Oil Smoke through the Heater

[domtoni]

Guys,

Oil smoke is coming up from the drivers side (LHD) heat exchangers.

A few years back I had the tubes replaced (at least two of the three) and the gaskets replaced on my cam covers. If the problem is not one of these two, I am not sure if the motor has to come apart to fix the leak, which is no small cost.

Does anyone make a cover that fits between the heat exchanger and the cam covers which will prevent the oil from coming into the cabin via the exchanger?

Best
Dom

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

I thought I remembered something called Heet Sheet, or something of the sort, that is a stainless-steel (I think) shield that goes above the exhaust and below the cam covers to block some heat radiation. Googling Heet Sheet does no good, though...

[efhughes3]

I think Seine or Rennline may be a source for Heet Sheet, but I don't think that will necessarily help. A leak onto the hot exhaust system will result in the perfume many of us experience.

[domtoni]

Thanks guys for the comments. Rennline don't do anything, and can't find Seine.

The oil smoke is pretty heavy and has fogged the windshield. I thought the oil would just burn off and then it would be OK.

But over the winter the smoke has gotten worse. I'll know more next thursday when the car goes in for a quick wheel bearing inspection.

Best
Dom

[sballard]

The oil smoke may be coming directly into the flapper boxes rather than into heat exchangers. I had this problem. A few times the cabin looked something like a James Bond movie with smoke so thick I could hardly see out. In my case, my car is a '72 with the oil console inside the engine compartment just over the right rear fender. It had a small leak and when I braked a small amount of oil would spill onto the hot exhaust and get sucked into the flapper boxes. Have you tried to close the flappers and see if this reduces the smoke?

[domtoni]

Just looked and the left side heat exchanger has oil on it, and there are some oil spots on the garage floor. Most likely it is a leaky lower cam cover.

Dom

[Gogar]

On the left, it could be lots of things. The hard oil line and adapter in the front of the case, both valve covers, oil return tubes, and on and on. Your best bet without just throwing a lot of money at it is to get under the car and clean the engine as best you can, with it reasonably clean you have a better shot at finding out where the leak, I mean leaks, are.

[domtoni]

Covers and return tubes are not the problem.

As noted, leaks are part of the program.

[Flat6pac]

Porsche 911, if its got oil in it, it has oil on it
Bruce

[azasadny]

Helga does the same thing. In my case, the oil return tubes leak oil onto the heat exchangers, which burns the oil and then deposits it on the windshield when I turn the heater on. When I replace the heat exchangers, I'll also replace the oil return tubes and clean everything out, but that will have to wait...

[domtoni]

The return tubes on my car are only a few years old. Actually the engine could use a rebuild but at 71000 miles, I am not going to spend the money. Just try and keep the heat exchangers clean.

Thanks for all the comments.

[dshepp806]

Gotta' look at all top side leakage areas,..eliminate, one by one.


All kinds of stuff can head downwards toward the HE's.

What's NOT leaking?

Doyle

[sailchef]

Originally Posted by dshepp806

Gotta' look at all top side leakage areas,..eliminate, one by one.


All kinds of stuff can head downwards toward the HE's.

What's NOT leaking?

Doyle

I would start with the oil thermostat o-ring, crankcase breather gasket, crankcase breather hose clamps, the oil pressure switch, and the 3 seals in the oil cooler. Theese are the big culprits that no-one gets to very often, and they all flow down hill.

If you are able to pull the engine you'll have easy access to them all.

[domtoni]

I talked to the guy with the ramp and the car is leaking at the cylinder head, and not at these points.

Thanks for all the comments.

Dom