Smoking out one tailpipe

a_k

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Nov 12, 2004

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Saratoga NY

Jul 12, 2008

#1

• Jul 12, 2008

• #1

Even though I probably shouldn't I'm selling my engine to a friend and taking his stock engine. I drove it around right before I started pulling it out tonight and it was smoking out the left tailpipe. It puffs smoke when you start and also when you rev it. I was going to back out of the deal but he is giving me extra money to have it fixed. It is coming out of an 87gt. I did a compression test and it was 150 across the board. Does this sound like a problem with the valve guides or the rings? I'm hoping the bottom end does not need a rebuild.

Thanks

Adam

 

Dino Dino Bambino

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Jun 13, 2007

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Jul 12, 2008

#2

• Jul 12, 2008

• #2

What color is the smoke?
Consistent compression readings do at least rule out worn piston rings.

 

a_k

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Jul 12, 2008

#3

• Jul 12, 2008

• #3

oh sorry, blue it is definitely oil...

 

V

v8only

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Jul 3, 2003

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Jul 12, 2008

#4

• Jul 12, 2008

• #4

maybe rule out the compression rings, but not the oil rings.

I'd back out of the deal..he's not going to be happy.

 

88stangmangt

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Nov 25, 2003

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Jul 12, 2008

#5

• Jul 12, 2008

• #5

v8only said:

maybe rule out the compression rings, but not the oil rings.

Click to expand...

they should wear the same..

Id be looking into valve seals.

 

Fast63

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#6

• Jul 12, 2008

• #6

88stangmangt said:

they should wear the same..

Id be looking into valve seals.

Click to expand...

Not necessarily. If fuel has ever gotten into the oil or the engine has been burning excessive fuel, the oil rings will wear out MUCH faster.

From what you've described, it could be either one. I wouldn't buy an engine that smokes unless you planned a complete rebuild. In which case, you could rebuild the engine you already have.

 

NIKwoaC

中國製造

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Jul 12, 2008

#7

• Jul 12, 2008

• #7

Yea, burning oil is never an easy fix, regardless if its a piston ring or a cylinder head issue. What is wrong with your current engine?

FWIW, excessive smoke on startup usually indicates valve guides, but if it smokes after that, it could still be rings.

 

GoBabyVroommm

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Mar 22, 2003

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Jul 13, 2008

#8

• Jul 13, 2008

• #8

When I blew my head gaskets bluish/white smoke was coming out. I don't think its your valves or piston rings. But I change my head gaskets and the car runs fine.

Car doesn't need to be over heating to have a blown head gasket.

 

Dino Dino Bambino

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#9

• Jul 13, 2008

• #9

a_k said:

oh sorry, blue it is definitely oil...

Click to expand...

You said the exhaust smokes when you rev the engine up. Does the smoke appear from the tailpipe when you're still on the throttle or immediately after you lift off? The latter would definitely indicate bad valve stem oil seals in which case replacing them would be an easy fix.

 

riceslayer302

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Oct 3, 2006

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Jul 13, 2008

#10

• Jul 13, 2008

• #10

my car was doing this last year, when i tore it all down, this is what i found on my number 6 spark plug. i could tell it was ****ed before the teardown b/c i had oil all over the plug when i pulled it out. you prolly have a bad ring or the cylinder wall is bad, mine had a nice groove in it i had to go .30 over.

top of piston




head




hope this helped.

 

C

colormebad

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May 20, 2008

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Corinth Ms

Jul 13, 2008

#11

• Jul 13, 2008

• #11

seen valve guides cause smoke from 1 pipe also...

 

5

5liter87

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Jan 30, 2007

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Jul 13, 2008

#12

• Jul 13, 2008

• #12

The reason its smoking is because its asking to be turbo'd

 

a_k

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Nov 12, 2004

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Saratoga NY

Jul 13, 2008

#13

• Jul 13, 2008

• #13

Thanks a lot guys, it turns out one of his friends owns a shop so he is going to take a look at it and do the work pretty cheap. We are probably doing a full rebuild and I might port the heads and intake while he is at it. Heck maybe down the road I'll boost it. Nothing is wrong with my current engine, but I have an opportunity to sell it for a decent price, which I can use to pay off my credit cards 100% and put the irs in. As for the smoke it was coming out while on the throttle....