Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: griff1 on 12 May 2008, 09:28:13

Title: blue smoke valves and pistons
Post by: griff1 on 12 May 2008, 09:28:13
got some running problem on start up no problem exhaust smoke looks about normal but after leaving running starts to emit blue smoke which obviously then wont pass emissions am i looking in the right areas of valves and pistons or could it be something simpler help !
Title: Re: blue smoke valves and pistons
Post by: Dazzler on 12 May 2008, 09:36:04
If you hold the revs at about 2500rpm and its chucking out blue smoke then i would say its the piston rings.
If it doesn't then firstly insure that all the breather pipes and system are clear.
If it still has blue smoke on idle/after start up the yes its likely to be the valve stem oil seals.
HTH
Title: Re: blue smoke valves and pistons
Post by: griff1 on 12 May 2008, 09:55:54
as i suspected well there goes the next few weekends cheers
Title: Re: blue smoke valves and pistons
Post by: Kevin Wood on 12 May 2008, 10:02:28
As said, either valve stem seals or piston rings. Might be worth trying a compression test to establish the condition of the rings. Do a dry test then add a little oil and see if the compression improves significantly. Uneven compression or low compression that improves with oil points to the rings. If the engine appears fine on a compression check it could be just the valve stem seals. Also check the breather system is clear just in case.

What sort of mileage has it done?

Kevin
Title: Re: blue smoke valves and pistons
Post by: Andy B on 12 May 2008, 12:22:18
Quote
got some running problem on start up no problem exhaust smoke looks about normal but after leaving running starts to emit blue smoke which obviously then wont pass emissions am i looking in the right areas of valves and pistons or could it be something simpler help !

If it's really that bad there were a couple of Omegas in Bury Salvage (first yard on the left at Pimhole) when I went in the other week.
Title: Re: blue smoke valves and pistons
Post by: bappy on 12 May 2008, 13:00:44
I assume you have already checked oil levels... If it's over-filled by a lot then that would make it smoke some...
Title: Re: blue smoke valves and pistons
Post by: griff1 on 12 May 2008, 16:54:48
thanks for all your advicve the car has done 89000 and i will be down at pimhole tomorrow to see if anything worth having cheers
Title: Re: blue smoke valves and pistons
Post by: Kevin Wood on 12 May 2008, 23:54:31
Sounds unlikely that it will have piston ring problems at that mileage. Any history of a cam belt failure?

I reckon check the breathers are clear first, check compression, check for signs of oil leaking down the valve stems with the manifold(s) off and only if that doesn't bear fruit take the head off and have a look for valve damage on the piston crowns and glazing / scoring of the bores. Replace the stem seals while it's apart and check the valve guides just in case it's had a cam belt failure and the guides are damaged.

If the compression check shows a potential ring problem then new rings and a hone.

Of course, if a replacement engine is available cheap it might be a better option but I can't believe 89K will have done too much wear unless it's had something go wrong previously.

Kevin
Title: Re: blue smoke valves and pistons
Post by: Lazydocker on 13 May 2008, 00:22:39
I'm with you kevin... Seems unlikely to be anything more than valve stem seals at worst... Unless there's been a belt fail in the past.

Check the simple stuff first... Oil level or breathers are far more likely!
Title: Re: blue smoke valves and pistons
Post by: griff1 on 13 May 2008, 09:22:03
thanks again for all your advice compression check booked for sat will post results after cheers again paul
Title: Re: blue smoke valves and pistons
Post by: griff1 on 07 June 2008, 10:18:14
just an update to all you kind folk dropped the oil first nearly 1.5 litres too much flushed through immidiate improvment  clean breather pipes more joy have added small amount of engine revitaliser even more joy now running much more like it should be just ploughing through ether mot stuff 2 new wishbones said it neede inner track rod end  turned out to be new nut and bolt old one stripped next 2 rear coil springs and handbrake shoes there this weekend followed by exhaust next weekend then hopefully it will be back to its former glory oh anbody experienced with the alarm system it wont work htough there was some damage to wiring on bonnet lid prerviuos owner had chopped through several wires had them sorted but alarm still not functioning hpoe to here from you all cheers again soon to be back on the road paul :) :) ;) ;)
Title: Re: blue smoke valves and pistons
Post by: VX1 on 07 June 2008, 11:02:49
Hi mate you do not need a compression test done on your car. I had the same problem you describe and the problem was the CRANKCASE BREATHER. This was blocked and full of carbon build up. Check this and if blocked then clean until clean and you see day light. This will solve your blue smoke from the exhaust. Trust me I thought the same as you and ordered all the parts including pistons and end bearings, big end bearings the lot found out it was the crankcase breather pipe. This is located to the right of the engine and a rubber pipe connects from this breather to the cam cover. Check this out first before anything else.

Paul  :y
Title: Re: blue smoke valves and pistons
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 07 June 2008, 12:51:08
Quote
Hi mate you do not need a compression test done on your car.

Always worth doing one - especially on no1 :)
Title: Re: blue smoke valves and pistons
Post by: griff1 on 07 June 2008, 16:38:18
cheers have done two on the other side checked that one seems ok but will check again thanks i naerly ordered the same stuff as you but consulted the experts first - other owners who needs mechanics thanks again ;D :y