Is this normal? 1999 GP SE

I took the family to the Smokey Mountains last week and the GP took the mountains with a little resistance. It whinned with the RPM's of the motor and I checked the oil, power steering, and transmission fluids after a steep climb to find smoke rising out of the dipstick tube. All fluid levels were normal but I have noticed the car is using more oil than normal. I had chalked it up to leaky valve covers after I switched to a synthetic oil. I have subsequently switched back to regular oil but the damage may already be done.

Is this normal?

I don't see any oil covering any of the parts when I peer into the valve cover through the oil cap either.

I hope I gave enough info.

Thanks.

How is the coolant level?

The overflow tank was at normal levels. We had the system flushed and refilled a few seasons ago.

A little vapor from the dipstick tube after running it hard is normal. At higher loads and RPM, the oil is getting thrown around pretty violently. This will overcome the breather system's ability to disperse it and it will build up. If it did this after just a leisurely trip to the store, that's another matter.

That being said, how long has it been since the air filter, fuel filter and PCV valve were changed? Any of these being in need of replacement will cause excessive crankcase vapors to develop.

Air filter within last six months. Fuel filter and PVC probably two years or 10k miles.

Until recently we were using the GP as a back up car. It's now our main vehicle so I'm trying to keep it in good shape.

does this SE have the 3100 or 3800?? cuz if it has the 3100, its gonna be pretty normal for it to take the hills with some hesitation :lol: just kidding man...

as stated above, its pretty normal for the oil to "smoke" after higher RPM loads. as for the "whine" my GT makes a whining noise...sort of like a supercharger at higher RPM's. is this what you are reffering to?

also, when you say there was smoke coming out of the dipstick tube...was it the tranny dipstick, or oil dipstick??

The oil dipstick and it's a 3800.

I was wondering if the whine was a tell that the power steering pump was going.

well, it COULD be a power steering pump. of course an unusual whining noise could be many things. i guess if your worried about it, you could remove the serp. belt and drive it around or just start it real quick and see if it still does it. if it does, then you can try and narrow it down to what it could be

i know back in highschool i owned a 97 SE w/ the 3800, and it suddenly started making an unusual whining noise. i checked the power steering and such and found nothing. i thought it was the alternator. well...i was wrong. it ended up being the belt tentionor. one day it decided to explode, and let me tell you...it SUCKED :banghead: