Smoke from valve cover and dip stick
Moderator: Fatmobile
-
- Cetane Booster
- Posts: 28
- Joined: Mon Oct 15, 2012 8:12 pm
- Location: tucson, az
Smoke from valve cover and dip stick
I am getting quite a bit of white smoke from the oil cap on my valve cover and from the dip stick tube when I pull the stick out. Is this something to worry about? Its an 81 rabbit with around 180k on the engine. Starts and runs well, has power - no noticeable issues. Doesn't seem to be burning oil. There is a fair amount of oil leaking from all around the head gasket but its a verrrrryyyyy slow leak-never reaches the ground or needs to have oil added to make up for it.
Thanks
Thanks
'81 Rabbit, 2 tank WVO, 1.6 NA, 4 sp Manual, 245000 miles
Re: Smoke from valve cover and dip stick
The white smoke may be condensation in the oil that's burning off when the engine is hot. It's probably ok and just normal. Just watch it for a while to make sure something else isn't going on.
Everybody else lists their cars here - but not me.
I have too many to count
I have too many to count
-
- Cetane Booster
- Posts: 28
- Joined: Mon Oct 15, 2012 8:12 pm
- Location: tucson, az
Re: Smoke from valve cover and dip stick
Just realized that I put 10w40 oil for a gas engine in at my last oil change. Do you think this could be causing the smoke? I didn't notice the smoke before the oil change but I wasn't paying attention to it either. Should I expect other issues to arise from putting the wrong oil in? I have driven it about 200 miles with this oil. Should I change the oil for the correct diesel engine oil right away?
'81 Rabbit, 2 tank WVO, 1.6 NA, 4 sp Manual, 245000 miles
-
- Turbo Charger
- Posts: 1285
- Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2009 1:01 pm
- Location: Michigami, USA
Re: Smoke from valve cover and dip stick
10w-40 should be fine, unless you are in a very cold climate. (Please add your location to your profile.)
White smoke might be blow-by. Is there a steady gust out the valve cover (oil-cap removed) when the engine is running?
It wouldn't hurt to check the compression. 180K is not super-early to need rings.
White smoke might be blow-by. Is there a steady gust out the valve cover (oil-cap removed) when the engine is running?
It wouldn't hurt to check the compression. 180K is not super-early to need rings.
Have a nice day.
'91 Jetta ECOdiesel TD - clean & complete (less motor/tranny) for sale
'82 Westy Vanagon 1.9 N/A - 23.5mpg
'86 Jetta TD - 45-50mpg
'81 Dasher Wagon 1.6 N/A - 52mpg
'84 Wasserboxer - DOA, parts donor
'94 Passat wagon VR6
'03 Jetta TDI wagon 230K, 52.3mpg
'89 Jetta N/A - 51mpg
'82 Caddy 1.6 N/A - Sold
'91 Jetta ECOdiesel TD - clean & complete (less motor/tranny) for sale
'82 Westy Vanagon 1.9 N/A - 23.5mpg
'86 Jetta TD - 45-50mpg
'81 Dasher Wagon 1.6 N/A - 52mpg
'84 Wasserboxer - DOA, parts donor
'94 Passat wagon VR6
'03 Jetta TDI wagon 230K, 52.3mpg
'89 Jetta N/A - 51mpg
'82 Caddy 1.6 N/A - Sold
Re: Smoke from valve cover and dip stick
I've mistakenly run non diesel rated oil in ole 82, it was fine. I doubt that 10W-40 is causing your smoking problems.
Everybody else lists their cars here - but not me.
I have too many to count
I have too many to count
-
- Cetane Booster
- Posts: 28
- Joined: Mon Oct 15, 2012 8:12 pm
- Location: tucson, az
Re: Smoke from valve cover and dip stick
White smoke might be blow-by. Is there a steady gust out the valve cover (oil-cap removed) when the engine is running?
Yes there is.
Yes there is.
'81 Rabbit, 2 tank WVO, 1.6 NA, 4 sp Manual, 245000 miles
-
- Turbo Charger
- Posts: 1285
- Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2009 1:01 pm
- Location: Michigami, USA
Re: Smoke from valve cover and dip stick
I'd wager you are actually burning crankcase oil, but it's cool - it's fuel.
My 86 TD with bad rings ran great, then nuthin. 200K miles on the odo. Same with my Caddy. Both had lots of blow-by and need rings.
A compression tester is not expensive (you might even find a loaner at a parts-store).
Testing takes about an hour.
You will also need four new injector heat-shields (or a ball bearing to re-form the originals) and the hand tools.
If you are game to dig-in, we can outline the procedure. It is a very good foray into these engines.
My 86 TD with bad rings ran great, then nuthin. 200K miles on the odo. Same with my Caddy. Both had lots of blow-by and need rings.
A compression tester is not expensive (you might even find a loaner at a parts-store).
Testing takes about an hour.
You will also need four new injector heat-shields (or a ball bearing to re-form the originals) and the hand tools.
