9 replies to this topic

[smalbutsweet]

Hiya, having just passed MOT, i was informed that the reason i get smoke on start up is is because i could have oil seeping on to the cylinder head? what i wasnt told was wether this was bad or how to fix, when i tried asking the guy he wasnt interested in helping me out just wanted to moan about how much Minis are a pain in the arse to MOT... HELP would be great...

[dklawson]

Are you talking about wiffy smoke from under the bonnet or out the tail pipe? In my limited experience, it's much more likely that the wiffs of blue smoke on start up come out the tail pipe and are the result of bad/old valve guide seals. These can be replaced w/o pulling the head if you have patience, a length of clean rope, and a valve compressor. If the oil smoke is coming off the block it's not the valve guide seals and is a more serious issue with leaks getting on the exhaust manifold.

Sorry about the problem but at least you passed the MOT.

[smalbutsweet]

It is from the tail pipe, ive always had smaoke with first start up but i put that down to just being cold, now its every time i start.. i do have a small oil leak, does it smell because its burning it off? Having asked a guy today i was told not to worry about it until the head needs repairing because its not a 5min job, and just to leave alone??

[Dan]

Well it sounds like the valve guides need replacing. Eventually they will wear so much that it will affect the performance of the car but untill then it will just continue to burn oil. If you can put up with it then don't worry about it. Bear in mind that it might mean you fail a roadside emissions test if you ever get asked to take one in which case you'll have a few days to get the work done and get re-tested.

[smalbutsweet]

Looks like i better get it sorted, i must admit its worse since i had a DTM twin fitted and had the CAT removed... i dont want to be stopped on the roadside, so a garage i must find.. many thanks Dan..

[clubman katie B.F]

ihad this problem too...to it to the local mini mechanic. he floored the throttle then told me the valve stem oil seals had gone.... if after flooring the accelerator it smokes when you lift your foot off then that is your problem

[smalbutsweet]

I dont have a problem after flooring its just on each start up..

[TimS]

for a tempory solution you can get wynns stop leak from halfords and other motor factors!

[smalbutsweet]

Right, had her on the ramps today and found a leak which i think is my driveshaft seals have gone on both sides, could this have anything to do with the smoke?? or am i way off here??

[TimS]

that wont affect it as the smoke has no way of getting into your exhuast system that way.