Smoke after heads and cam.

[earleys94gt]

I recently put some 'new' heads and a Steeda 19 in my car. It was running fine a few days, then I noticed it was smoking. At first, the smoke looked white. So I thought it was water vapor, or maybe even bad gas. I learned later it might be coolant, but the coolant level did not change and the exhaust didn't have that 'sweet' smell. Over the last few times I've driven it, it seems to only smoke when it sits for a while, wheather in the garage or at a light. I have noticed however that the low "low oil" light comes on occasionally. I assume the light means low oil level and not low oil pressure. I have concluded it is burning oil, but from where. Any ideas?

 

[SuperStang83]

Could the valves in the "new" heads be bad?

 

[juiced_94gt]

Valve seals could have took a $#!t already, if the inner spring rubs on the seal it will cause it to smoke, what kind of springs, seals heads do you have?

 

[earleys94gt]

The heads are re-worked E7's. They have new one piece forged EV-8 stainless steel, 1.94" intake and 1.60" exhaust, race series vlaves with undercut stems and competition valve seats(intake 30-45-60-75, exhaust 34-45-12 mm radius). They also included bronze valve guides, positive stem seals, new 4140 moly steel retainers, and new 1.250" valve springs rated at 110 lbs @ 1.750", and 300 lbs @ 1.250".

 

[go-stang5.0]

Sounds like stem seals to me....did YOU have the heads done professionally or do them yourself? Or did you buy the heads from someone? Bad stem seals cause oil to collect on the valves when sitting for a while....then when you start it up it smokes for a bit until all that oil burns off. I would check the spark plugs for oil deposits and go from there. That way you could narrow it down which cylinders are haveing the problem.

 

[reddy351]

Dude, call the shop that did the work on the heads. (If it was a shop and not you.) Ask them what it could be. Seems like you know quite a bit about your head work, though. All of the bases were covered, too.

Maybe it's a misaligned/damaged intake gasket. Maybe a bad (or not seated properly) PCV valve?

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[earleys94gt]

I was very busy all weekend, so I didn't get a chance to look at the car.

I will try tomorrow after work to look at the spark plugs.

I bought the heads from a company that did all the work, might call.

It's hard to tell, but the car might be smokin' while driving it. If that is
the case, the smoke isn't 'obvious'(not like a smoke screen).

 

[earleys94gt]

So I finally got time to check my spark plugs...
Here are the findings...

#1- brown/grey-tan color.
#2- brown/grey-tan color, very few 'carbon' deposits.
#3- WHITE color
#4- brown/grey-tan color, few 'carbon' deposits.
#5- brown/grey-tan color.
#6- brown/grey-tan color, minor 'gunky carbon' build-up.
#7- WHITE color
#8- brown/grey-tan color, minimal 'carbon' deposits.

The brown/grey-tan color is normal.
From what I understand, the White insulator can mean a few things...
- wrong heat range
- over advanced timing
- lean mixture
- manifold vacuum leak
- sticking vavles

Like stated before, I notice the white smoke mainly on first start-up.
Could be smoking while driving, but can't tell.
But I am definately buring oil.
Any idea's???

 

['94ChickStang]

i just went through this and didn't read all of this thread so forgive me for being ignorant! Mine ended up being misrouted vacuum hoses, it was sucking all the oil right through the intake...

 

[earleys94gt]

Mine ended up being misrouted vacuum hoses, it was sucking all the oil right through the intake...

Something to check out, thanks.

 

[Black95GTS]

Did you do a compression test? Could be bad rings. My girlfriend's cousin's boyfriend (did you get all that?) Fox does the same thing and a compression test showed significant blow by.

Start the car with the hood open. Watch the white smoke come out, then when it settles down to idle get out of the car and manually open the throttle body and observe where the smoke originates.

Adam

 

[earleys94gt]

I plan on doing a compression test as soon as I can.

The smoke, from what I can tell, only comes out of the exhaust.

 

[Steel123]

Could the valves in the "new" heads be bad?

 

[earleys94gt]

Could the valves in the "new" heads be bad?

I hope to God they aren't "bad".

I am at work now, tonight I might look for wrongly-routed vacuum lines.

Any more suggestions you guys can think of are welcome!