I have a 1995 Magna auto 4-cylinder. There is no smoke on start up but if I let it warm up for 5-10 minutes and rev it, some bluish white smoke comes out of the exhaust-it has an oily smell. I let the wife drive it and watched from outside- some smoke (not too much) comes out when she starts off from standstill or when she revs slightly. The car doesn't overheat (temp only comes up to halfway at most even with ac on). There is no deposit on the inside of the oil cap.

Is it the valve stem seals or have the rings worn out? The car has done about 140 kays but I bought it recently and have no idea how well its been looked after. If it is the stem seals, can anyone suggest a good mechanic in western Sydney who can look at the problem and do the seals for some reasonable price? I live in Seven Hills.

Any help appreciated.

the valve stem seals can be done with the head on
while there get a compression test to see if its valves or rings

a dry test then a wet test

Dont worry with the comp test, you have classic stem seal symptoms, is a very common thing with the second gens

If it was to be rings, you would have smoke under load that did not clear

Thanks guys, now to find a workshop which can do the seals without charging an arm and a leg.

have you changed the oil lately? if the oil is old and diluted it will get passed the valve stem seals easier, I had a TP wagon that was like that and changing the oil to a good brand help alot, not saying your car hasn't got worn valve stems seals but just try a good oil, supercheap sells a good nulon brand of oil for worn and high K motors, just a thought, cheers

Thanks Deanots, the oil was changed recently but appreciate your suggestion. Can anyone recommend a good mechanic/workshop in Western Sydney?

My motor has 160k on it and had been sitting for up to 18 months at a time 3 times and my valve stem seals had some issues, for a while I got away with running Penrite HPR30 which holds it's viscosity at running temps unlike cheap oil. It's $38 for 5L but it's the best oil I've come accross and I am not gentle on my cars :S

the valve stem seals can be done with the head on
while there get a compression test to see if its valves or rings

a dry test then a wet test

Hi,
Is that right valve stem seals can be replaced with the head on? I am having new rocker cover gaskets replaced tomorrow to stop a bad leak so was thinking bout getting them to fix the puff of blue smoke issue aswell but thought it would be a major repair.
cheers baeden

Hi,
Is that right valve stem seals can be replaced with the head on? I am having new rocker cover gaskets replaced tomorrow to stop a bad leak so was thinking bout getting them to fix the puff of blue smoke issue aswell but thought it would be a major repair.
cheers baeden

yeah it'll be a much bigger repair then just a rocker cover gasket, can be done with head on.

I've had the 'big puff of smoke when starting up', then only the occasional smoke on take off if i've been sitting at the lights too long. (also 2nd gen with 150000km on a 2.6 lt which I consider low km's!)


I have assumed this is the valve stem seals also???


It's gradually getting worse and I was considering an engine change rather than fixing them, but I have been wondering if this could be fixed head on.


What do you guys reckon a fair estimate on the cost of both options would be?

Chances are the replacement engine will have the same symptons as yours. It can be fixed head on but not many mechanics do it head on because of the risk associated with dropping a valve in.

Dont worry with the comp test, you have classic stem seal symptoms, is a very common thing with the second gens

If it was to be rings, you would have smoke under load that did not clear

Just quickly, since it only does it when revved a bit - Wouldn't this indicate under load? afaik stem seals will smoke on idle?

nope not load. rings gone will be smoke pouring out all the time like the hyundai excel's.
Stem seals if shit will smoke on idle and when you give it a rev.

thanks.

with my old beast prob not worth fixing.

we'll see

Very common problem exactly as you have explained. To fit New seals usually cost around $50 per cylinder done with the head on...had mine done and doesn't blow any smoke at all now

Thanks for the info sir

quite reasonable, so I will have to check around

Brett, if you find anyone in NSW willing to do it with the head on, give me a heads-up. I've tried but no luck so far.

This has nothing to do with mileage.... my TS V6 is doin this pretty bad. its got 108thousand k's now. had it for 4 years. was doing it very mildly when i bought it with 23thousand k's. its nothing major, just a PITA

Hey Topgun, dropped in to see my mechanic on the weekend and mentioned the stem seals needed doing. He just said straight out 'yeah I can do these in the car (head on) no problem.' so he's done them before.
I'm booking it in within the next 2 weeks so I'll let you know how it goes and the approximate costs.
He reckons a lot of mechanics will just pretend they don't know about doing it head on so they get more work/money out of you.

I'll give you his details when it's done as well, he is located in the Peakhurst area.

they hook up the same fitting for testing compression and pressurise the cylinder with air, this holds the valve closed while the retainers are off, they simply turn the camshaft to close the valve on each one.

Thanks Brett H

valve stem seals done yesterday with head on.
Dropped into mechanic in morning, picked it up in the afternoon.

fixed up the smoking problem nicely.

Topgun I'll pm you the mechanics details (peakhurst NSW)

Hi Brett H…can you pm me the mechanic's details and a contact person. Also how much did it cost? Thanks.

magna777 pm sent