Anyone have advice on repairs?

MRH · 08-26-2009, 02:07 AM

This is a seemingly stupid question. but I figure I would get other peoples take.

Problem:
I have smoke on start up (most common after my car has been sitting for a while.)

Cause:
Valve stem seals (Aged or faulty.)

Answer:
Replace valve stem seals.

Action:

1: Remove the head, replace any wearing parts, replace head gasket.
*trade off, the bottom end of my engine would be tired, and my top end would be peppy and ready for action. (potential problem down the road?)

2: Replace the valve stem seals while head is installed. (but would the cams fall into the chamber? is there a way to do that without having to take off the head?)
*trade off, all over tired but happy engine, ready for some more street time.

3: Engine Swap, won't have to worry about that much to do on the engine.
*trade off, need to recover cash in the pocket after doing a swap.

thanks guys/girls!

-H

mrjimmyx · 08-26-2009, 01:37 PM

I'd swap. but If you can find a good head, just slap it on your old 5s? and you should be good. I'd take off the head to be on the safe side. No matter how gifted you are, you'll drop something.

Gairloch · 08-26-2009, 03:27 PM

Aside from being obnoxious that really isn't hurting anything. I definitely wouldn't pull an engine part to solve this problem.

Indysw20 · 08-26-2009, 03:38 PM

Yeah when i first got my car i was like OMG i didn't hit the smoke screen button again did i? Besides being a lil bit embarrassing and stinky that is the only down side. My advice is to just check your oil once a week or so i've only had to add a little bit. One thing that i have noticed is that no one suggests along with this problem is to clean the throttle body since you have all the oil being burned the oil smoke gunk gets up in there and starts to gunk everything up. I cleaned mine up, in turn the cars throttle response was better as well. With the car burning oil like that too it could damage the cat as well. Run it drive it have fun enjoy figure out what engine swap you want to do get the engine at your house build it up and have it ready to go so when the car or you decide it is time to have a new engine you are good to go.

grizzy225 · 08-26-2009, 05:10 PM

If your going to replace the valve stem seals head needs to come off, only thing you can do with it together is anything on top of the head (springs, retainers, cams, cam gears)

If your going to do them make sure you do it right or have a shop do it. Never fun to get done with a blood sweat and tears type job and have it not running properly or leaking. GL!

-Steve

Indysw20 · 08-26-2009, 05:26 PM

Keep in mind the cost of a replacement engine vs working on yours. It is much easier to do things with the engine out of the car.

MRH · 08-26-2009, 05:42 PM

Thank you guys sooo much for the input. Would it be a better option to stick with it like this for another 20/40 thousand miles more and pocket the money for a swap, and then solve it that way?

Again, thanks peeps!

-H

Indysw20 · 08-26-2009, 06:42 PM

You are free to do as you like. I would say when you look at the cost of returning things to factory spec on your current engine in your car things can get expensive quick. Depending on what engine you put in your car it can be as little as $500 to as much as you would like to spend. There are always turbo options, V6's, or stock replacement. It really all depends on what you are after which is why this site is so good since you can learn from the failures and triumphs of others and everyone is pretty helpful.

David · 08-26-2009, 07:34 PM

Everything is a trade off.

Indysw20 · 08-27-2009, 01:58 PM

amen to that

08-26-2009, 02:07 AM	#1 (permalink)
MRH 5SF-TorquE Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Middle TN Posts: 447 Thanks: 50 Thanked 10 Times in 10 Posts iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	Anyone have advice on repairs? This is a seemingly stupid question. but I figure I would get other peoples take. Problem: I have smoke on start up (most common after my car has been sitting for a while.) Cause: Valve stem seals (Aged or faulty.) Answer: Replace valve stem seals. Action: 1: Remove the head, replace any wearing parts, replace head gasket. trade off, the bottom end of my engine would be tired, and my top end would be peppy and ready for action. (potential problem down the road?) 2: Replace the valve stem seals while head is installed. (but would the cams fall into the chamber? is there a way to do that without having to take off the head?) trade off, all over tired but happy engine, ready for some more street time. 3: Engine Swap, won't have to worry about that much to do on the engine. *trade off, need to recover cash in the pocket after doing a swap. thanks guys/girls! -H

08-26-2009, 03:27 PM	#3 (permalink)
Gairloch Dreaming of apexes Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 4,854 Thanks: 125 Thanked 258 Times in 228 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (7/100% )	Aside from being obnoxious that really isn't hurting anything. I definitely wouldn't pull an engine part to solve this problem. __________________ "Inside the car, the world beyond the driver's immediate horizon ceases to exist. Alone with the solitude of his desire, survival sense numbed by the speed, he's outrun the mediocrity of the outside world, slipped the shackles it tries to clamp on us all. He is running free, chased only by a fear of failure, for failure is to risk ejection into the real world." ~Mark Hughes

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08-26-2009, 01:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
mrjimmyx Cage Fighter Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 192 Thanks: 3 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	I'd swap. but If you can find a good head, just slap it on your old 5s? and you should be good. I'd take off the head to be on the safe side. No matter how gifted you are, you'll drop something.

08-26-2009, 03:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
Indysw20 Noob for now Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 53 Thanks: 8 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Yeah when i first got my car i was like OMG i didn't hit the smoke screen button again did i? Besides being a lil bit embarrassing and stinky that is the only down side. My advice is to just check your oil once a week or so i've only had to add a little bit. One thing that i have noticed is that no one suggests along with this problem is to clean the throttle body since you have all the oil being burned the oil smoke gunk gets up in there and starts to gunk everything up. I cleaned mine up, in turn the cars throttle response was better as well. With the car burning oil like that too it could damage the cat as well. Run it drive it have fun enjoy figure out what engine swap you want to do get the engine at your house build it up and have it ready to go so when the car or you decide it is time to have a new engine you are good to go.

08-26-2009, 05:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
grizzy225 Cage Fighter Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: CT Posts: 355 Thanks: 44 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	If your going to replace the valve stem seals head needs to come off, only thing you can do with it together is anything on top of the head (springs, retainers, cams, cam gears) If your going to do them make sure you do it right or have a shop do it. Never fun to get done with a blood sweat and tears type job and have it not running properly or leaking. GL! -Steve

08-26-2009, 05:26 PM	#6 (permalink)
Indysw20 Noob for now Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 53 Thanks: 8 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Keep in mind the cost of a replacement engine vs working on yours. It is much easier to do things with the engine out of the car.

08-26-2009, 05:42 PM	#7 (permalink)
MRH 5SF-TorquE Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Middle TN Posts: 447 Thanks: 50 Thanked 10 Times in 10 Posts iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	Thank you guys sooo much for the input. Would it be a better option to stick with it like this for another 20/40 thousand miles more and pocket the money for a swap, and then solve it that way? Again, thanks peeps! -H

08-26-2009, 06:42 PM	#8 (permalink)
Indysw20 Noob for now Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 53 Thanks: 8 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	You are free to do as you like. I would say when you look at the cost of returning things to factory spec on your current engine in your car things can get expensive quick. Depending on what engine you put in your car it can be as little as $500 to as much as you would like to spend. There are always turbo options, V6's, or stock replacement. It really all depends on what you are after which is why this site is so good since you can learn from the failures and triumphs of others and everyone is pretty helpful.

08-26-2009, 07:34 PM	#9 (permalink)
David Take a picture trick! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Tampa, Fl. Posts: 1,301 Thanks: 111 Thanked 25 Times in 25 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (4/100% )	Everything is a trade off.

08-27-2009, 01:58 PM	#10 (permalink)
Indysw20 Noob for now Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 53 Thanks: 8 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	amen to that