Blueish Smoke - signal for what?

My car just passed 2400 km and was just in the shop about a month ago.

I took her out for her state inspection this morning and was surprised at the amount of blueish smoke coming from the exhaust as she idled in the driveway. That was after a fifteen minute drive.

It's a 1600 with dual solex and was recently in for the following:

- Adjust all valves/Free adjusters
- Adjust Points
- Check Timing
- Replace Rocker Gaskets
- Adjust Carbs

Is the smoke a sign of something that I should be aware off? I know it's burning oil but where should I look first?

Thanks - Mel

Run a dry/wet compression test.
ed

One better . Do a cylinder leak down test on each cylinder. You will be able to tell if you have leaky valves,and or piston rings. Compression testing is old school and gives very general results.
Joe

Check you crankcase oil level too. It may be over filled.

Thanks Ed and Joe for your suggestions.

I didn't have much time last night, but decided to take her out for a short spin. I let her idle for about 5 min. before heading out. Nothing out of the ordinary as she idled. As soon as I drove out of the driveway, I looked like I was laying out a smoke screen. Lasted about 2 seconds and then nothing. I drove for about 4-5 miles without any noticeable puffs.

I'll look her over when I have the opportunity. In the meantime, a little garage time, till I have an answer.

Joe, Your car is looking awesome! Hope you have lots of room for awards.

- M

Mel, maybe it was an isolated incident due to the fact that the car had just been serviced; maybe some oil got into places it shouldn't have. Anyway, just keep your eyes open to see if it does it again.

If it were a small block Chevy, I'd saw that you needed new valve seals. In this case it sounds like your valve guides are letting a little oil drain past them, as the rest of the oil in the valve covers is draining down the push rod tubes and back into the crank case.

If a wet and dry compression test comes out well, it's the guides. Otherwise it's the rings. If you want to check the valves, after the compression test, pop off the rocker covers and rocker arm assembles and move the valve stem side to side, check for excessive play.

You'll know right away if you're in trouble.

With a VERY high compression motor AND an over filled crankcase, you COULD be forcing oil up into the combustion chamber if the block isn't vented properly, but you'd have oil coming out of every seam and gasket long before that happens.

Luck,

TC

He says it's a 1600 cc; I assume it's mostly stock.

Mel,
Usually smoke on initial startup is from worn valve guides.
The intake guides rarely wear out but the exhaust guides are ALWAYS worn. The oil runs down the guides into the combustion chamber.
There is no seal on the VW type 1 guides, (unless you consider the stock O ring on the valve stem that no-one ever replaces a seal)so you just live with it. If it doesn't smoke under normal driving conditions or drip excessive amounts of oil from blow-by,(they all drip somewhere) and doesn't use oil excessively, I wouldn't worry about it. ( A quart in 1000 mi might be considered excessive.)
If it is excessive, do a leak down test. If the leak down test is OK and you are still concerned about the smoke, get a valve job and have the guides (exhaust especially) replaced.
There are aftermarket seals you can install. Machinework is involved. I think the money is better spent on a crankcase breather system.
My 2 cents,
Greg B.
PS
Mel, If you're ever in the Phoenixville, Valley Forge, PA neighborhood, drop by. You don't live that far from me.