Car blowing blue smoke, possible valve stem seals?

Re: Car blowing blue smoke, possible valve stem seals? (Reddtarga)

Thu, 03 Sep 2015 17:55:52 GMT

You didn't say how much oil is it using. Have you done a careful check?

Re: Car blowing blue smoke, possible valve stem seals? (TwoDogs)

Thu, 03 Sep 2015 11:53:15 GMT

The sure-fire test for valve stem seals is that with the throttle open, driving along, no smoke.
Shut the throttle with the engine revving, ie slowing for a corner, then the piston going down will try to suck oil down the valve guides, if possible. Go round the corner and drive out from the apex - as soon as the throttle opens, poof a delicate little puff of blue then no more. That's your worn guides and/or seals.
Best seen by buddy in the car behind.
Now smoke at idle, I guess it could be guides, or rings, or something else....
Rings blow smoke under power, say driving up a hill ...constantly (until you run out of oil).

Re: Car blowing blue smoke, possible valve stem seals? (Admin)

Sun, 26 Jul 2015 10:26:23 GMT

Sounds like stem seals to me. How many kms has the engine done?
You really need to get the head reconditioned to have it done properly.
I've learnt the hard way that taking shortcuts are not really shortcuts. Spend the money and get it fixed properly. It's worth it.

Re: Car blowing blue smoke, possible valve stem seals? (scz)

Fri, 05 Jun 2015 09:19:14 GMT

Worn stem seals characteristically give some smoke after the car has been idling for a while, say, at the traffic lights. If you have continual smoke, check your crankcase breather system &/or do a compression check for worn piston rings/bores.

Car blowing blue smoke, possible valve stem seals? (jude_m)

Thu, 04 Jun 2015 22:13:33 GMT

Hi everyone, I have a 1990 MR2 N/A and it's just given me the next big headache. I believe the car is burning oil due to the smell of it as I run it in the morning and I think I saw some blue smoke as it runs on idle. I know it would not be the head gasket as my coolant levels are in the middle and I have not seen any milky appearance on the oil.

I was wondering if anyone has any experience replacing these and help me out with it because I really do not have the money to take it to a shop. Or if anyome can give me very reasonable quotes when you have had the seals replaced at a shop. Thanks!