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[jimac]

No, not a diesel but my petrol 2.2.

I've noticed that it quite often gives puff of blue smoke when I start it and sometimes quite big puff when I pull away after idling for a few minutes.  Apart from this being embarrassing, my MOT is being done on Staurday morning so I am a little worried that it might fail the emissions test.

I suspect valve stem oil seals.  Do you think I'm right?

[tunnie]

unusual for 2.2 to have that issue, they are solid engines with no build issues. Mines on 155k and uses hardly any oil!

I'd check the cam cover gaskets & plugs, make sure no oil is getting into the engine 

[Kevin Wood]

Sounds like it could be valve stem seals but check the breather system is clear before condemning them.

Give it a good run on the way to the test centre and it'll be OK. As long as there isn't sustained visible smoke at idle it'll be fine.

Reasons for failure:

b. emits dense blue or clearly visible black smoke for a continuous period of 5 seconds at idle

c. emits excessive dense blue or clearly visible black smoke during acceleration which would obscure the view of other road users.

[jimac]

Sounds like it could be valve stem seals but check the breather system is clear before condemning them.

Give it a good run on the way to the test centre and it'll be OK. As long as there isn't sustained visible smoke at idle it'll be fine.

Reasons for failure:

b. emits dense blue or clearly visible black smoke for a continuous period of 5 seconds at idle

c. emits excessive dense blue or clearly visible black smoke during acceleration which would obscure the view of other road users.

Well, there can sometimes be a faint hint of blue while it's idling and I guess it might come down to interpretation of "execessive" if it misbehaves during the test.

Ah well, if it fails I guess I'll be using the bike for work next week and spending my evenings handling spanners!  I'll try cleaning the breather system first and see where we go after that.

[Abiton]

You could take the 'stat out so it runs cooler, or put some heavier-grade oil in it, or both.  Bit bodgy, but would help I'm sure, just to get you through.

[jimac]

Well, it failed - on emissions and too much visible blue smoke at idle.  It was quite embarrassing actually, as the place filled with smoke and it set the smoke alarm off!

I had a word with a mechanic who said it could possibly be valve seals, but more likely it's oil control rings. He wouldn't know until he got the head off and then I'm looking at an unknown cost to complete the job. He has suggested buying a reconditioned engine and he would fit it, but that's starting look pricey. Another option is a second hand engine but that's a bit of an unknown as well.

It's a dilemma.  I like the car a lot, but it might be better to scrap it.  On the other hand, if I fix it I'll have a good car that should last a few years.

All suggestions and advice accepted!

[Martin_1962]

Could you repair it yourself?

[Gaffers]

Having had the dreaded valve stem oil seal issue on an X20XEV, I can tell you that whipping the head off and refurbing it can be done by a relative novice in a weekend.

One way to tell if its oil rings is to do a pressure leak down test first without and then with a little oil in the bore.  An easy and fairly cheap test 

[jimac]

Could you repair it yourself?

If it was just the valve seals I could probably manage it myself over time but it would mean doing it outside in the evenings after work. Not ideal. If it's the oil rings I couldn't realistically do it.

I've been getting quotes for secondhand engines.  I've had quotes for a 51,000-miler for £912, a 71,000-miler for £453 and a 30,000-miler for £564 (all including delivery and VAT).  I'm going for the 30,000 miler,not least because it comes with a 1 year guarantee (the others are 90 days), and next day delivery (they'll send it out on Monday to arrive on Tuesday).  I'm expecting about £200 to fit it.

I hope I'm not going to regret spending the money...

[jimac]

Well, I just got the car back after having the replacement engine fitted.  It's going great!

Fitting costs were a bit high, although the labour was only £250.  However, it included fitting a new cambelt kit and they threw in the MOT for free.  The total bill was £550, plus the engine which was £560.

Now, that might seem a lot of money but the only other option would have been to scrap it and buy another car and I don't think that would have been realistically cheaper.  And now I've got an engine that has only done 30,000 miles (and a 1 year guarantee) with a new cambelt kit fitted.  And I do like this car!

[danzigfan]

Nice job, I would do the same