Blue smoke, Valve seals and Tappets

[Hellboy]

I have similar problems to some I've read via the search options, on start up my 98 VTR I get a clume of blue smoke for about 5-10 secs, this only happens on start up, now I've come to the verdict that it's the Valve seals. Surely if it was the piston rings it would smoke all the time??

I had decided that I would buy a head gasket kit and strip down the head and put all the new seals on, but I then read on another post that the valve seals can be done without taking the head off, is this true?? and what would be the best way of doing it?? I will most likely get the gasket set as it works out cheaper than buying individual.

Next, the tappets on the VTR are they Hydraullic Lifters or do you have to manually adjust them?? Seems like a stupid question but I know it's either the VTR or VTS that you can't adjust, but which!!. lol.

Cheers.

[dan-dan]

hi matie, ye with what you said its your valve stem seals, it will be more worth while doing the headgasket aswell then its done and you should not get any problems with that again in the future. if you are going to do that it would be worth while changing the timing belt, oh and they are adjustable on the vtr the vts has hydraulic lifters.

[shaunyboy]

Just buy a 2nd hand head and put it on mate along with a new gasket set, can have it done in a day if you buy everything before you start, if you have a decent mechanical ability a few hours at the most, also id stick a new timing belt on, and waterpump if its high milage.

[Hellboy]

I would say I have decent mechanical ability and will be doing it myself with a mate. I don't think I could stretch the budjet to another head, but I will be changing the timing belt, it's aways advised to put a new one on when you take one off, better being safe than sorry I guess. I'm going to look at water pump prices can't harm to do that. I also need a new timing belt covers as they have been removed buy the previous owner.

[dan-dan]

dont worry about changing the head its only seals why waste more money on stuff you dont need!!! just make sure the engine is 100% cold because that could warp the head but if you do it right you should not get any problems, you will need a valve spring compressing tool to get the valves apart.

[Marshy]

Does sound like valve stem seals, but I'd get a compression check done anyway to rule out the pistons/rings. On some engines (not sure about TU's) the stem seals can be replaced with the cylinder head in place, but you need an air line with the correct parts to compress air in the cylinder

[Hellboy]

dont worry about changing the head its only seals why waste more money on stuff you dont need!!! just make sure the engine is 100% cold because that could warp the head but if you do it right you should not get any problems, you will need a valve spring compressing tool to get the valves apart.


Well thinking about it more, if I have to take the head off I might as well change the seals and gaskets on that one wouldn't take much more time. Sure I can lay my hands on a Valve compressing Tool. Thank you for reminding me, would have looked a right dipstick if I had got that far and forgot to get one!! lol

[Hellboy]

Does sound like valve stem seals, but I'd get a compression check done anyway to rule out the pistons/rings. On some engines (not sure about TU's) the stem seals can be replaced with the cylinder head in place, but you need an air line with the correct parts to compress air in the cylinder

Well it's got to go to my mates for an MOT so I might see if he can do the compression test.

Might speak to him also to see if he can do the seals, mates rates! ;)

[Hellboy]

I have Good and Bad news on this, the good, it passed it's MOT with flying colours!!

the bad.... On the way back from the MOT station I noticed that my oil light kept going on and off, I'd been meaning to top it up until I got chance to do an oil change, so I popped into my local parts shop whom have never let me down and picked up some oil. I went out to the car with it and took off the oil cap and my face just dropped to an "ohh B*llocks" look, my car has the "Baileys Effect". Yes it looks like some rad water has got into the oil, as it was going dark I couldn't see if oil had got into the water, but it's most likely! Looks like the job has gone from not so important to Very Important! Grrr. I'm glad I don't have to drive the long distance! Balls!

[Liam_]

How much mayo we talking mate? It's not uncommon to get a little bit. Check your oil breathers incase they're blocked.

[Hellboy]

I'd say about an egg cup full, I'll have another look tommorrow in the light see if there is more.

[Hellboy]

well I've been keeping my eye on the mayo effect and I have not seen any more mayo than when I removed the last lot from around the oil cap. I happened to check it while it was on tickover while I had the bonnet up, now I'm pretty sure this isn't normal but it feels like exhaust gas is escaping from a valve seal(s) or head gasket!! I really need to get this sorted before I kill the engine!!