No Smoking?

[Great Dane]

Hope you don’t mind an ‘idiot question’ from a new arrival on the Series 3 scene. Bought my SWB 2.25 petrol (1980) last year. No hint of emission problems at the MOT, but now it smokes (grey/blue) quite badly after start-up, then settles down once the engine is warm. Haynes and other manuals seem to say this is always a sign of engine wear. Is that right? Could it just need properly servicing/tuning? Or be to do with lead replacement fuel?  If the engine is on the way out, what is the best option – new engine or trying to replace pistons/rings etc? Thanks.

[22900013A]

If the engine is buring oil, get a new/secondhand engine and then take your time getting the old one rebuilt bit by bit.

[Great Dane]

Many thanks.

[Rich_P]

If the engine only blows out blue smoke on start up, it is probably the valve stem oil seals that are leaking.  This means when the engine isn't running, the oil in the head can drain down through the valves and into the cylinders.  When you start up, this oil gets burnt and gives you the blue smoke out of the exhaust.

If it is the valve stem oil seals, these can be replaced as they do wear and (I think) crack with lack of use or age just like a tyre.

[Great Dane]

Thanks very much.

[muddyjames]

but dont all cars have smoke out the back when the engine is cold and it is cold outside?

[hobbit]

If the engine only blows out blue smoke on start up, it is probably the valve stem oil seals that are leaking.  This means when the engine isn't running, the oil in the head can drain down through the valves and into the cylinders.  When you start up, this oil gets burnt and gives you the blue smoke out of the exhaust.

If it is the valve stem oil seals, these can be replaced as they do wear and (I think) crack with lack of use or age just like a tyre.

not so much wear as perish to harden up an break, does your machine give of a puff of smoke when pulling away from standing at a junction or lights?

[bezzabsa]

but dont all cars have smoke out the back when the engine is cold and it is cold outside?

thats condensation

[muddyjames]

oops. ignore my post then!

[Great Dane]

Thanks to one and all for your useful ideas and suggestions. I reckon the smoke from my Landy's exhaust after start-up is definitely more than condensation (but it's true, that does happen on cold days), but I didn't know anything about the valve-seal thing, so many thanks. I'll check that out. If that isn't the answer, I guess I'll be looking for someone with a better engine to sell. All the best. :D

[bezzabsa]

valve guide rubbers are a doddle to do...own a cortina or capri and you have to do them about evry 6 months!!
usually harden over time and so dont seal as they are supposed to..

[Rich_P]

If the engine only blows out blue smoke on start up, it is probably the valve stem oil seals that are leaking.  This means when the engine isn't running, the oil in the head can drain down through the valves and into the cylinders.  When you start up, this oil gets burnt and gives you the blue smoke out of the exhaust.

If it is the valve stem oil seals, these can be replaced as they do wear and (I think) crack with lack of use or age just like a tyre.

not so much wear as perish to harden up an break, does your machine give of a puff of smoke when pulling away from standing at a junction or lights?

Only smoked on start up.  Infact, with the engine barely being used, with the occasional start ups, it doesn't smoke at all.

[blackbob]

:D try an oil additive for worn engines might soften up the oilseal a tad for a temp solution

[bezzabsa]

:D