 0 Posted February 2, 2007 If you've had a Ford CVH engine you get used to the smoke. More of a trademark than a problem Higgy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
