5 replies to this topic

[Lee_bash]

So, My cars got through lots of oil lately, and i've noticed it spitting out the exhaust pipe at least on start up, maybe after.
I was thinking worn valve guide seals- or at worst, piston rings.
Just wanted to confirm it could be these, or if theres anything else I should check?

[Tamworthbay]

Are you sure it's oil? If a car doesn't get much use or only does short runs you can get condensation in the exhaust which mixes with carbon deposits and gets chucked out the exhaust when it's cold. This looks like a thick black liquid and could easily be mistaken for oil. If you aren't sure rub it between your fingers and it will be obvious. Usually oil coming out of the exhaust is in the form of blue smoke.

[Lee_bash]

It might be that. I'll get some pictures tomorrow- I back the car on the drive usually, against a white garage door so its usually fairly obvious haha

So, the thick black liquid *should* be ok? I did think it funny for un burnt oil to fly out the exhaust, but feared the worst imediately and assumed my engine was nackered (probably is anyway )

[Tamworthbay]

If you are using oil it must be going somewhere, could be leaking or burning but you need to find out which. See the sooty deposit as your mini 'marking its territory' . my daily drive MGB leaves a foot long smear on our drive and another just behind where i park at work.

[Cooperman]

The only black spots which come out of the exhaust pipe are carbon spots mixed with water.
If the rings are worn you'll get crankcase compression which you check by removing the rocker cover oil filler at tickover and see if it is 'chuffing' smoke from the filler.
Worn valve guides or valve guide seals will give a 'puff' of grey smoke when you push the throttle down after lifting off at medium to high revs.
Is it using much oil? How many miles to a pint?

[Lee_bash]

Its dropping oil but I think that's due to a faulty timing cover seal, so im going to fix that this weekend and Go from there. It does seem to give off abit of smoke, once I've topped the oil back up I'll give the rocker cover cap trick a try thanks :)