Smoking 4g63T

[Hyper_Mike]

Hey,

So after having my car smoking quite heavily for a bit now (mostly on idle and initial acceleration) I decided to get the compression tested....well the results are worrying to say the least
Mechanic said it could be few things and he wouldn't know until he pulled it apart but I'm leaning towards the rings or head gasket??
Any input? I have read lots of threads on this.

 

[Django]

What kind of smoke?

There's White smoke,

Blue smoke

And there's black smoke.

All mean different problems

 

[deepsouth]

get them to do a leak down test. The leakdown test will help you pin point exactly what is going on.
If it's head gasket you can hear bubbles in the coolant. If it's intake valve you can hear air in the intake pipe.
If it's exhaust valves you can hear it in the exhaust. If it's rings you can hear air in the crank case.
Helps to pin point things heaps more.
Youtube has a great video from the car guy about how it works. Jafromobile also does a good explanation.
With that low pressure reading on cylinder in number 3 i'd be guessing rings, but could just be valves.
If it's a leaky valve oil is going to make it's way into the cylinder and you will get smoke.
Leakdown is the way to go first. Good luck with it.

 

[Hyper_Mike]

Its a whiteish blue smoke. Yep I will get a leakdown test done and hopefully locate the issues.

 

[4piknup]

What are the % numbers on second line?
Compression tests should be done dry and then wet. This will show how much of the wear is cylinder bore.

But a leakdown tester is better

 

[Hyper_Mike]

So I'm entertaining the idea of buying the parts and getting my piston rings replaced and while I'm at it getting all my other gaskets and seals replaced. Would be looking to buy the following parts, would they work?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/200892486941?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/400480476729?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Cheers, mike

 

[Django]

Wow that's cheap, pretty sure they are the right fit, someone on here knows more about the crossover with the american models, can't remember who. Be sure to get your leakdown test done first cause you have a few possibilities as to what it could be, still a possibility that it's a leaking valve.... If you are going down the road of piston rings, prob should get a re-hone aswell.

 

[BMGTZ]

I wouldnt buy any mechanical parts till it is apart, as the bore could be scratched.or..oval. measure first then buy.

 

[4piknup]

The third cylinder is down a bit. But I wouldnt think its bad enough to make 'heavy smoke'
I wouldnt be looking to rebuild it yet.
I think there is some other issue

 

[Hyper_Mike]

I'll take it to the mechanic I guess and let him have a look, would like to avoid a full rebuild if possible.

 

[4piknup]

Compression tester is around $40. Get a screw in one then you can do it yourself.
Dry test on each cylinder, then wet (1tsp of oil down spark plug hole).

If wet test brings readings up more than 10% (what do others think?) That shows rings are the issue. If the low reading doesnt come up to same as others then probably issues with a valve.

 

[Hyper_Mike]

Awesome info thanks mate, im heading to super cheap now ill grab one while im there. Cheers.

 

[4piknup]

From your first post, I reckon you have only stuffed valve stem seals.
This isnt really a job for a inexperienced person. But a mechanic should knock it over in (maybe) 3 hours? If he wants to pull the head off to change stem seals, get a new mechanic.

 

[4piknup]

At idle, the engine has high manifold vacuum as the engine is sucking against the closed throttle. This means the intake port also has high vacuum. When the stem seals are bad it will suck engine oil down past the seals, down the valve guide and into the engine. Hence the smoke at idle. Then on initial take off it will burn the rest of the oil already on the back of the valve.

It probably smokes a bit on gear changes (manual) and when going downhill with foot off throttle (also manual) if you looked.

 

[BMGTZ]

From your first post, I reckon you have only stuffed valve stem seals.
This isnt really a job for a inexperienced person. But a mechanic should knock it over in (maybe) 3 hours? If he wants to pull the head off to change stem seals, get a new mechanic.

would be at least a day for me jack....cams have to come out...so timing belt off and all the associated crap that goes with redoing the cam timing

 

[4piknup]

Probably a day for me too. I was thinking a mitsi mechanic might knock it off quicker.
If you could get the cams out without disturbing the belt.
Maybe use the tensioner long bolt thingo and one of those toothed blocks between the cam wheels and couple of bulldog clamps to hold the belt. I reckon 3 hours would do it then

 

[Hyper_Mike]

Yea I hope they do that, my timing belt and tensioners were done less then 20000 ago.

 

[Hyper_Mike]

Well it would seem a rebuild is required, the rings are whats rooted. I have been quoted $3500 for a rebuild and $5500 for a "Performance rebuild" from an Engineering place here on the Gold Coast. Anyone know of any good engine rebuilders on the Gold Coast or in Brisbane who has experience with these engines, and please don't say NA Autosport, they wanted $9k + GST.

 

[4piknup]

9k is a pretty big engine from the usa.

 

[BMGTZ]

why use a shop when there are plenty of people on here that could do it. Dont say for warranty....there isnt a warranty with a performance build from most shops.