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smoke, overfilling, and T-stat -oil cooler?

Can't figure this out.

Engine does not smoke until hot. Then it smokes like hell. Hot is when needle is in second hash mark up (8:30 position). Car doesn't get any hotter even if I flog it for an hour in our mild climate on west coast of BC. The oil lines to the cooler inside the front right fender don't ever get hot to the touch, suggesting the thermostat to the oil cooler isnt opening (why should it if the car is not getting hot?). Dipstick (hot as the car gets, level ground, engine running) says 2/3 up between low and high marks. So but for T-stat issue, it seems overfilled. What is the impact of the oil cooler on the oil level?

Thanks for your help...
SMS

Old 10-04-2012, 04:38 PM
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ROW '78 911 Targa
 
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What is smoking? Oil Leaks hitting pipes or burning through the motor and coming out the exhaust. Old leaks sitting in heat exchangers?
Year and type of car?
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Old 10-04-2012, 05:28 PM
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As above...where is the smoke coming from?

Have you access to a hand held pyrometer? Good to verify temps....trust gauges but check with an outside device when the facts make you scratch your head...
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Old 10-04-2012, 05:31 PM
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Good questions!

87 3.2 80,000m. Well treated and maintained by previous three owners. SW chip, Cat bypass otherwise stock. Smoking burning oil from exhaust pipe. As above only when warm. No pyro nearby.
Appreciate your help.

Thx.
SMS
Old 10-04-2012, 06:05 PM
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Any oil drips under the car after you park?
Old 10-04-2012, 06:31 PM
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Dry garage floor

no oil drips.
Smokes from exhaust (burning oil)
when should oil cooler thermostat open? What if it does not and engine still cool enough?
What happens to oil level on dipstick if T-stat not open?
Old 10-04-2012, 07:21 PM
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Thermostat open or closed should not have an effect on the engine consuming oil.
If you have engine up to normal operating temp and the level is correct there's nothing to cause the oil to burn.
Sounds like when the valves get hot, the guides and seals leak oil and that is what is burning. Apparently common on a 3.2.
How many miles before you have to add a litre?
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Last edited by timmy2; 10-04-2012 at 09:25 PM..
Old 10-04-2012, 07:35 PM
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don't know yet. Only had it for two tanks of gas so far.
Dipstick at temp - at least the temp I can get (though as indicated above, no opening of thermostat to oil cooler) is more than half way between marks. Just took out 1 litre (more or less quart). We'll see how that does.
Old 10-04-2012, 08:35 PM
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Doesn't sound like it's running hot. The pipes are cool because the temp is not high enough for the thermostat to open. no problem there.

3.2 with 80k miles smoking from the exhaust pipe is screaming "worn valve guides"
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Old 10-04-2012, 08:54 PM
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If you've taken a sharp turn or steep driveway of late and the engine was warm....oil MAY get sucked into the intake. It will burn off if it did.

A compression and/or leak-down will give you some input.

Low numbers and an intro of oil into the cylinders on a subsequent will tell you what is worn. Numbers go up? Rings, stay the same? Valves....

EDIT: What weight oil are you running? Syn or Dino?
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Last edited by Joe Bob; 10-04-2012 at 10:03 PM..
Old 10-04-2012, 09:37 PM
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Hey Chuck: Would that still apply if there is no smoke at all until the engine is hot?
Old 10-04-2012, 09:46 PM
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up to temp, I mean.
SMS
Old 10-04-2012, 09:46 PM
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Pasophisto,
I know you don't want it to be worn valve guides but I can see you've posted a couple of threads on this issue before and received some very good advice so far.
Maybe it's time to drop the motor and get the guides done?

spark plug diagnosis?
3.2 valve guide wear worries (a bit long)
Help! Smoke!
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Euro 1978 SC Targa, SSI's, Dansk 2/1, PMO ITBs, Electric A/C
Need a New Wiring Harness? PM or e-mail me. Search for "harnesses" in the classifieds.
Old 10-04-2012, 10:00 PM
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If it's overfilled, it will smoke when hot. Look in the intake box to see if oil is getting sucked in.

-Andy
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Old 10-06-2012, 07:49 PM
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So Happy!

Well, a tank of fuel and some fun driving after removing a litre and three quarters of oil from the sump tank and the smoking has completely stopped. She does not smoke on start up, does not smoke at temperature, and does not smoke- under load, off throttle from high RPM or at idle or free revving when hot. So I guess valve guides and seals are good and the whole of the problem was indeed the overfilled oil! Now, with the car level, completely up to temperature, and the engine running oil level indicates about 3/8" above the low level on the dip stick and there is no noticeable oil usage or reduction in the indicated oil level after about 400 miles. Very happy.
Thank you all for your patience and great advice. Quite an impressive knowledge base!
Cheers-
Sheldon
Guards red/black '87 3.2 sunroof coupe with Fuchs and a happy owner.

Old 11-03-2012, 03:09 PM
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