Oil burn on startup

Vitarja · 02-04-2013, 04:09 PM

I have a 1998 Vitara V6 H20 engine, on startup weather hot or cold there is a lot of smoke from the tailpipe, - there is no smoke when ideling or driving. If I remove the short hose that goes from the PVC valve to the manifold, there is no smoke at startup, if I use a long hose from the PVC valve and put it into the air cleaner everything works well, - why is this?? is there another fix to this problem??

aquanaut20 · 02-04-2013, 04:26 PM

For some reason the engine is building up pressure in the crankcase and forcing oil vapour into the intake manifold.
Check that the PCV is working correctly.... Philip

Vitarja · 02-04-2013, 05:11 PM

Thanks Philip, I changed the PVC valve, - same issue. It is not just vapor, it is actual oil that is being sucked up but this only happens on startup not while running. any other thoughts??

aquanaut20 · 02-04-2013, 05:20 PM

Oil puffing on start up can be attributed to oil pooling and leaking valve stems/seals...

The reported fact of no smoke on hard acceleration and engine braking indicates the rings are doing their job... Philip

Vitarja · 02-04-2013, 05:40 PM

let me add to the mystery, if I park the vehicle with the front inclined down it does not happen, if I park front inclined up or on a level it happens. - That rules out a valve stem seal problem. - think again

aquanaut20 · 02-04-2013, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vitarja

let me add to the mystery, if I park the vehicle with the front inclined down it does not happen, if I park front inclined up or on a level it happens. - That rules out a valve stem seal problem. - think again

Not necessarily, there are 2 main drains from the valve train area. One in the front, the other at the rear of the engine.... So maybe to the front its draining but does not in the other positions....

You may have to remove the valve cover to check.... Philip

Vitarja · 02-04-2013, 06:08 PM

Just making sure we are on the same page, - your references are for the V6 H20 engine right?? also, do you think that my solution of extending the hose from the going to the manifold, blocking off the manifold connection and connecting the hose to the air cleaner is ok/sufficient, do I really need to make an expensive repair?? Is this really a problem to be concerned about??

aquanaut20 · 02-04-2013, 06:29 PM

Venting into the intake box may open up a pandora's box (in time).

It probably has less affect because the Vacuum is substantially lower than directly connected to the intake manifold. ... Philip

Vitarja · 02-04-2013, 06:37 PM

Thinking about what you said about the drains, I was thinking that maybe there is a drain at the back of the engine near the PVC outlet that is blocked causing the oil to build up enough to be sucked up by the manifold suction. - What says you?? Just to let you know, this "conversion" of mine was done a year ago - no smoking since - car runs well but just feel like correcting whatever is causing it.

The Goat · 02-04-2013, 11:31 PM

I'd pull the valve cover... or run some diesel oil in short oil change intervals. It will remove a lot of soot. May help clear up that clogged oil passage.

What weight oil are you running?

If its valve seals, a slightly thicker oil will reduce smoke. If its piston rings, a thinner oil tends to reduce smoke.

If allowed to idle for say, 20 minutes in drive... as in traffic, when you accelerate, is there visible smoke?