Smoke from Driver side top end
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: Brevard NC
Smoke from Driver side top end
My 02 Z is smoking from the rear section of the top of the motor just behind the master cylinder. I cannot see the source of the leak nor find any down below. I wanted to ask around if likely a valve cover gasket or possibly another cause?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,922
Likes: 219
From: West Branch, MI
Would only take a few minutes to check things out. If your motor is stock and still has the coil covers on it, then:
1. Take coil cover off the drivers side
2. Unplug spark plug wires and coil connectors from the 4 coils.
3. Remove the bolts holding the coil plate to the valve cover (I think there's 5 if I remember)
4. Remove coils and set aside.
5. Remove valve cover bolts and then take the valve covers off. If you have a loose bolt, you'll probably notice it right now. (Probably the culprit)
6. Inspect valve cover gasket and check for breaks or gasket not in gasket valley.
7. Install all back in in reverse order.
8. Another possibility is a leak at the oil pressure sensor behind the intake manifold on the drivers side. (This is very common and has been covered a gazillion times so just Google it)
Not too many things where you've indicated the smoke is coming from other than the two things I've mentioned. The valve cover issue shouldn't take more than maybe 20 minutes. Check it out and report back.
1. Take coil cover off the drivers side
2. Unplug spark plug wires and coil connectors from the 4 coils.
3. Remove the bolts holding the coil plate to the valve cover (I think there's 5 if I remember)
4. Remove coils and set aside.
5. Remove valve cover bolts and then take the valve covers off. If you have a loose bolt, you'll probably notice it right now. (Probably the culprit)
6. Inspect valve cover gasket and check for breaks or gasket not in gasket valley.
7. Install all back in in reverse order.
8. Another possibility is a leak at the oil pressure sensor behind the intake manifold on the drivers side. (This is very common and has been covered a gazillion times so just Google it)
Not too many things where you've indicated the smoke is coming from other than the two things I've mentioned. The valve cover issue shouldn't take more than maybe 20 minutes. Check it out and report back.
Last edited by CactusCat; May 13, 2016 at 11:07 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: Brevard NC
Would only take a few minutes to check things out. If your motor is stock and still has the coil covers on it, then:
1. Take coil cover off the drivers side
2. Unplug spark plug wires and coil connectors from the 4 coils.
3. Remove the bolts holding the coil plate to the valve cover (I think there's 5 if I remember)
4. Remove coils and set aside.
5. Remove valve cover bolts and then take the valve covers off. If you have a loose bolt, you'll probably notice it right now. (Probably the culprit)
6. Inspect valve cover gasket and check for breaks or gasket not in gasket valley.
7. Install all back in in reverse order.
8. Another possibility is a leak at the oil pressure sensor behind the intake manifold on the drivers side. (This is very common and has been covered a gazillion times so just Google it)
Not too many things where you've indicated the smoke is coming from other than the two things I've mentioned. The valve cover issue shouldn't take more than maybe 20 minutes. Check it out and report back.
1. Take coil cover off the drivers side
2. Unplug spark plug wires and coil connectors from the 4 coils.
3. Remove the bolts holding the coil plate to the valve cover (I think there's 5 if I remember)
4. Remove coils and set aside.
5. Remove valve cover bolts and then take the valve covers off. If you have a loose bolt, you'll probably notice it right now. (Probably the culprit)
6. Inspect valve cover gasket and check for breaks or gasket not in gasket valley.
7. Install all back in in reverse order.
8. Another possibility is a leak at the oil pressure sensor behind the intake manifold on the drivers side. (This is very common and has been covered a gazillion times so just Google it)
Not too many things where you've indicated the smoke is coming from other than the two things I've mentioned. The valve cover issue shouldn't take more than maybe 20 minutes. Check it out and report back.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 398
From: Boise, ID
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Could be leaking from the oil pressure sending unit, money is on that. Could also be cam position sensor but unlikely.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: Brevard NC
No luck yet. Removed Intake manifold and Oil pressure sensor totally dry and all valve covers good. The car smokes out the drivers front fender well and from the back of intake manifold, but there was no oil there. And the car leaves no oil underneath or can be seen from anywhere under the car. I guess it could be the rear main, but the weird part is that it just all of a sudden started doing it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,345
Likes: 855
From: MI
Cruise-In VI Veteran
No luck yet. Removed Intake manifold and Oil pressure sensor totally dry and all valve covers good. The car smokes out the drivers front fender well and from the back of intake manifold, but there was no oil there. And the car leaves no oil underneath or can be seen from anywhere under the car. I guess it could be the rear main, but the weird part is that it just all of a sudden started doing it.
Did you by chance do a snif test, does the smoke smell like oil or coolant?
There is on other possibility>> As you have an LS6, the heads have the coolant passage plugs installed at the back topside of the heads, the "O" may be seeping and dribbling coolant on the manifold...
Post up if you see anything from underneath.
Cheers,
Goose
