K20

Hey everyone, I have just finished taking on the task of replacing my intake AP1 valve retainers/keepers with OEM AP2 retainers/keepers. Started the car this morning and about 30 seconds in, white smoke (smells like burning engine oil?) started seeping out of the exhaust side of the valve cover. Kept the car running for another 30 seconds or so to see if it would stop but it kept getting worse so I shut her off. I removed the valve cover, cams, and even rocker arms to check and I notice quite a bit of oil pooling near the exhaust side of cylinder 3 and 4.

Any ideas on what is causing the smoke? There was definitely zero signs of smoking before the retainers were changed so I would be surprised if the cause of this to be due to anything below the cylinder head. Currently, I am thinking perhaps leaking valve seals. I'll try to take some pics of the valve seals when I get a chance....

-Thanks again

starchland

Did you use a new VC gasket? Oriented properly?

K20

starchland

HawkeyeGeoff

You pinched your VCG.

Car Analogy

Smoke is coming out of the valve cover gasket area???

Is it oil seeping out, or literally just smoke?

Are you sure its not just smoke coming off the exhaust from spilled oil during the work?

ThreeD

This...or aerokroil/pb blaster/pick your penetrating oil that you may have used while working on it?

K20

There is smoke and oil seeping out. 30 seconds in after I start the motor, the smoke starts coming out and then it literally looks like a humidifier if I keep the car running. If it was excess spilt oil I would expect it to burn off then taper off but the motor keeps puffing. I did not use any PB blaster/penetrating oil at all.

This is where the oil is seeping out of as well as the smoke only after 30seconds to a minute after starting car. (exhaust side near cylinder 4) I wiped this clean before starting the motor and I swear the cover is on snug with no issues of tearing of the gasket

K20

Thats a very valid point actually. Since I would expect that with worn stem seals the smoke should come out of the tailpipe of the car and not the cylinder head. I just can't think of other reasons that would cause smoke and oil leakage (besides valve cover not on correctly which I am certain it is as there is no wobble/play and gasket is new)...

flanders

Take the valve cover off again and inspect gasket, wipe off any oil that's been leaking down on the manifold.
Lots of brake cleaner is probably a good idea as well.
When you put the valve cover back on be very careful and make sure it goes on straight, tighten the bolts in a star pattern in 3-4 steps.