Smoke comes out of the engine!

doodad · #1 05-31-2006, 01:33 PM

well today l tried to install new valve covers.. it fit but there was a hole on valve cover and smoke was coming out of there and l installed the original back. and returned the valve covers to shop. the valve cover gasket was so loose and l am not sure if it is sitting completely under the valve cover but for somereasion when l drive and stop at a light, smoke comes from under the hood. l have no idea what is goin on.. do you guys think that smoke coming from valves? maybe the gasket is not sitting all the way and there is an open spot??

someone please help..

thanks..

wrightz28 · #2 05-31-2006, 02:08 PM

Is it a rubber or cork gasket?

S/B rubber as most engines now use, and it goes in a resession in the vavle cover for proper sealing.

doodad · #3 05-31-2006, 02:11 PM

that was blue, soft rubber gasket.. it was so hard to put under the valve cover and l dont know if it is sitting completely.. but now smoke comes out of the engine and l really dont like it.. well still drivable, l dont know what it is.. but l am sure l did something wrong with valve covers and thats why smoke is coming..

wrightz28 · #4 05-31-2006, 02:23 PM

Again, there is a lip in the valve cover that the gasket goes in to, that properly seals it to the cylinder head (provided there is no resedue from the old gasket either).

So simply to change the gasket you remove the cover, flip it over, pull out the old gasket, scrape the cylinder head of any old gasket, install the new gasket into the cover, flip it (cover) over and reinstall to the head.

doodad · #5 05-31-2006, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrightz28

Again, there is a lip in the valve cover that the gasket goes in to, that properly seals it to the cylinder head (provided there is no resedue from the old gasket either).

So simply to change the gasket you remove the cover, flip it over, pull out the old gasket, scrape the cylinder head of any old gasket, install the new gasket into the cover, flip it (cover) over and reinstall to the head.

man, l didnt even touch the heads.. l just removed the right VALVE COVER. and l wanted to put new one and it didnt fit and l put the old valve cover back.

l just figured out that oil is coming under the valve cover and hot engine burns the oil and makes smoke and bad smell.. l will need to remov the valve cover and adjust the valve cover gasket!

DAMN.. l shouldnt have even touched the valve covers..

79Bandit · #6 06-01-2006, 01:47 AM

are you using any kind of gasket sealer? to seal the gasket better?

ponchonutty · #7 06-01-2006, 08:36 AM

Never messed with these newer cars but when putting on covers on old cars I like to get some RTV sealant and apply a small bead of it on the cover then stick the gasket onto it. It'll hold the gasket enough until you get it where you need it.

Also, did you reuse the old gasket when you put the old cover back on? If so, that's probably the problem.

wrightz28 · #8 06-01-2006, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doodad

man, l didnt even touch the heads.. ..

Emm, not being a wise ass or anything, but what are the VALVE COVERS bolted to then?

You shouldn't use any sealer on these type of gaskets, they are thick rubber and 're usable'

Sure you didn't catch a plug wire inbetween the cover and surface, seen that a couple of times on 4th gens.

crank182 · #9 06-01-2006, 12:32 PM

Watch the engine when it warms up. You might have just got some oil on the exhaust that is burning off. If it's coming from the side of the engine below the heads thats probably all it is and it'll stop smoking once it burns off. Also like was said above you can re-use the old rubber seal and don't need any sealer or anything as long as it isn't cracked or broken but they are pretty cheap and since the valve covers are off you might as well replace the seals anyway. If the valve cover isn't sealed right it will leak oil and it'll end up on the exhaust causing a lot of smoke. I know the valve covers can be a pain but once it's in place you can lift it up and feel around the bottom to make sure the seal is in place. Hope this helps.

doodad · #10 06-01-2006, 02:03 PM

thanks for the comments..

yes l can use old gasket because it is great shape.. when l get home l will update photos today.

wrightz28: when l said l didnt even touch the heads, l meant l didnt unbolt the heads or removed them..

l figured the problem out.. oil is coming under the valve cover and spill on the exhaust and makes smoke and smell.. this is not a break down.. just my mistake.. l will get it fixed today.. l will use glue to make gasket stick smoothly and l will put the valve cover back on..

and l need to fix that damn A/C right away or l am gonna be grilled in that car!

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