Valve Seals...bad?
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From: Lincoln, Ne
*PLEASE HELP* Valve Seals...bad? Well this weekend I happened to be watching in my side mirror when I started the car up and it puffed a small cloud of blue smoke. Ok now I know that SBC's have a history of burning oil on startup due to worn valve seals but c'mon my motor only has 40k miles, is this common? When I had someone start the car with me standing directly behind the car it definately is oil but it is only right on the start up of the motor. After that first puff of smoke you can sit there with your nose in the exhaust and there is no more burning oil smell.
So is this going to be bad valve seals even with only 40k miles? What could have caused this? My car is only driven once a week at the most and sits for the entire winter, im not sure if that could have caused the problem or not.
I was/am planning on swapping the cam out which would require me to replace the valve seals either way but the last thing I want to do is get a nice big cam in there and then have to sell the car, since that would greatly decrease the number of possible buyers.
Could I possibly damage anything by driving/racing the motor on bad valve seals?
ENGINE GURUS PLEASE RESPOND!
So is this going to be bad valve seals even with only 40k miles? What could have caused this? My car is only driven once a week at the most and sits for the entire winter, im not sure if that could have caused the problem or not.
I was/am planning on swapping the cam out which would require me to replace the valve seals either way but the last thing I want to do is get a nice big cam in there and then have to sell the car, since that would greatly decrease the number of possible buyers.
Could I possibly damage anything by driving/racing the motor on bad valve seals?
ENGINE GURUS PLEASE RESPOND!
Last edited by C.J.; Apr 26, 2006 at 04:31 PM.
Swapping out a cam doesn't require you to dissassemble the valve train.
Ergo, I think what you mean is that if your going to remove the rockers, your going to replace the valve springs (?) and the seals.
Ergo, I think what you mean is that if your going to remove the rockers, your going to replace the valve springs (?) and the seals.
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From: Lincoln, Ne
Well to my knowledge most people replace the valve seals when upgrading valve springs when they do their cam swaps.
either way my question has todo with what has caused mine to fail prematurely or could it be something else which is causing the motor to burn oil only on startup.
either way my question has todo with what has caused mine to fail prematurely or could it be something else which is causing the motor to burn oil only on startup.
i am wodering if there are any signs that you have bad valve seals, my car has been going through about 1.5 quarts every 3000 miles and im gonna pull my valve covers tomorrow and take a look see if i can see anything. what should i look for??
You may have a puddle in the intake as well that is dribbling in with the car off. The PCV system on these cars seems to dump a lot of oil in the intake. I wouldn't blame the seals quite yet.
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From: Lincoln, Ne
Well what are the symptoms of the PCV system gone bad? My car will ONLY smoke 1 small puff of smoke only when the car is started. I have not noticed any signs of burning oil after it is running. To my knowledge...burning oil only on startup would be valve seal related. What do you guys think?
Once again my main concern is damaging the motor in anyway. Can I hurt the motor by driving it hard/racing it with worn valve seals?
Once again my main concern is damaging the motor in anyway. Can I hurt the motor by driving it hard/racing it with worn valve seals?
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If your talking just a little puff or two I really wouldn't worry about it, but if it looks like your fogging for mosquitos you might want to check things out a little farther.Just my .02 cents.
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From: Lincoln, Ne
Originally Posted by Zitty'sZ
If your talking just a little puff or two I really wouldn't worry about it, but if it looks like your fogging for mosquitos you might want to check things out a little farther.Just my .02 cents.
I would say the small cloud dissipates within a few seconds and then all you can smell with your face pretty damn close to the tail pipes is exhaust. I dont think I have ever noticed this before though...
Originally Posted by C.J.
I would say the small cloud dissipates within a few seconds and then all you can smell with your face pretty damn close to the tail pipes is exhaust. I dont think I have ever noticed this before though...
I don't think you will have any problems with it if thats all your seeing.I wouldn't loose any sleep over it if I were you, just keep you eyes on it but I honestly think it's ok!
Originally Posted by C.J.
I would say the small cloud dissipates within a few seconds and then all you can smell with your face pretty damn close to the tail pipes is exhaust. I dont think I have ever noticed this before though...
If it is the seals, and I threw the PCV system in there because if you look in your manifold as I did you will find a puddle behind the throttle body, my Suburban has 185,000 miles on it. It has smoked on startup since it left the showroom. It runs flawlessly and has never been an issue.
I wouldn't worry about it. If you have oil consumption that you didnt used to have, them maybe think about it. Id continue with your camswap as planned and change the seals when you do the springs anyway.
EDIT: Misleadingly poor spelling.
EDIT: Misleadingly poor spelling.
Last edited by GuitsBoy; Apr 27, 2006 at 08:21 PM.
I dont know if I'm the engine guru you are looking for......but for what its worth....Mine burns a little oil on start up just like yours man. And a little at WOT because of the PCV. Even when my car was 'new' to me with 45k, it would do it a little.
I'm with you on this one.
Originally Posted by GuitsBoy
I would worry about it. If you have oil consumption that you didnt used to have, them maybe think about it. Id continue with your camswap as planned and changes the seals anyway.
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Originally Posted by GuitsBoy
I would worry about it. If you have oil consumption that you didnt used to have, them maybe think about it. Id continue with your camswap as planned and changes the seals anyway.
So your saying I SHOULD or SHOULDNT be worried? Im not sure if you just messed up when typing or what.
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From: Lincoln, Ne
well if that is the case and i should be worried....what would be the cause of this oil besides the stupid PCV system/valve seals? What else would cause the motor to burn oil only on startup?