Smoking engine - problem or not?
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: London
Smoking engine - problem or not?
I've posted this on a different area and thought that perhaps this is more appropriate, so please excuse any duplication!
A few days ago, whilst giving my S2000 a spanking, a lot of smoke came out of the exhaust. I pulled over to investigate but everything seemed to be in order.
The car was very warm and had been driven hard for about an hour before hand. At the time the smoke came from the rear I was at about 8,000 in 2nd. I spoke to the person behind me who said the smoke definitely came from inside the exhaust pipes, it was definitely oil (as he inhaled most of it) and the volume of smoke was so great he could hardly see for about 3 seconds. The oil level was checked in the morning and was fine and post-event and is fine.
Since then the car hasn't given any indication of a problem (ie. engine works esactly as you'd expect).
I've had 2 suggestions of this so far; one is under some circumstances, a bit too much oil gets on the valve train, some makes it's way through the PCV valve, into the intake manifold so it's burnt off. And the other is through someone who ran a series in the US called "The S2000 Challenge" who said that they all do it to a greater or lesser degree.
For my own peace of mind, I'm trying to understand, technically what did actually happen.
Any advice appreciated,
Thanks
Ben
Other relevant details :
Car is a stock UK June 2003 model on 5,500 miles. It has no modifications. Oil levels (checked before and after) are ok. Car often gets driven hard but never seen this before.
A few days ago, whilst giving my S2000 a spanking, a lot of smoke came out of the exhaust. I pulled over to investigate but everything seemed to be in order.
The car was very warm and had been driven hard for about an hour before hand. At the time the smoke came from the rear I was at about 8,000 in 2nd. I spoke to the person behind me who said the smoke definitely came from inside the exhaust pipes, it was definitely oil (as he inhaled most of it) and the volume of smoke was so great he could hardly see for about 3 seconds. The oil level was checked in the morning and was fine and post-event and is fine.
Since then the car hasn't given any indication of a problem (ie. engine works esactly as you'd expect).
I've had 2 suggestions of this so far; one is under some circumstances, a bit too much oil gets on the valve train, some makes it's way through the PCV valve, into the intake manifold so it's burnt off. And the other is through someone who ran a series in the US called "The S2000 Challenge" who said that they all do it to a greater or lesser degree.
For my own peace of mind, I'm trying to understand, technically what did actually happen.
Any advice appreciated,
Thanks
Ben
Other relevant details :
Car is a stock UK June 2003 model on 5,500 miles. It has no modifications. Oil levels (checked before and after) are ok. Car often gets driven hard but never seen this before.
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 9,210
Likes: 7
From: WA
Hard right turns after heavy deceleration can cause enough oil burn (especially if the oil level is a bit high) to cause quite a bit of smoking. No damage done, the speculation is that it is sucked through the PVC under those conditions.
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,467
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From: Davie, FL
This is not unusual. In addition to the PCV valve, there's a second non-valved breathing tube from the valve cover to the intake (near the front of the engine) that could be responsible for smoking in hard right handers.
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