Hello everyone, after fixing my brakes from help here, I now need help with this other issue. During take off from a stoplight after some idling, I get a puff of oil smoke. This only happens after about 10 and more seconds of idling. If I rev and hold the rev no smoke. If I let it idle it also has no smoke. When I rev it, it shoots out smoke. The car has 87k miles. Could it be the valve steam seals? Any ideas?


Thanks,
George

maybe. valve seals will leak particularly on dedelleration from high rpm. take it up to redline in third gear and back off abruptly. if they are bad you will get a lot of smoke. it is not a dangerous problem, more of a nuisance...unless you have a mosquito problem.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Could also be a trasmission modulator.

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Auto Zentral Ltd.

Symptoms point to the valve seals, but typically they do not degrade at such low mileage. Typically, valve guides and seals last much longer than 90K provided the engine has received appropriate oil changes and has not been overheated.

The 3.0 liter Mitsubishi used in Chrysler/Doge/Plymouth minivans in the 80's and 90's were notorious for early valve seal failure, but they usually lasted 100 - 120K before belching embarrasing puffs of smoke.

Not familar with your engine, perhaps others can comment on whether or not this is a problem area with that particular powerplant.

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Mike

82 240D 97K Original (Sweet)
96 Ford F350 CrewCab Dually,7.3 PowerStroke,144K
(a real workhorse, does anything I need)
04 VW Jetta GLS TDI, 33K (50 mpg & it's quick)
Notice a trend? All diesels

63 Chevy II Nova Convertible (wife's) awaiting restoration - Well everyboby has a little gas every once in awhile

I replaced the valve seals on my '86 560SL to solve this problem at 100k mi; now there is no smoke and it burns no oil. Not a bad job, just take your time.

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as ever
Paul

1989 560SL
1987 300SDL
1987 300TD
1983 BMW 633CSi
1972 280SE 4.5

Mike 2005 said: Typically, valve guides and seals last much longer than 90K provided the engine has received appropriate oil changes and has not been overheated.
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My 560 SEL has had the oil changed every 3000 miles since new and I had to replace the guides and seals at 100K.....

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1986 560 SEL (159K miles)

I know that my 1988 560sl used some oil
I changed the valve seals and what a difference no oil betwween changes
The old seals were hard as rocks
If the chain guides for the timing chain get hard why would not the valve seals get brittle
it's hot in the engine and it is 18 years old
Cheap fix and it works

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[B]Mike Y.
00 sl500 sport
88 560 sl (sold)

Yeah, sounds like the valve seals. I have had a couple of cars in the past that did this. It was very embarrasing to say the least. I would dread seeing a traffic lamp turn red, because I knew the results when I would accelerate.

I was once considering a 1993 Lincoln Town Car, with 77K actual miles. It had the 4.6L engine, which are very reliable engines, but these were well known for this design flaw. It was like new and well maintained, but it already had the problem.