Blue Smoke... oh dear think this may be expensive!

[The Flying Moose]

Well a friend noticed blue smoke from my exhaust today, only when idle. Doesnt seem to be burning any oil though or at least much. Used maybe 1/4 of dipstick in 2000 miles.

Hoping the valve guides and piston rings are not too far gone. Is there anything else it could be? Cant afford an engine rebuild or even an engine to replace this one with. Only done 130k too.

Meh car is starting to get rather expensive... gearbox and clutch few weeks ago and now engine grrrr.

[The Flying Moose]

Just bought some of this after reading through some old forum posts reccomended by other users, worth a try for £15

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120591883139&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

[nobananas]

I'd be checking the PCV system first before worrying about 'owt else. Unlikely to be valve guides (more likely stem seals if anything). On my motor I was getting the dreaded smoke of death after it was left idling for about 5-10 minutes. Compression was down on number 3, head off and the bores were shot (huge wear ridges at the top of the bores) block was scrap basically and that was only at 150k ! (although I'm thinking that it was either well abused before I got it or the mileage wasn't exactly correct !).

[The Flying Moose]

Whats the best way of checking the PCV? Can it be done without taking it appart?

Have to admit not really that familiar with the PCV.

[5seaterT5x2]

Just bought some of this after reading through some old forum posts reccomended by other users, worth a try for £15

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120591883139&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

forte is EXCELLENT gear, i used their auto gearbox stuff on my toyota 100% success no question.

[Volvostorm]

To check your PCV, remove the dipstick and see/feel if the engine is chuffing.

130k you say? mines done 133k and the bores have 11 thou wear on them, I found out today, and mine was smoking too

[The Flying Moose]

Yeah done 135k to be exact. Unusual perhaps 130k is the point of death!

Thanks for the advice on checking PCV. Will you notice smoke or will it just chuff?

[pigfight]

once the engine is warm leave the car idleing, just pull the dipstick and look to see if its smoking, if yes, then it points to the pcv/oil breather needing replacing, if it isnt, then it could just be that your turbo pipes need a good clean out.
hth.

[nobananas]

Yeah done 135k to be exact. Unusual perhaps 130k is the point of death!

Thanks for the advice on checking PCV. Will you notice smoke or will it just chuff?

Think the 'point of death' really does depend on the servicing, oil quality etc that the car received in it's first 100k. The bottom end I replaced mine with had also done 150k but the bores were perfect (although the rods were slightly poorly !) so chances are that that engine had an easier life........until Gary got hold of it of course !