Revived

I've noticed this smoke when the car is started and at lights.It's not rolling smoke...but certainly enough to notice and smells like burning oil. I've checked the oil and, it is indeed oil that's burning, it's not an excessive amount. Thoughts?

PFB

The easiest thing to check first is your PCV valve. If you haven't changed it in a loooong time than change it.

Phil

Oro

The rear valve cover gaskets leak after miles and years. They run hotter than the front because of the firewall proximity and lack of airflow. They drip onto the exhaust header. Unfortunately it is difficult to fully examine or tighten them w/o removing the intake system.

Revived

Hi, and thanks. Could you elaborate on changing these gaskets? How difficult?

WILLYumD

I'll refer you to speedkar99's fantastically thorough .

Revived

Good idea. Thank you.

Revived

I just changed the PCV valve and the burning/smoke has seemingly disappeared. Thank you.

Is this a common symptom with failing PCV valves?

Hayk

iTrader: (1)

Yeah they vent blowby gases to the air intake. If the seal and/or valve fails, it can vent to the atmosphere

Revived

Thanks all.

mugencivic

I have a similar issue but it started after I reversed into a space and my muffler hit the curb. You might have an exhaust leak, but i never new about the PCV needing to be changed.

Revived

I'm revisiting this issue and would like some additional insight. The amount of smoke has not increased since I posted this but what are the repercussions for not replacing the valve gaskets? Will it adversely affect other engine components and, if so, to what extent?

It also may be worth mentioning that it is not consuming oil at rapid pace or anything like that.

I drive this car probably less than 5k per year and I will remain diligent with oil changes/checks so I'm just weighing the expense of having this done by a mechanic because I don't believe I'm comfortable trying this repair myself.

LeX2K

Oil leak won't hurt the engine assuming the oil level is okay. But the oil will degrade everything rubber it gets on including any suspension parts.

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

Fortunately, the rear valve cover gasket repair, even on the rear, is only a few hundred dollar job, maybe $400 at most, so if you do decide to get it done, it isn't that expensive. Now if it were the rear main seal, then I would for sure say ignore it and just check levels.

Oro

+1, this is exactly the issue.

I had a moderate leak that barely rated worrying about. After changing, it went from being down 3/4 of a quart every 7.5k miles, to down 3/8~1/2 a quart in that extended interval. BUT: when I had to replace the PS pump, I had a strong feeling it was because of being continually drizzled with oil, and the lower control arm over there had to be replaced early-ish, too. So after doing the PS pump and looking around, I make a priority of doing the VCGs. It is not a terrible DIY job, but a bit time consuming.