oil in carb

I recently rebuilt a 96 metro and think I did every thing right. When I start the car it runs fine when it is at an idle, when I give it gas it smokes after a short while and white smoke poars out the exhaust. When I pull the air cleaner off it is full of oil. What did I do wrong ?

Welcome to AF!

Start with the easy stuff first: Did you change the pcv valve?

Next you might consider the findings at this post http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=634866 Did you use an aftermarket head gasket?

Also it is my understanding there is a oil restrictor or perhaps it's called a drainback valve in the head is it in place and/or possibly reversed?

I'm sure others will have some thoughts and will correct me if I have steered you down a wrong path.

Good luck and let us know what the fist turns out to be.

also check to see that you didn't over fill the oil and that your PCV valve is working properly.

White smoke in the exhaust in cold weather is completely normal. It is condensation escaping from the exhaust system.

Search PCV catch can on google and you will get some links to a catch can which you can put inline with the PCV to remove the blow by oil from the PCV system.

Cleaner plugs, better economy, better idle and an overall cleaner engine.

I did use an aftter market head gasket, I can blow through to pcv valve, and the white smoke is a smoke screen that get worse, not better, when the car is running. I'm at a loss, all suggestions are appreciated. The head was bought rebuilt and I was told all I needed to do was drop the gasket and bolt it up.

[QUOTE=firstimer]I can blow through to pcv valveQUOTE]

I too could blow through my pcv valve but still had oil in the air cleaner housing. When I pulled the pcv and examined it I found that the previous owner had removed the valve portion (apparently by poking something hard through the middle of the valve) so it was essentially just a straight through tube. I changed it out for a new one and so far so good. This may not be all of your problem but might be a contributor.

When you rebuilt your engine did you also replace the rings? I once replaced a headgasket on a Honda Civic and while doing that I had the head rebuilt. The head was so tight, that the increase compression passed thru the rings and created a fog bank of oily smoke. I ended up selling the car.

White plumy smoke is coolant.

Condensation will clear as the engine warms up. You sure it isn't just condensation?

I rebuilt just about everything. New pistons, rings, bearings, a rebuilt head and all new seals and gaskets. As for the white smoke, it is not condensation, I have oil dripping out my tailpipe and oil pooling on top of the carb. After talking to a few people and all the help that I'm getting here, I am getting the impression that I might have a problem with oil not draining back into pan quickly enough and filling up the valve cover. May need to pull everything back apart and check head gasket. Ican can blow through the pcv but I can't suck it back through.

I rebuilt just about everything. New pistons, rings, bearings, a rebuilt head and all new seals and gaskets. As for the white smoke, it is not condensation, I have oil dripping out my tailpipe and oil pooling on top of the carb. After talking to a few people and all the help that I'm getting here, I am getting the impression that I might have a problem with oil not draining back into pan quickly enough and filling up the valve cover. May need to pull everything back apart and check head gasket. Ican can blow through the pcv but I can't suck it back through.

Incorrect, oil does not burn white, it burns blue.

You have normal condensation or a coolant leak.

with oil in the carb and dripping from the tailpipe the most likely cause is what was discussed in the link you were given right off the bat. If you did not compare the new head gasket to the old then you probably missed the fact that the manufacturer failed to open the oil return hole. Seems a simple thing that they would have all the correct holes opened that need to be, but I bet any shops that buy from them are sure to compare the 2 and open any missing holes with a drill. Based on the postings I have read this is a common problem when replacing the head gasket on a metro and should be a simple fix, once you get the head off that is.

Good Luck,
let us know how it turns out,
MMM

Or there is coolant dumping into the oil and raising the oil level up to a high enough level that it is being sucked up the PCV line.

I hope this will help you. I assume you have a 3 cyl. It's been 6 months since I rebuilt mine and I had the same problem. I couldn't go over 55 without leaving a 007 smoke screen behind me.(very embarassing) Someone posted about the head gasket, I have suspected that also, since it didn't do it until I rebuilt it. After about 8 different failed modifications to the pcv system I found a way to stop it. My theory is that the blowby from the pistons has to make it to the valve cover to complete the pcv circuit, but there is'nt space for the oil to drain back to the crankcase and the blowby to come up so the oil stays in the valve cover and spits into the pcv valve and air cleaner, hence the gasket must have a hole missing or hole too small. I wished I had matched the gaskets thoroughly now. One guy posted about making an accumulator can, I tried it but it just filled up with oil, lucky I checked my oil it was 2 quarts low in 3 days. I don't blame him, I was willing to try anything. It was a good idea. Anyway this may sound like a stupid fix but it works. While the engine is idleing pull the dip stick out and you will probably hear a momentary hiss. Its the blowby building up pressure in the crankcase and not being able to make it the the valve cover because the oil is trying to drain down. So find a spot under the hood to secure your dipstick, slip a piece of 1/2" hose over the dipstick tube and point it down. You don't have to put a hose on it, but it would help to keep dirt out. I stuck mine into a pocket on the fender well so I could monitor it for any oil coming out. It does'nt. Now take it for a spin and see if it worked. Post back so we can see the results. You and I aren't the only ones with this probem. If it works, spread the word. My car gets 50 mpg and I don't want to give it up. Good luck.