Hi,

It's an Octavia 2000 1.6 AEH Engine with 118,000 KM on the clock,

I have been experiencing some strange problems lately. When i first start the car in the morning it runs fine, but when it gets warm it starts so smoke slightly, when it's idling smokes a lot, specially when the engine is loaded (A/C on, lights, etc.), also there is a lot of oil in the intake manifold, behind the throttle body.

I'm using 15-w40 oil which is appropriate for my country. (Dominican Republic)

I did a compression test today and all the cylinders read between 140-150 PSI. Looks fine to me.

I'm thinking maybe the valve seals are gone.

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Thanks.

Jonathan.

Valve seals usually only show a bit of smoke on startup after the car has sat for a while and oil has leaked past the seals afaik.

My vectra used to do this and I had a compression test which was fine but it was down to a faulty oil seal on the piston... held compression fine but smoked a little.

I compression tested a 1.6 two weeks ago that had a misfire, it was near 180psi. That and your symptoms makes me think rings/worn out engine. As mentioned typically valve stem seals smoke a LOT more on startup and if you go down a hill with no throttle then floor it at the bottom, valve stem seals will then smoke out the car behind you. Piston rings are more 'even' with smoke and potentially the smoke when warm could be due to the thinning oil getting past the control rings.

Either way, it's going to be head off. Just to be sure manually disconnect the breather hoses and plug them to the inlet to ensure it's not the enine breathing oil via the CCV system due to faulty/plugged breather or excessive blow by. If you are still getting lots of smoke, time to pull the head or perhaps look for another engine as I doubt they are worth much.

Greg.

Hi,

It's an Octavia 2000 1.6 AEH Engine with 118,000 KM on the clock,

I have been experiencing some strange problems lately. When i first start the car in the morning it runs fine, but when it gets warm it starts so smoke slightly, when it's idling smokes a lot, specially when the engine is loaded (A/C on, lights, etc.), also there is a lot of oil in the intake manifold, behind the throttle body.

I'm using 15-w40 oil which is appropriate for my country. (Dominican Republic)

I did a compression test today and all the cylinders read between 140-150 PSI. Looks fine to me.

I'm thinking maybe the valve seals are gone.

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Thanks.

Jonathan.

I'd start by checking the crankcase beathing system's not blocked.

If it's not then I'd do a compression test. As others have said, valve stem seals normally only show up on startup or coming off over-run (unless they're really bad).

I'd start by checking the crankcase beathing system's not blocked.

If it's not then I'd do a compression test. As others have said, valve stem seals normally only show up on startup or coming off over-run (unless they're really bad).

Will do that and let you know the results.

Thanks.

I took off the intake manifold today and found out the No. 2 Cylinder has a LOT of oil burnt deposits.

It makes me think, could it may be that cylinder not having a good seal at the intake valve and that is causing the smoke, or i'm barking at the wrong tree.

Of course, assuming that the valve seals are blown.

Oh, i forgot to mention, i'm running on propane for almost 6 months now.

Do you mean the cylinder has a lot of oil in, or the intake port? If the port, quite possibly that valve stem seal/guide has failed. The LPG shouldn't be an issue unless it's running wrong, is it a gas sequential injection or at least an ECU controled closed loop with 02 sensor feedback?

Greg.

I took off the intake manifold today and found out the No. 2 Cylinder has a LOT of oil burnt deposits.

It makes me think, could it may be that cylinder not having a good seal at the intake valve and that is causing the smoke, or i'm barking at the wrong tree.

Of course, assuming that the valve seals are blown.

Oh, i forgot to mention, i'm running on propane for almost 6 months now.

Do you mean the cylinder has a lot of oil in, or the intake port? If the port, quite possibly that valve stem seal/guide has failed. The LPG shouldn't be an issue unless it's running wrong, is it a gas sequential injection or at least an ECU controled closed loop with 02 sensor feedback?

Greg.

Nope. It's old model venturi type.

The oil was in the intake port, also the intake manifold (plastic one) was damaged because of backfires. I just replaced it with the aluminum one from a 2.0 engine and it's running like charm now.

I think the next step is to take the head off and see what i find.

By the way, thank you all for the reply.

Oh dear.....

Nope. It's old model venturi type.