Blowin smoke
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 555
Likes: 2
From: RDU NC
Blowin smoke
So the other day I fired up my 85 and let it warm up for about 10 or 15 minutes. Came back and it was smokin pretty good. Also noticed oil on the exhaust tips and on the rear facia (i guess from the last time I drove it). I've assumed its been needing some valve guides and/or seals for some time now. Did a compression check on it about 5 years ago because the #1 plug kept fouling every 1000 miles or so, and it would drop a quart of oil ever 1500 miles. Can't remember the numbers, but the difference between the highest and lowest was 10 lbs, with #1 being in the middle. Could it just be the valve guides/seals or is this obviously rings? 187K on the ticker. Never done internal engine work, dont have the time or tools, but think i could handle valve guide seals if thats all it is. Looking for suggestions 
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,322
Likes: 248
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
The job is not that difficult, but can be a handful for someone with no experience.
What tools do you have ??
Have you searched the archives to see what is involved ??
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 555
Likes: 2
From: RDU NC
Your valve seals are surely in need of replacement, but your lack of time,experience and tools, has me worried.
The job is not that difficult, but can be a handful for someone with no experience.
What tools do you have ??
Have you searched the archives to see what is involved ??
The job is not that difficult, but can be a handful for someone with no experience.
What tools do you have ??
Have you searched the archives to see what is involved ??
I am just curious if the symptoms are pointing obviously one way or another, hopefully to the seals!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
I've looked a little bit at the process, both online and in the FSM, and it seems something I'd be comfortable with. Looks like an air compressor would make things alot easier though. I'm not saying I have no experience, as I've done L98 intakes, headers, and just about everything else in the engine compart, just haven't gotten into the internals of the bottom end or heads. Plus I paid 5k for this car 13 years ago as a project and something I could learn on- boy did I get my money's worth haha.
I am just curious if the symptoms are pointing obviously one way or another, hopefully to the seals!
I am just curious if the symptoms are pointing obviously one way or another, hopefully to the seals!
Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 602
Likes: 0
From: North Bay Ontario
I'm not convinced that valve seals are your main problem. Without a doubt, some of your oil consumption and the fact that you have 187,000 km on the engine points to valve seal replacement. However, oil on your car's exhaust tips and smoking pretty heavily after 10-15 minutes of idling causes me to think there is another reason for your fouled plug and oil consumption. Possibly a leaking intake gasket, and/or a PCV failure. I would be looking for an intake leak, especially if you find that your compression is good in all 8 cylinders. I'm not saying don't do the valve seals - its an inexpensive job, and fairly straight forward.
