Grim.Badger 15 Posted July 2, 2008 Sorry for asking this but I can't get the search to narrow this down. If an engine smokes at idle when warm is it down to the rings or stem seals being knackered? Cheers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tjcgti 0 Posted July 2, 2008 its the valve stems. mine did the same, so i put some stop leak from halfords in and doesnt smoke, for now.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ALEX 98 1 Cars Posted July 3, 2008 (edited) I'd have said rings TBH! shot stem seals give plumes of blue smoke on start up as the oil drains into the bores overnight! Do a compression test on it to test the rings. Edit Is it oil thats burning, blue smoke, destinctive smell? Could just be bad fueling! Edited July 3, 2008 by ALEX Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GLPoomobile 958 Posted July 3, 2008 Yes, but everybody told me the same about my old 1.6 and got me in a right old panic about it. But I bit the bullet and did the stem seals and it was fine. They were just so far gone that it smoked permanently. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
craig f90 0 Posted July 3, 2008 Yes, but everybody told me the same about my old 1.6 and got me in a right old panic about it. But I bit the bullet and did the stem seals and it was fine. They were just so far gone that it smoked permanently. My 1st 1.6 engine was the same as GLP's. My mate did the seals with the head on. They had slpit, and crumbly. Once changed it never smoked again. If you can do it cheaply then try them first. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
v6Max 0 Posted July 4, 2008 What color is the smoke and you're sure it only smokes when it's warmed up? If it's blue then definitely try the stem seals - with the right tooling possible to do without taking the head off If it's white then possibly its the head gasket I'm afraid Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grim.Badger 15 Posted July 4, 2008 Definitely blue and it stinks like burnt oil; any idea if Haynes says how to change them with the head still on? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites