5 replies to this topic

[m1tch]

Hi guys, after my mini overheated a while back its started to produce a bit of blue smoke on startup and for about a minute or so when driving, after its all up to temp and has been driven around its fine, just on startup sometimes when its not been used for a few days.

I have tried the valve guide seal failure test by going to 4000rpm and letting off, then going back on throttle, there is no blue smoke from that at all so im not sure whats up lol

[benno1275]

blue smoke indicates burning oil so it could be that your head gasket has gone and its creeping into the cylinders abit and when you have come to start it its kicked it all out and the temp of the engine has got upto the right temp and its sealed it a bit better

[m1tch]

I know its burning oil, I guess the head gasket might have gone, but im not getting any white smoke - coolent - whilst driving and the car hasn't lost any power from before it overheated

[SMP]

To be honest we'll all be guessing.

Do a compression test.

If the head gasket has gone you're not forced to lose coolant nor significant - this can happen but not always.

There are some checks you can do such as the valve guide seal check (you did do it on the road in gear didn't you?) - but the reality is whatever the fault the head has got to come off. So bite the bullet or live with it - there is nothing you can do to fix it without tearing into the engine.

Sorry but hope this helps you decide.

Cheers
Steve

Edited by SMP, 16 September 2009 - 04:27 PM.

[Bungle]

sounds like valve stem oil seals gone if it's only on start up

[m1tch]

I suspected it might be the valve stem seals, but like SMP says, I might as well live with it, just make sure the car is warm and not smoking next time it get MOTed! lol