I need to figure this out once and for all.... Car smokes, oil on plugs after cam
04-13-2010, 06:16 PM
#1
I need to figure this out once and for all.... Car smokes, oil on plugs after cam I've searched, searched, searched some more... picked my tuners brain, called some shops... everyone is telling me different directions to go, and is overall slightly confused. Here's what I got...
I installed a cam in my car, the Torquer 2. This LS1 is a brand new GM replacement, 25k on it. It never had one quirk to it before the cam install, not a single leak, not a drop of oil consumed, nothing. Didn't smoke or anything. Ran PERFECT.
Now imagine my frustration, after my cam install I have oil on my plugs and I have blue smoke coming from my exhaust. It's not an extreme amount of smoke, but it is noticeable and people have seen it besides me.
During my cam install I changed the normal stuff except valve seals. I went with the PAC 1518s, was told OEM valve seals would be fine, by TSP. Also told since it was such a low mileage motor that there probably wasn't a need for valve seals. Like I said, it didn't smoke, didn't see the reason to replace them. Just one more thing for me to screw up, right?
After the cam swap the car smokes pretty good for the last 60 miles or so of driving, there is oil on the plugs. I do NOT have a catch can, can this be the potential issue?
It's my understanding that it COULD be valve seals, however since I have oil on my plugs, that means it should be coming from the intake, not the valve seals. After looking in my throttle body.... I can see inside it and there is a shine to the inside of the intake. I'm sure it's oil, but it's not puddling or anything. I do see the back wall of it shining though.
Based on the info I've provided, can someone PLEASE give me some guidance. I'm replacing the PCV valve with a new GM part (dealer ordered it for me), but I'm wondering if I'm going the wrong direction and should get a catch can.
I installed a cam in my car, the Torquer 2. This LS1 is a brand new GM replacement, 25k on it. It never had one quirk to it before the cam install, not a single leak, not a drop of oil consumed, nothing. Didn't smoke or anything. Ran PERFECT.
Now imagine my frustration, after my cam install I have oil on my plugs and I have blue smoke coming from my exhaust. It's not an extreme amount of smoke, but it is noticeable and people have seen it besides me.
During my cam install I changed the normal stuff except valve seals. I went with the PAC 1518s, was told OEM valve seals would be fine, by TSP. Also told since it was such a low mileage motor that there probably wasn't a need for valve seals. Like I said, it didn't smoke, didn't see the reason to replace them. Just one more thing for me to screw up, right?
After the cam swap the car smokes pretty good for the last 60 miles or so of driving, there is oil on the plugs. I do NOT have a catch can, can this be the potential issue?
It's my understanding that it COULD be valve seals, however since I have oil on my plugs, that means it should be coming from the intake, not the valve seals. After looking in my throttle body.... I can see inside it and there is a shine to the inside of the intake. I'm sure it's oil, but it's not puddling or anything. I do see the back wall of it shining though.
Based on the info I've provided, can someone PLEASE give me some guidance. I'm replacing the PCV valve with a new GM part (dealer ordered it for me), but I'm wondering if I'm going the wrong direction and should get a catch can.
04-13-2010, 06:29 PM
#2
I have oil on my # 7 cylinder plug from time to time. My car does smoke a little on hot starts occasionally as well. I replaced my valve seals when I did my cam install (my motor had 16k on it at the time) and the # 7 cylinder I am pretty certain I did not get the valve seal seated all the way on it. As you know there is not a lot of room to work back there. Anyway, I have been told my problem is a valve seal issue. I too have oil in my intake though so it could be combination of both. My post probably doesn't help you much but I am pretty sure my problem is a valve seal issue and it kind of sounds like yours is too.
04-14-2010, 01:59 AM
#3
Simply because you have oil on the plugs does not mean that it is from the intake. It could simply be from the rocker arm bolts or the valve seals leaking. I would honestly start simple.
I would switch the spark plugs and drive the car a little to see if the smoking continues. You may have just simply had residual oil in the intake runners from leaning the intake one way on removal, a spill, etc...
