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What causes smoke on decelleration?

  • Thread starter Thread starter stangman67
  • Start date Start date Sep 4, 2005

stangman67

Member
Feb 8, 2003
294
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17
connecticut
Sep 4, 2005
#1
  • Sep 4, 2005
  • #1
I did a T5 swap and a new Holley rebuilt by Jet Performance. Before the Holley I had an Edelbrock and it smoked after hard acceleration while decelerating. I thought it was just messed up jetting, but with the new carb it runs awesome! So, it wasnt an over rich problem. It certainly doesnt run like it needs a new engine. So now, when cruising along and then downshifting, so the engine revs a bit, it will push some serious bluish/white oil buring smoke. The coolant level never changes, but it does use oil. I never noticed this before with the auto. The motor is two years old with TRW forged pistons, RPM heads and all new stuff. Its hard to think it needs valve seals or rings already. Im thinking possibly PCV system. Any help would be great! Thanks.
 

1970 slantroof

Founding Member
May 14, 2001
189
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0
Far S.E. Arizona
Sep 4, 2005
#2
  • Sep 4, 2005
  • #2
USUALLY if it smokes on acceleration it's rings and on deceleration it's valve stem seals. You could pull the valve covers and give the seals a visual check without too much trouble.
Howard
 

thehueypilot

Active Member
Feb 25, 2004
1,084
0
37
Medina,Tennessee
Sep 4, 2005
#3
  • Sep 4, 2005
  • #3
1970 slantroof said:
USUALLY if it smokes on acceleration it's rings and on deceleration it's valve stem seals. You could pull the valve covers and give the seals a visual check without too much trouble.
Howard
Click to expand...

I think you got that backwards.....deceleration will cause the cylinders to pump oil which is worn rings/cylinder walls. If it smokes on intial start up (sitting overnight) and goes away it's worn valve guides or hardened valve seals. A compression check will tell you for sure which it is.
 

1970 slantroof

Founding Member
May 14, 2001
189
0
0
Far S.E. Arizona
Sep 4, 2005
#4
  • Sep 4, 2005
  • #4
No I do not have it backwards. Coasting against a closed throttle creates a very high vacuum in the intake tract which will pull oil past the intake valve stem seals if they are worn. Smoking under acceleration is caused by the high cylinder presssure pushing oil past the rings. It has been that way since my first car I worked on in 1951.
Howard
 

stangman67

Member
Feb 8, 2003
294
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connecticut
Sep 4, 2005
#5
  • Sep 4, 2005
  • #5
Hmm, that kinda stinks. I guess valve seals arent that bad, and I could do them in the car, but it doesnt smoke after idling for a while, nor after being parked all night. My volvo definatly needs valve seals, and it smokes after idling hot for a few mins and everytime i fire it up. This leads me to believe its not, esp. since the heads have 5K miles on them. But that would be better than rings.
 
L

limey66

Member
Sep 23, 2004
408
0
16
Northampton, England
Sep 5, 2005
#6
  • Sep 5, 2005
  • #6
1970 slantroof said:
No I do not have it backwards. Coasting against a closed throttle creates a very high vacuum in the intake tract which will pull oil past the intake valve stem seals if they are worn. Smoking under acceleration is caused by the high cylinder presssure pushing oil past the rings. It has been that way since my first car I worked on in 1951.
Howard
Click to expand...

Mr slantroof has it exactly correct.
 

yeloxr7

Member
Apr 18, 2005
429
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Sep 6, 2005
#7
  • Sep 6, 2005
  • #7
limey66 said:
Mr slantroof has it exactly correct.
Click to expand...

Yup. valve stem seals and/or guides. I had the same problem with the 351W.
 

ddonaca351

Active Member
Dec 1, 2002
2,055
1
48
Camas Washington
Sep 8, 2005
#8
  • Sep 8, 2005
  • #8
slantroof is right...

BUT it could also be the pcv or valve cover "vent" hose is routed to manifold vacuum instead of just to the air cleaner / atmo
This can pull oil into the motor on decel / shift, but it is *usually* just a small amount. The valve guides will be MUCH more noticeable.

DD
 

yeloxr7

Member
Apr 18, 2005
429
0
16
Sep 8, 2005
#9
  • Sep 8, 2005
  • #9
ddonaca351 said:
slantroof is right...

BUT it could also be the pcv or valve cover "vent" hose is routed to manifold vacuum instead of just to the air cleaner / atmo
This can pull oil into the motor on decel / shift, but it is *usually* just a small amount. The valve guides will be MUCH more noticeable.

DD
Click to expand...

If the PCV is routed incorrectly the engine wil run terribly. This creates a massive vacuum leak.
 

ddonaca351

Active Member
Dec 1, 2002
2,055
1
48
Camas Washington
Sep 9, 2005
#10
  • Sep 9, 2005
  • #10
You wouldnt believe how many times, over the years, Ive seen carbs jetted AFU to make up for just such a screw up.... guess it comes partly from growing up in the country, if ya know what I mean.


DD
 
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