If you are game to dig-in, we can outline the procedure. It is a very good foray into these engines.
Have a nice day.
'91 Jetta ECOdiesel TD - clean & complete (less motor/tranny) for sale
'82 Westy Vanagon 1.9 N/A - 23.5mpg
'86 Jetta TD - 45-50mpg
'81 Dasher Wagon 1.6 N/A - 52mpg
'84 Wasserboxer - DOA, parts donor
'94 Passat wagon VR6
'03 Jetta TDI wagon 230K, 52.3mpg
'89 Jetta N/A - 51mpg
'82 Caddy 1.6 N/A - Sold
'91 Jetta ECOdiesel TD - clean & complete (less motor/tranny) for sale
'82 Westy Vanagon 1.9 N/A - 23.5mpg
'86 Jetta TD - 45-50mpg
'81 Dasher Wagon 1.6 N/A - 52mpg
'84 Wasserboxer - DOA, parts donor
'94 Passat wagon VR6
'03 Jetta TDI wagon 230K, 52.3mpg
'89 Jetta N/A - 51mpg
'82 Caddy 1.6 N/A - Sold
-
- Cetane Booster
- Posts: 28
- Joined: Mon Oct 15, 2012 8:12 pm
- Location: tucson, az
Re: Smoke from valve cover and dip stick
That would be great. Thanks for all your input!
'81 Rabbit, 2 tank WVO, 1.6 NA, 4 sp Manual, 245000 miles
-
- Turbo Charger
- Posts: 1285
- Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2009 1:01 pm
- Location: Michigami, USA
Re: Smoke from valve cover and dip stick
Before any work on a VW diesel, a Bentley Service Manual should be acquired. Typical mechanical hand-tools are required, plus occasionally some dedicated tools. Some experience in engine repair/maintenance is an asset.
Working on the injection system requires clean handling of parts: particulate contamination of the IP, injectors or lines can harm parts and cause very poor performance. Nitrile gloves, plastic sandwich bags and shop-towels are advised.
Any steel parts in contact with aluminum should be coated with anti-seize compound to minimize galvanic reaction.
Compression test overview:
Remove the injectors and disconnect the fuel-cutoff wire to the IP (to prevent fuelling). Install the compression tester into an injector boss and crank a few times until the pressure reading stabilizes. Repeat for all four cylinders.
If all that sounds manageable, detailed descriptions are around here in the posts and members can answer questions.
Working on the injection system requires clean handling of parts: particulate contamination of the IP, injectors or lines can harm parts and cause very poor performance. Nitrile gloves, plastic sandwich bags and shop-towels are advised.
Any steel parts in contact with aluminum should be coated with anti-seize compound to minimize galvanic reaction.
Compression test overview:
Remove the injectors and disconnect the fuel-cutoff wire to the IP (to prevent fuelling). Install the compression tester into an injector boss and crank a few times until the pressure reading stabilizes. Repeat for all four cylinders.
- Removing the injectors requires removing the hard-lines and return hoses. Under each injector is a heatshield designed for one-time-use (~$1 each), but they can be reformed to seal properly.
It may also require rotating the IP for clearance to injector #1 or #2. Rotating the IP will change the injection timing (critical), so the IP must be returned precisely to the original position, by marking the IP and bracket.
While the hard-lines are removed, testing and/or replacement of the glowplugs is advantageous.
Returning the engine to service will require restoring all lines and purging the system of air: a good quality priming-bulb and clear fuel-line are strongly suggested.
If all that sounds manageable, detailed descriptions are around here in the posts and members can answer questions.
Have a nice day.
'91 Jetta ECOdiesel TD - clean & complete (less motor/tranny) for sale
'82 Westy Vanagon 1.9 N/A - 23.5mpg
'86 Jetta TD - 45-50mpg
'81 Dasher Wagon 1.6 N/A - 52mpg
'84 Wasserboxer - DOA, parts donor
'94 Passat wagon VR6
'03 Jetta TDI wagon 230K, 52.3mpg
'89 Jetta N/A - 51mpg
'82 Caddy 1.6 N/A - Sold
'91 Jetta ECOdiesel TD - clean & complete (less motor/tranny) for sale
'82 Westy Vanagon 1.9 N/A - 23.5mpg
'86 Jetta TD - 45-50mpg
'81 Dasher Wagon 1.6 N/A - 52mpg
'84 Wasserboxer - DOA, parts donor
'94 Passat wagon VR6
'03 Jetta TDI wagon 230K, 52.3mpg
'89 Jetta N/A - 51mpg
'82 Caddy 1.6 N/A - Sold
-
- Cetane Booster
- Posts: 28
- Joined: Mon Oct 15, 2012 8:12 pm
- Location: tucson, az
Re: Smoke from valve cover and dip stick
Thanks for the input. That sounds doable.
'81 Rabbit, 2 tank WVO, 1.6 NA, 4 sp Manual, 245000 miles