New 331 Smokes a Little

[wido78]

Well, I just got my new 331 in the car and was able to start it up today. I was able to start it up without a whole lot of problems after setting the timing and then started the "break-in period" of 20 minutes. Shortly after starting the motor (1-2 mins.), there is smoke that starts to appear. It is not a heavy smoke nor does it have a smell. It is very lite and is whiteish in color... It is only coming from the driver's side and seems to be coming from around the collector area of the header.

Any ideas or things to check?

 

[hllon4whls]

You got some dirt and or oil on the header. It is burning off. Happens all the time. Everything I ever took apart smoked when I put it back together.

 

[wido78]

The amount of smoke seems to increase as time goes on, should I just let the car run and watch the gauges for heat, etc? How long do you think the smoke may last; 5, 10, 15, 20 mins???

 

[cardudeusa]

Yeah, sounds like you got oil in your header. If everything else seems to be good (oil pressure, water temp and all that good stuff) take it for a 5 min drive and see if it quits smoking when you get back.

 

[robertdale]

I had the same prob. just let it work out and it'll clear up after a half and hour.

 

[wido78]

Well, I have let it run in my garage for a while and have noticed that there seems to be a correlation to the RPMs and the amount of smoke. As the RPMs are increased, so does the amount of smoke... Which in my mind seems to point to something different than something on the header?!?!

I have also been able to definately rule out any smoke on the passanger side header? Is it possible that an exhaust leak may omit this type of smoke? Would there be much smell if there is an exhaust leak?

 

[red ink]

I'll support what the other guys said too...My headers smoked for mabey 3 or 4 days after i installed them. Just alittle bit of grease.

 

[hllon4whls]

Let me make sure I understand you. It is not comming out of the exhaust, but just by the header? If so, I am confused as to why RPM would have to anything to do with it. Unless of course it is wash from your fan creating more smoke by moving into visible range.

 

[wido78]

It is just by the collector on the driver's side header. The fan is an electric fan, so the RPMs shouldn't have an effect on that (I don't think)...I have some additional information that I can add, in that I seem to be running really lean. I know that the best way to check this is via a Wide Band O2, but I don't have that readily available, so I am using an Auto Meter Air/Fuel meter...

I was talking to someone else and they thought that if I am indeed running as lean as I think, then the header may be getting hot and thus causing steam to rise off of the metal by the collector? Does that seem reasonable?

 

[red ink]

If its at the collector then mabey your blowing oil and gas out the heads down through the header and it leaks by the collector . That would make it smoke

 

[wido78]

If I was blowing gas, wouldn't the Air/Fuel read Rich in that case?

If it was burning oil, wouldn't that be a greyish/blue heavy smoke with a distinct smell?

 

[dastang2]

did you build this, did you stagger the piston rings by making sure the gap are opposite of each other. maybe the head gasket did not seal right on that side. are you losing water, check your oil.

 

[hllon4whls]

The RPM thing threw me for a loop. I am at a loss for any more suggestions.

 

[wisconsinboy]

goin with dastang2 on this one. not staggering the comp rings right isnt gonna really make it smoke but if you fudged up the oil rings you could have a prob. usually the lower oil ring has to be in a certain position thats held by a pin (or at least thats what ive always seen on my dads motors and mine) otherwise you could score up the bore or it wont collect oil properly. another thing id tell you to do is run the motor till its warm (probly already did that from what im reading) and change the oil. it gets all the stuff that fell down there when your buildin out for the most part.

 

[wido78]

I did not build the engine, however the builder came fairly highly recommended so I would hope that he built it correctly...

As for running it until it is warm I have not really ran it up very much as I am nervous about the smoke. As long as the temprature stays ok, should I go ahead and run the RPMs up to 2000 and let it sit for a while regardless of the smoke?

 

[Michael Yount]

Every new engine I've ever started smoked under the hood quite a bit when cranked up. Paints curing, oils/greases burning off of surfaces, etc. Check for proper temps and pressures; no unexpected mechanical noises; no fluid leaks; no coolant in oil or vice versa. If you're ok in those areas, take it for a drive with someone behind you. They can tell you if the exhaust is emitting too much blue smoke. If it is, have a talk with your builder asap.

 

[HISSIN50]

Michael, i was readin this and ready to spit out my two cents worth, then you said it better that i could have.
im sorta confused on what is happening exactly, but if you suspect something leaking onto the outside of the pipes, cut up a container (i have used the bottom of milk containers where space permits, or even the bottom of a tennis ball can) and place it over where you see the steam. if something is leaking onto the collector, the container will catch it. i had to do this with the PS pump (old one was leaking on the eclipse), so it would not soil the alternator underneath it, until i swapped pumps.

i would ask your builder nonetheless. if you dont, and you later ask, he will say, "why didnt you tell me immediately." cover your bases.
good luck.

 

[DemonGT]

when i first started my new motor(in sig) it smoked like a mofo...just everything breakin in...ect. ect. and if your lean why not adjust FP accordingly?

if the temp is ok and all that..and it sounds fine...id run it for the full break in period..and worry bout this or that after words..mabe even give it a drive around the block see if it "feels" ok...