Engine Smoke and Valve Cover Question
#1
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Upland, Indiana
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Engine Smoke and Valve Cover Question
OK... My car has been parked now for almost a month due to legal problems, and today I went to move my car, and it started smoking from the back of the engine. So I tightened the valve cover and it still smoked. Then I took the cover off and checked the gasket, it looked fine. When I looked at the inside of the cover it had some white stuff in it... I think water may have gotten in there or something. Or could it be coolant? I still haven't found the cause of the smoke though. What could be wrong?
#4
If the inside of the cover had white residue in it, it'* a coolant issue. It'* rare on a Series I to have a coolant issue, but have your coolant system pressure checked to tell you for sure.
#5
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Sometimes, moisture in the air will condense on the inside of the valve covers when the crankcase ventilation system isn't working right. You might want to check it out after a long run when it has had a good chance to warm up and naturally rid itself of the accumulated moisture. If it is still there, then I'd be looking at coolant issues, too.
#6
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Halifax Nova Scotia ASE Master Service Tech
Posts: 376
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
On alot of the engines that I haver replaced in my career I have seen alot of white gunk inside of valve covers and all it is is moisture as stated before. The main cause of this if in the winter you take alot of short trips where the engine doesn't fully heat up thereby not burning off this moisture that is in the crankcase. Allowing the engine to full warm up, frequently changing the oil and ensuring your PCV valve is working will take care of this.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post