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Hitman20
20-09-2007, 03:44 PM
Hey, I had a search and couldn't find the answers i was after. So i thought i might just come straight out and ask.
My car is churning through oil very quickly and is blowing blue smoke on start up.
- What's the cause of this? (i assume it's burning oil)
- Where's the problem occuring?
- Or how can i find out where it's coming from?
- AND the biggen, what should i do to solve this problem?
- Do i or don't i need to see a mechanic? Do i need to replace any parts?
Cheer's, Brad!

BiG 4 CyL
20-09-2007, 03:55 PM
hey mate, i got a similar problem. is just blue smoke on start up or when driving as well? blue smokeo n startup means valve stem seals need replacing. if its continuosly blowing smoke then your rings are shot. u can try some stop smoke in your oil and/or a thicker oil to prevent it seeping through the seals.

not sure how big or small of a job it is too fix. chat too buffy about that

Hitman20
20-09-2007, 04:39 PM
I dono, i'll check to see if it blows all the time. It blows harder when i push it harder on start up, like if i rev it hard. Also it might something to do with it being cold.

Dave262
20-09-2007, 04:53 PM
Valve stem seals. Fairly easy thing to change if you have the tools and the patience, otherwise about $20 to get them done at an engine reconditioners. I personally haven't ever had to replace them myself, as the head has been taken off the engine way too many times and I always replace them at that time anyway lol

[TUFFTR]
20-09-2007, 04:58 PM
Valve stem seals. Fairly easy thing to change if you have the tools and the patience, otherwise about $20 to get them done at an engine reconditioners. I personally haven't ever had to replace them myself, as the head has been taken off the engine way too many times and I always replace them at that time anyway lol

For a 4cyl your looking at about $300 to get the valve stems fixed, for the V6, Alot more.

Contact Madmagna as he knows magnas inside out

RoGuE_StreaK
20-09-2007, 05:03 PM
I'm thinking by the sounds of it rings might be more likely. Firstly, your seals would have to be almost missing to go through a wholeheap of oil, and secondly you should only get a fairly short puff of smoke as it clears the chambers, should clear up with some revving, not get worse.

RE: seal cost, the seals themselves are very cheap, but labour is a killer.

ADZA27
20-09-2007, 05:05 PM
Lol you have blown piston rings which is why you are burning oil...
be prepared to pay min $1500 to fix :)

have fun...
cheaper way... let it burn oil :)

now who said valve stem seals?.....
valve stem seals would cause you to lose only minimul oil, and will only blow a tiny amount of blue smoke on start up.

you most likely find that you have a developing piston ring problem,
quick check, whats the mileage on the cars?

[TUFFTR]
20-09-2007, 05:12 PM
I say valve stem seals as it was a design flaw in the 2nd gen magna/verada engines and happens to every single magna or verada at some stage in its life

Well, usually..

Madmagna
20-09-2007, 05:36 PM
If you are going to post a solution, at least please try and use some sort of mechanical knowledge to state your case before this poor guy goes and spends thousands on a problem that may be repairable for a few hundred

To replace valve stem seals will cost more than $20, the parts are about that.

if you are in the eastern subs and want to pop over, I can tell you for sure exactly what is the problem and give you a price to fix once and for all

PM me if you want help

For the above, stem seals will cause smoke when on start up and after prolonged idle. smoke under load is generally rings or excessive build up around the oil rings.

magna buff
20-09-2007, 07:25 PM
how to replace them-- link

http://www.mitsubishiclubaustralia.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1906

and do a compression test on all cylinders

ADZA27
20-09-2007, 07:50 PM
Ok, my first post really didn't help with a solution i know.

here is how to test once and for all if its the seals/valves or the rings

**site admin please sticky this if u feel it necessary**

1. get a compression tester.
2. with the plugs out and/or dizzy unhooked proceed to test each cylinder by cranking the engine to register a pressure on the comp tester
3. isolate the cylinders with a lower compression than average and test these again.
4. if they are still low then do the following
5. get a small amount of oil 10 - 20 mm should do and pour it into the cylinder that is low on compression (repeat if necessary for additional cylinders)
6. if the compression stays low then your top end (stems/valves are gone)
but if the compression rises then your bottom end (piston rings are stuffed)

simple and cheap to check!!!
madmagna is right thou, its quite expensive to do stem seals (more for piston rings)
but if you are mechanically minded you can do them at home as magna buff kindly pointed out and even some pics of tools u can use

**EDIT** sry quoted the oil figure slightly to high :P i forgot my measuring spoon :P

Hitman20
20-09-2007, 08:41 PM
Lol... engines beat the hell out of me, i can do some real basic stuff, but any extensive testing or repairs, i have not the tools or the know how. I might just PM Madmagna... and get in idea of what's goin on in there.
- Cheers all! Your help has been much appreciated, Brad

BiG 4 CyL
21-09-2007, 04:41 PM
Ok, my first post really didn't help with a solution i know.

here is how to test once and for all if its the seals/valves or the rings

**site admin please sticky this if u feel it necessary**

1. get a compression tester.
2. with the plugs out and/or dizzy unhooked proceed to test each cylinder by cranking the engine to register a pressure on the comp tester
3. isolate the cylinders with a lower compression than average and test these again.
4. if they are still low then do the following
5. get a small amount of oil 50 - 100 mm should do and pour it into the cylinder that is low on compression (repeat if necessary for additional cylinders)
6. if the compression stays low then your top end (stems/valves are gone)
but if the compression rises then your bottom end (piston rings are stuffed)

simple and cheap to check!!!
madmagna is right thou, its quite expensive to do stem seals (more for piston rings)
but if you are mechanically minded you can do them at home as magna buff kindly pointed out and even some pics of tools u can use

pour oil into the cylinder???

ADZA27
21-09-2007, 10:17 PM
yes big 4cyl

you pour a small (apologies i made a mistake on the actual figure) amount in, (just enough to make a seal around the edge of the piston inside the sleeve)
if you pour too much in you know what will happen???
the piston will hydraulic and you WILL bend the conrod...NOT GOOD!!!
if you are not confident doing this then DON'T

im sure magnabuff will back me up on this (back me up here)

and if i really want to throw a spanner in the works....it will test the valves and the rings not the stem seals but as has been said already, if a stem seal is gone, it will blow a quick puff of blue smoke when it starts and this is an additional isolation test.

**as always my advise and posts are free but i will not be at fault if you mess something up, so use this at your own risk**

and YES i have done this on my own car! and YES i have 2 cylinders with shot rings... :(
but its less expensive to spend 15 bucks a month on oil than pay for an engine rebuild...

BiG 4 CyL
22-09-2007, 03:54 PM
wasnt planning on trying it mate lol just took me by surprise haha.

magna buff
22-09-2007, 08:36 PM
yes oil into the cylinders is called a wet compression test

do a normal compression test write down the figures

wet test for rings if they are worn

if no difference between the dry test and the wet test then it is a valve problem

Madmagna
23-09-2007, 07:33 AM
Correct but this will only account for compression loss and not test the valve stem seals.

Best test for stem seals is warm up motor, leave at idle for 10 - 15 mins then give a good rev, smoke = stem seals