smoke after idling

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D3x!

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Hi all,

my dad just got a hyundai 150csi for a run around car, the car smokes after it has been idling, and the longer it idles the more smoke.

i.e
- pull off, very little smoke
- pull off after waiting at robot, more smoke.
- when driving no noticable smoke

the smoke is like a white/grey smoke, my dad says there is a petrol odour although i dont really smell it.

he thinks the car is over fuelling, and as such the longer it idels the worse the problem.

note: car performance is fine, runs like a bomb actually imo

Any idea's?

Thanks :)

ps. i am going to try get it on the computer tomorrow to see if it throws any codes etc.
 
White smoke in the old days was the result of the lead in the petrol. These days there is no lead in petrol, and therefore that cannot be the source of smoke.

Are you sure it is smoke and not steam?

If smoke, it can only be the burning of engine oil. So monitor the oil consumption. The car is a bit older, so this is the more likely cause. Also possible that the oil is overfilled (common problem), or the grade of oil is incorrect (also a common problem). Worst case scenario is that the rings need to be replaced, and the engine will always smoke especially under stress, not just idling.

Good luck.
 
JayN said:
White smoke in the old days was the result of the lead in the petrol. These days there is no lead in petrol, and therefore that cannot be the source of smoke.

Are you sure it is smoke and not steam?

If smoke, it can only be the burning of engine oil. So monitor the oil consumption. The car is a bit older, so this is the more likely cause. Also possible that the oil is overfilled (common problem), or the grade of oil is incorrect (also a common problem). Worst case scenario is that the rings need to be replaced, and the engine will always smoke especially under stress, not just idling.

Good luck.
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hmm could be steam i suppose, what you thinking, head gasket? best way to test?

oil level is fine and i sure as hell hope grade is fine as was serviced by agents not that long ago. will monitor to see if it is burning oil though.

i find it strange, the longer it idles the more smoke, when driving no noticable smoke.
 
psheldon said:
Sounds like valve guides. Do a compression check.
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I think you mean valve stem seals, not valve guides.

Valve stem seals are the little rubber (?) bushes around the valve stems.

Another way to check is to drive the car down a steep incline with the throttle closed, and open the throttle when you reach the bottom. There should be a puff of white smoke if the valve guides are worn.
 
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Oil can be blue or white smoke, depending on where the oil is leaking from.
 
White smoke is coolant leaking into engine and emulsifying with oil. U mite see sumthin frothy cumin out the tail pipe.
 
Valve stem seals would be my guess

Best way to check it without opening the engine is the fact that there is little smoke at low refs but once refs pick up the smoke is gone.
 
Smoke can mean either over-fuelling (strong fuel smell) oil (oilly smell) or coolant (coolanty smell, signs of possible head gasket issues).

Its hard to tell without seeing/smelling it
 
I checked dipstick, oil clean, opened oil cap, oil clean. Radiator coolant clean, doesn't bubble.
 
Pitbull said:
Valve stem seals would be my guess

Best way to check it without opening the engine is the fact that there is little smoke at low refs but once refs pick up the smoke is gone.
Click to expand...

meh i am not that clued up to open the engine, just btw opening engine means new head gasket anyway right?

also do you have to skim head when changing a gasket or just if it is warped?
 
D3x! said:
meh i am not that clued up to open the engine, just btw opening engine means new head gasket anyway right?

also do you have to skim head when changing a gasket or just if it is warped?
Click to expand...

Only need to skim the head IF the car overheated.
Taking it off and putting it back is not the problem, the problem is that you will need a torque wrench to tighten it. Unless you know someone who has one rather not do it, those wrenches are crap expensive.

And yes, you will need a new gasket :p
 
Pitbull said:
Only need to skim the head IF the car overheated.
Taking it off and putting it back is not the problem, the problem is that you will need a torque wrench to tighten it. Unless you know someone who has one rather not do it, those wrenches are crap expensive.

And yes, you will need a new gasket :p
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O and btw, you don't need to remove the head to change the Valve stem seals just take off the tappet cover. But we warned, it's a crap job :D

edit:

Let me just clarify.

To inspect the valve stem seals you can just remove the tappet cover and inspect them. You can change them by not removing the head but it takes some skill and luck. But if you want to do it correctly and have the tools just take the head off.
 
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How do you know it doesn't smoke while moving? Movement will blow smoke away, esp if white. It could be there, just harder to see/smell...

I used to pish oil onto the exhaust header/branch when engine was under load. That was a smoker of note :erm:
 
Budza said:
How do you know it doesn't smoke while moving? Movement will blow smoke away, esp if white. It could be there, just harder to see/smell...

I used to pish oil onto the exhaust header/branch when engine was under load. That was a smoker of note :erm:
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i was driving behind my dad and even drove up next to him to get a close look ;)

my bmw used to burn oil, was like a smoke machine when you made a right turn :D

The_Librarian said:
White smoke can also be an indication that your brake booster is leaking brake fluid into the engine.
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so then i would notice a drop in brake fluid?
 
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