1 problem or multiple???
1 problem or multiple???
Author
Discussion

andy187

Original Poster:

3 posts

176 months

Thursday 8th September 2011
quotequote all
I have a 318ci (1995cc valvetronic 4 cylinder) and have had an oil leak for a while now with the occasional puff of blue smoke on or just after startup. I had the cam cover gasket and oil filler cap replaced but it didn't make any difference.

My question is is it one problem or more likely two because of the leak AND blue smoke???

The car's only done 50 000 miles and had the timing chain replaced at about 43 000 miles by previous owner with FSH.

Any ideas????

adyady1066

140 posts

208 months

Thursday 8th September 2011
quotequote all
Blue smoke is generally caused by excessive fuel or contaminated fuel, if it was white you'd have big problems as it would indicate burning oil. The leak is possibly from the oil filter seal if it is a paper element type. Too many forget to change them when they replace the filters. Check whether or not is has an EGR valve as it could be the source of overfuelling and or blue smoke on start up.

Mr2Mike

20,143 posts

279 months

Thursday 8th September 2011
quotequote all
adyady1066 said:
Blue smoke is generally caused by excessive fuel or contaminated fuel, if it was white you'd have big problems as it would indicate burning oil.
Blue smoke is indicative of burning oil. Excessive fuel gives black smoke, and white smoke can be caused by coolant entering the combustion chamber (or unburnt fuel in a diesel). You really should know this given the profession you have listed in your profile.

A puff of blue smoke after starting and engine is almost certainly caused by worn valve stem seals and possibly worn valve guides, which let oil dribble down into the inlet ports when the engine is stopped.

Nick3point2

3,920 posts

204 months

Thursday 8th September 2011
quotequote all
adyady1066 said:
The leak is possibly from the oil filter seal if it is a paper element type. Too many forget to change them when they replace the filters.
Only if its been damaged, otherwise a viton o-ring will pretty much last forever.

powerstroke

10,283 posts

184 months

Friday 9th September 2011
quotequote all
andy187 said:
I have a 318ci (1995cc valvetronic 4 cylinder) and have had an oil leak for a while now with the occasional puff of blue smoke on or just after startup. I had the cam cover gasket and oil filler cap replaced but it didn't make any difference.

My question is is it one problem or more likely two because of the leak AND blue smoke???

The car's only done 50 000 miles and had the timing chain replaced at about 43 000 miles by previous owner with FSH.

Any ideas????
i would go for valve stem oil seals as op said oil can get down them when the engine is stopped, however the leak and the smoke could be related, IE if the engine breather PCV system is blocked presure will build up in the sump and can/will cause a leak or blow a seal,

Skyedriver

22,520 posts

306 months

Friday 9th September 2011
quotequote all
Mr2Mike said:
Blue smoke is indicative of burning oil. Excessive fuel gives black smoke, and white smoke can be caused by coolant entering the combustion chamber (or unburnt fuel in a diesel). You really should know this given the profession you have listed in your profile.

A puff of blue smoke after starting and engine is almost certainly caused by worn valve stem seals and possibly worn valve guides, which let oil dribble down into the inlet ports when the engine is stopped.
+1

one eyed mick

1,189 posts

185 months

Saturday 10th September 2011
quotequote all
Skyedriver said:
Mr2Mike said:
Blue smoke is indicative of burning oil. Excessive fuel gives black smoke, and white smoke can be caused by coolant entering the combustion chamber (or unburnt fuel in a diesel). You really should know this given the profession you have listed in your profile.

A puff of blue smoke after starting and engine is almost certainly caused by worn valve stem seals and possibly worn valve guides, which let oil dribble down into the inlet ports when the engine is stopped.
+1
+1