More oil related problems

[DirtyDC05]

I recently started driving my 98 montero more frequently and am now noticing puffs of smoke coming from the exaust. When I start the truck cold in the morning or when warm I don't see the smoke. The only time I notice the bluish smoke is when sitting at a light for extended amount of time or when sitting in stop and go traffic. It will smoke when I hit the gas and only blows smoke for a second. The longer I'm sitting idle the bigger the cloud is on acceleration.

From this description does it sound like the valve seals are leaking? Or something worse?

Thanks

 

[libarata]

You could always inspect, or replace them to start with.

 

[Jay Ayala]

I recently started driving my 98 montero more frequently and am now noticing puffs of smoke coming from the exaust. When I start the truck cold in the morning or when warm I don't see the smoke. The only time I notice the bluish smoke is when sitting at a light for extended amount of time or when sitting in stop and go traffic. It will smoke when I hit the gas and only blows smoke for a second. The longer I'm sitting idle the bigger the cloud is on acceleration.

From this description does it sound like the valve seals are leaking? Or something worse?

Thanks

Those are typical symptoms of valve seals failing. I posted the procedure on how to replace them with either the cylinder heads on the engine or off of them. Can you find that post? Or would you like me to provide you the links?


1989 Dodge Raider 3.0L
1997 Mitsubishi Montero 3.5L

 

[DirtyDC05]

Those are typical symptoms of valve seals failing. I posted the procedure on how to replace them with either the cylinder heads on the engine or off of them. Can you find that post? Or would you like me to provide you the links?


1989 Dodge Raider 3.0L
1997 Mitsubishi Montero 3.5L

Thanks, yes I have seen your write up on the procedure.

I'm also wondering if the the oil leaking from the seals can cause the exaust manifold th look wet? Can't the oil dripping into the cylinders leak into the manifold?

I'm thinking either I have a bad head gasket or bad seals . I have no upper area leaks that would be leaking into the manifold.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Thanks, yes I have seen your write up on the procedure.

I'm also wondering if the the oil leaking from the seals can cause the exaust manifold th look wet? Can't the oil dripping into the cylinders leak into the manifold?

I'm thinking either I have a bad head gasket or bad seals . I have no upper area leaks that would be leaking into the manifold.

A leaking valve cover is more likely the culprit if you have oil on the exhaust, but if there is a large amount of oil getting past the valve seals and an exhaust leak then there could be seepage around the exhaust manifold gasket.

 

[Jay Ayala]

A leaking valve cover is more likely the culprit if you have oil on the exhaust, but if there is a large amount of oil getting past the valve seals and an exhaust leak then there could be seepage around the exhaust manifold gasket.

Yup, valve cover gaskets are it's likely. I've never seen valve guide seals leak bad enough for it to seep through exhaust manifold.


1989 Dodge Raider 3.0L
1997 Mitsubishi Montero 3.5L

 

[DirtyDC05]

Yup, valve cover gaskets are it's likely. I've never seen valve guide seals leak bad enough for it to seep through exhaust manifold.


1989 Dodge Raider 3.0L
1997 Mitsubishi Montero 3.5L

Definatly not leaking from the valve cover gasket. Or rear cam seals. It doesn't drip oil either. the oil appears to be leaking past the manifold gasket and is very light not enough to drip.

Again no smoke at start up cold or hot. But if sitting at idle for maybe 30 seconds or more it will smoke briefly under acceleration. Then no more visible smoke.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Definatly not leaking from the valve cover gasket. Or rear cam seals. It doesn't drip oil either. the oil appears to be leaking past the manifold gasket and is very light not enough to drip.

Again no smoke at start up cold or hot. But if sitting at idle for maybe 30 seconds or more it will smoke briefly under acceleration. Then no more visible smoke.

Maybe just keep an eye on oil levels and keep driving it until it no longer passes emissions, then have the heads cleaned/rebuilt.

 

[DirtyDC05]

Maybe just keep an eye on oil levels and keep driving it until it no longer passes emissions, then have the heads cleaned/rebuilt.

That's my plan but it smells so the sooner I fix it the better. Eventually I'm going to give the seals a try. I have all the other seals and gaskets to do the valve cover job. Just been to lazy to do it . So now I will plan on doing the valve seals at the same time.

 

[DirtyDC05]

Any thoughts on using a little of the Lucas oil stop leak product to slow the leaky valve stems and maybe buy me some time? Will this product damage good seals causing premature failure?

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Any thoughts on using a little of the Lucas oil stop leak product to slow the leaky valve stems and maybe buy me some time? Will this product damage good seals causing premature failure?

I recall reading these engines do not like oil additives or thicker/heavier weight oil very much.

 

[shadow61]

i would never use an oil stop leak cause it is too likeley to clog up necessary oil galleys and passages within the engine, the smoke you are getting sounds to me like valve seals. Have you checked the compression on each cylinder ? if you have a bad ring that will cause it to smoke like that also. if the vehicle has sat for a while or wasnt driven very often, the valve seals can dry out. then when you start driving it on a regular basis the seals are brittle and wind up breaking

 

[DirtyDC05]

i would never use an oil stop leak cause it is too likeley to clog up necessary oil galleys and passages within the engine, the smoke you are getting sounds to me like valve seals. Have you checked the compression on each cylinder ? if you have a bad ring that will cause it to smoke like that also. if the vehicle has sat for a while or wasnt driven very often, the valve seals can dry out. then when you start driving it on a regular basis the seals are brittle and wind up breaking

The stop leak is just a seal conditioner but I have heard that the seals will swell and stop leaking. But eventually they will leak again. It's like a high mileage engine oil. Has special additives to condition the seals.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

The stop leak is just a seal conditioner but I have heard that the seals will swell and stop leaking. But eventually they will leak again. It's like a high mileage engine oil. Has special additives to condition the seals.

So why not simply use a high mileage synthetic that already has the seal conditioners in it?

 

[DirtyDC05]

So why not simply use a high mileage synthetic that already has the seal conditioners in it?

That's what I'm thinking but I have heard it takes a while to notice a change . I kinda just wanted to see if there is a noticeable difference so figured adding it to my existing was worth a shot.

How many pcv valves do we have on the montero? I only see the one on the driver side valve cover? I also see a line on the rear of passenger side valve cover going into the intake tube.