If the smoking continues I would step up and purchase a basic catch can setup. A proper PCV setup will really help identify issues if you are indeed seeing oil in the intake manifold. I would pull the TB real quick, shine a light in there, and / or wipe a rag around in there to see if it is really oil.
If you have eliminated oil entering the intake tract you know that it is then coming from the heads somewhere. I would guess either the rocker bolts or the valve seals. Sometimes the valve seals are difficult to get on there or are damaged in initial removal. GM actually has a J tool for installing valve seals.
1. Change plugs
2. Catch can / proper pcv setup
3. Valve seals / rocker bolt sealant
Good luck
I would switch the spark plugs and drive the car a little to see if the smoking continues. You may have just simply had residual oil in the intake runners from leaning the intake one way on removal, a spill, etc...
If the smoking continues I would step up and purchase a basic catch can setup. A proper PCV setup will really help identify issues if you are indeed seeing oil in the intake manifold. I would pull the TB real quick, shine a light in there, and / or wipe a rag around in there to see if it is really oil.
If you have eliminated oil entering the intake tract you know that it is then coming from the heads somewhere. I would guess either the rocker bolts or the valve seals. Sometimes the valve seals are difficult to get on there or are damaged in initial removal. GM actually has a J tool for installing valve seals.
1. Change plugs
2. Catch can / proper pcv setup
3. Valve seals / rocker bolt sealant
Good luck
04-14-2010, 12:10 PM
#7
however since I have oil on my plugs, that means it should be coming from the intake, not the valve seals.
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04-14-2010, 12:46 PM
#8
This is just a guess.....the stock cam only moved the valves so far...now the new cam moves the valves farther....maybe the part of the valve stem that has never bean<haha in contact with the valve seal before damages the valve seals. I know its a long shot but its all i can think of unless the the heads were ported and the intake rocker bolts are sucking oil.
Another thing to consider is valve guide clearance, with a higher lift cam it may be something you want to check. I would pull the valve covers and springs, check ALL the guides for wear and replace the valve seals. Its a good place to start. Good Luck
Another thing to consider is valve guide clearance, with a higher lift cam it may be something you want to check. I would pull the valve covers and springs, check ALL the guides for wear and replace the valve seals. Its a good place to start. Good Luck
04-14-2010, 01:49 PM
#9
This is just a guess.....the stock cam only moved the valves so far...now the new cam moves the valves farther....maybe the part of the valve stem that has never bean<haha in contact with the valve seal before damages the valve seals. I know its a long shot but its all i can think of unless the the heads were ported and the intake rocker bolts are sucking oil.
Another thing to consider is valve guide clearance, with a higher lift cam it may be something you want to check. I would pull the valve covers and springs, check ALL the guides for wear and replace the valve seals. Its a good place to start. Good Luck
Another thing to consider is valve guide clearance, with a higher lift cam it may be something you want to check. I would pull the valve covers and springs, check ALL the guides for wear and replace the valve seals. Its a good place to start. Good Luck
04-14-2010, 08:36 PM
#13
Not sure on stock heads. I would think the bolts still enter the intake runner. If they're not sealed every time the intake valve opens, it sucks oil from the top of the head.
04-21-2010, 05:40 PM
#17
Having the same problem after my cam swap. I didnt know I was supposed to put sealant on the rocker arm bolts, I just pulled the rockers and the bolts are soaked all the way to the tip, and I stuck a q-tip down the bolt whole and it was full of oil, took around 5 q-tips a hole to get them clean.
Also looking with a flashlight, I can look down the bolt hole and see into intake runner on the head, and it looks wet. But I have a 5.3 with 862 heads, no idea if this is the case on 241's.
Going back out to the garage to finish cleaning everything up, put some sealant on the bolts and put 'er back together.
Ill post back with my findings in a few days to see if im still chewing threw oil.
Also looking with a flashlight, I can look down the bolt hole and see into intake runner on the head, and it looks wet. But I have a 5.3 with 862 heads, no idea if this is the case on 241's.
Going back out to the garage to finish cleaning everything up, put some sealant on the bolts and put 'er back together.
Ill post back with my findings in a few days to see if im still chewing threw oil.
