Smoke from Exhaust

taza · Post by **taza** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 12:03 pm

Hi guys I noticed white/grey smoke coming from my exhaust a few days ago. Mainly only when you give the car a boot load like past 4000rpm or put your foot down.

I checked the oil and it just read on the dip stick, I know she burns some but I had just topped it up to full 2000km ago before I came to perth for 3 days.

I have topped the oil up now and not noticed any smoke but that was only on my drive to work. The engien only has 162,000km on her. Also how much would I be looking at a new engine or rebuild if I can do it myself?

I know my spark plug gaskets are gone because oil gets into the spark plug wells and there are small amount of oil on the rocker covers.

Do you think that it could just be tht the oil was low and also need a change? or are the rings worn and im up for an engine rebuild? I can't really afford an engine rebuild as I am getting ready for uni next year.

All opinions are open and if shes up for that then I will be putting her back to stock to sell. Possibly get another forester and move all my upgrades over.

Thanks
Taza

Post by **TOONGA** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 12:29 pm

white / grey smoke isn't good. ( I'm sure someone will argue differently

)

http://www.tritonclass.org/mir/engsmoke.html

and this as well

http://autorepair.about.com/od/troubles ... xhaust.htm

TOONGA

taza · Post by **taza** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 12:35 pm

Gray smoke when the engine is warmed up. Usually appears when the engine is accelerated and may be especially notable when the engine is idling. This is unburned oil drawn into the combustion chamber past worn rings or valve guides. In the best case, the oil is just too thin (old oil, wrong weight) and is slipping past the piston rings and valve seals. The oil sump may be overfull. The cure is a simple oil change. But that won't solve gray smoke resulting from a worn engine. In the worst case, gray smoke means the engine needs replacement or serious internal repair.

That sounds more like it. If so I will put thicker oil in or now. Is it a DIY doable job with the help of mecvhanically minded people or a major to do the rings/valves?

Post by **TOONGA** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 12:45 pm

You can try thicker oil, what are you using now?

I would say a low KM engine swap would be easier than a rebuild.

this guy makes it look easy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byfNt-0iP6U

the music is really annoying

TOONGA

taza · Post by **taza** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 12:50 pm

Got an estimate on a an engine swap? If im going to do that may aswell upgrade or an EJ25 or EJ22 (which would be easier to get a hold of and cheaper).

I use Shell Helix 15w40. Its pretty cheap though and I get it from supercheap. There isn't much smoke and its only when your hard on the car. If I used a thicher oil do you reckon I could andother year from the car? Also if I don't thrasher her and just drive nicely?

Post by **TOONGA** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 1:01 pm

the cost of an engine swap depends on what you put in. if you go the EJ22 or EJ25 route you would need the harness, computer and motor. An EJ20 is a plug and play swap.

oil wise try 20w50 it may help it may not.

as for driving style it may be too late to change that:)

TOONGA

taza · Post by **taza** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 1:04 pm

^ Should there be any less smoke with a 20w50 oil? Any particular brand?

Post by **TOONGA** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 1:12 pm

taza wrote:^ Should there be any less smoke with a 20w50 oil? Any particular brand?

as I said it may help, it may not.There is only one way to find out.

Shell does a 20w50 that you can get from SCA.

or you could put one of these in

TOONGA

Post by **Alex** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 1:19 pm

you sure it isnt just cos its cold? or does it do it at temp too.

bloody rare for something to go wrong at 160km. Especially with an ej20, ive found mine to be bullet proof.

crank on the cam cover bolts abit tighter. My ej20 was leaky until i retightened them. (just coveing up an underlying problem tho) the seals will eventaully need to be replaced.

youd have to be stupid to put an ej22 in, go an ej25. ej22s are too old.

alex

taza · Post by **taza** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 1:20 pm

TOONGA wrote:as I said it may help, it may not.There is only one way to find out.

Shell does a 20w50 that you can get from SCA.

or you could put one of these in

TOONGA

I so should put the boxer diesel in!!! That would be a first. If I had the money

For the same price as picking up another EJ20, $500 onwards could I just rebuild my engine?

New rings, valves, head gaskets, seals, timing belt. All the major stuff so it will go for another 300,000+km

Post by **Alex** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 1:24 pm

i should read properly before posting haha.

doesnt sound too good...

taza · Post by **taza** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 1:49 pm

Alex wrote:you sure it isnt just cos its cold? or does it do it at temp too.

bloody rare for something to go wrong at 160km. Especially with an ej20, ive found mine to be bullet proof.

crank on the cam cover bolts abit tighter. My ej20 was leaky until i retightened them. (just coveing up an underlying problem tho) the seals will eventaully need to be replaced.

Happens at normal temp. This was was really low oil though. Will change it later today and hope for some change.

I know, bullet proof my ass!!! 160k is only run in. I should be getting double that. Shes always been serviced on time and well looked after. Other than running low on oil every now and again.

thunder039 · Post by **thunder039** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 1:58 pm

if its getting to low on oil on a regular basis you are burning more oil then you think or leaking more from the rocker cover. is the car miss firing at all? if it is its a good chance the seal to your rocker cover and spark plugs could be your issue. my forester with 155ks on the clock also leaks from here but does not miss fire YET! but i loose barely anything in a usual 10,000 service interval.

taza · Post by **taza** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 2:00 pm

What about something like so.

Foz GT engine. Pull mine and put this in? Would mounting be an issue being from a GT compared to N/A?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2000-GT-FORE ... 1e68a97157

Post by **TOONGA** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 2:07 pm

you would need the computer and all of the accessories he has removed, EG. the turbo etc...

if you are going down the road of an engine swap and you want to go turbo, it would be better to get a half cut that has everything on it.

TOONGA

taza · Post by **taza** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 2:33 pm

Or sell my Forester. Put her back to stock. Buy this, drive it back to WA over my 3 weeks christmas break. Put my mods back on (lift, exhaust, uhf, etc..) and I have white which I want and already a Subaxtreme bullbar.

http://www.carsguide.com.au/search/vehi ... D_30894111

I can keep my roof basket and remove the most of the stuff. probably leave the stereo in except for the amps and sub. Plus after abit of a polish she would come up alright.

Ideas?

Venom · Post by **Venom** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 2:41 pm

If you're going to sell it and get something else or thinking of an engine upgrade to your current car, why not go for a GT/XT and get both?

taza · Post by **taza** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 2:51 pm

I can live without the power if I got another car, sure more would be nice but I can live with a EJ20 thats been well maintained.
Plus the cost...
But if I were to do an upgrade then may aswell do it properly and go turbo or somehting bigger. But my 1st gear is also on the way too so im thinking sell and I don't have the money to buy a half cut.

If I got 9k for the foz then had to fork out abit say for the foz above with the Subaxtreme bullbar I would be happy. Then put my mods on.

thunder039 · Post by **thunder039** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 3:51 pm

probably better off finding out why your car is blowing smoke, it could not be a engine rebuild, especially since the car has only done 160 and its been regularly serviced, probably just a gasket or something along thoes lines

taza · Post by **taza** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 4:15 pm

thunder039 wrote:probably better off finding out why your car is blowing smoke, it could not be a engine rebuild, especially since the car has only done 160 and its been regularly serviced, probably just a gasket or something along thoes lines

Your right, I shouldn't get ahead of myself just yet. I should probably take it to a mechanic though... This is gonna cost