Smoke from Engine

[fkassim]

I checked my oil today after changing my spark plugs and air filter and I noticed that it was 2 litres low. So I added oil until the appropriate level on the dip stick then started the car. I noticed slight smoke coming out from below the spider (dont know what that area is called). Not sure if there's a breather coming out there. But it seems to be slightly oily. I did not spill any oil...that I am sure of. I also noticed that when I first bought the car. Anyone know what that could be ? The engine also makes a whistle like noise from the engine compartment a few minutes after starting. If you rev. it up to 1100 rpm or above the noise goes away. Drop it down and it reappears...HELP...

[Danglerb]

Oil gets into the breather system, hoses don't like it and swell up and get soft. Look for a vacuum leak as the source of both the whistle and the oil.

[fkassim]

The oil is in the valley. There is somewhat of a small puddle of oil there. Does that mean the sound is coming from the air/oil seperator or from the breather that is right behind or below. Shoud the seperator have a filter or something inside or simply empty. When I filled oil yesterday I openned the cover and it looked like there should be something in there....

[Danglerb]

Look for a hose split or disconnected.

The oil fill should have a "strainer" in it, a canister shaped screen thing.

Item 30a
Image C/O DC Automotive.

[fkassim]

Awesome...thanks ever so much for the diagram Danglerb Being new at this when I bought the car from the guy I thought the problem was from part # 30. I thought it was 2 hoses fit together and that was where the oil might be coming from...I guess I'm wrong. Should I remove everything on top of the valley and work from there ?

[Danglerb]

On my car I'm not sure where the oil came from, but there was a LOT suddenly all over the front. My suspicion is that it was from the seal at the base of the of the canister, fuzzy in this pict, but maybe its 39. To replace that seal I ended up pulling the whole intake and throttle body, so from there it was a no brainer to replace all the breather and vacuum hoses. I think thats the best way, replace it all. Its the only way to get the whole valley really clean.

[devilinblack]

For what it's worth I had no luck with the rubber O ring thing (39) I bought to seal the oil can. The PET drawing looks like a regular fiber gasket but Jim sold me the rubber thing and it just didn't seal right. Carl suggests sealing everything with black RTV when you install his baffle there so I did that and it's holding great. I also removed the whole intake, cleaned the valley (yuck) and replaced the rubber suspension doodads that hold the intake in place.

[MPDano]

I'm with Stephen. Yeah, upper engine is pretty much sealed with the Red RTV Sealant with the gaskets and O-rings. Not a drop of oil anywhere. Been using the Silicone Sealing Stuff for years now. It never let's me down. Just make sure you give it time to harden.

Here's a couple with Carls Oil Slinger thingy sealed with High Temp Red RTV.

[MPDano]

...and here's a pic of the Crossover sealed with RTV. Keep in mind, I still used the stock gaskets, but didn't trust their total sealing abilities.

[rjm65]

Part #30, the oil separator, uses gasket (should be 29 in the above drawing) part #928 107 707 04


Probably not hot enough to get oil underneath the spider to smoke, so I'd say check hose #39 (runs from the oil separator to the airbox) and hose #43.

We all know how much oil makes it's way into the airbox on a stock setup through hose #39, and if you've ever started your engine up with the airbox lid off, you'd see smoke coming out of hose #39.

[Danglerb]

No permatex or rtv on mine, and its sealed. I think careful torque on the two bolts is maybe critical.

[fkassim]

Thanks for all the feedback guys...its been extremely informative. I'm going in for a timing belt change tomorrow so I'll check around the hoses and see whats going on...

[devilinblack]

That gasket that rjm65 posted is what I was expecting but not what I got. Oh well, the RTV seems to be working fine.

[MPDano]

If you use Carls Oil Slinger Thingabop. You'll need 2. I can't remember if he sent me those. I do remember he sent the wrong bolts as they will be longer with the new added plate.

[devilinblack]

Yeah, I got the wrong bolts as well, way too long but the stock ones still worked fine. He doesn't include the gaskets in his kit and when questioned about it in the thread where he introduced it he suggested the RTV. Good enough for me.

[Danglerb]

I've heard of something called the "right stuff"? Never used it though.