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I lent my 164 to someone today, and as they drove off I noticed puffs of blue smoke on the up-changes.
My 164 did this the day I bought it, and in the months since, I've had a couple of bottles of oil-seal-rejuvenator in the system. So, obviously that hasn't worked
I would like to fix this (puffs of smoke = embarrassing), but it's a matter of deciding how much else to fix at the same time. Here is a shortlist of jobs to do:
- Valve stem seals, heads removal required due to valves being deep in pockets and therefore not compressible with heads in place?
- Seals behind cam pulleys, cambelt and tensioner
- Possibly sump, rear main, or other oil leak onto exhaust pipe under engine
- Air conditioning compressor replacement
- Clutch very heavy, not nice around town. Ruled out the hydraulics already. No record of clutch ever being changed by previous two owners who were both good drivers, so probably near the end of its life now (I knew a Croma that did over 400,000km on its original clutch). Might even change the gearbox as well, since the gearchange has a strange metal-on-metal feel despite oil changes, I think the sliding hubs are simply worn-out. It doesn't crunch or whine, but the change quality is very notchy and seems to allow a 1-in-4-times selection of reverse, frustrating for three-point turns in the middle of the road!
It's getting to the point where I'm thinking it may be practical to remove complete engine/transmission/subframe from the car, particularly as I want to change the clutch and would like to clean up the engine bay properly as well, replace fuel pipes, air conditioning hoses etc. I suspect that with suspension disconnected (oh, that needs new bushes too), the whole subframe will unbolt and be left behind as I raise the bodyshell. I have a garage that I can dedicate to the rebuilding process, so it can be done over several months if necessary.
Drastic, but what do you think... Easier to get the heads off that way? Even the cam seals (a simple job) looked unduly fiddly with the engine in place and it just seems that with it out, those jobs will take half the time.
Should I take the engine completely to bits or leave pistons/liners in place? Engine has quite high mileage (235,000km) but seems to run great with no smoke on acceleration.
What parts do I need - and how much is a head gasket set worth? I've never tackled a V6 before. I imagine the head set(s) will be about all I need, plus maybe another seal or two. Or should I attempt to hone the bores/replace liner seals?
Alternatively would I be better off to remove heads with engine left in the car?
Sorry for the big questions but obviously, this is a project I would like to plan before I start. I've had so much fun driving the car in the few months since purchase that I haven't wanted to take it off the road for the clutch replacement etc. I spent very little when I bought the car, so I'm happy to spend on parts.
Thanks,
-Alex
My 164 did this the day I bought it, and in the months since, I've had a couple of bottles of oil-seal-rejuvenator in the system. So, obviously that hasn't worked
I would like to fix this (puffs of smoke = embarrassing), but it's a matter of deciding how much else to fix at the same time. Here is a shortlist of jobs to do:
- Valve stem seals, heads removal required due to valves being deep in pockets and therefore not compressible with heads in place?
- Seals behind cam pulleys, cambelt and tensioner
- Possibly sump, rear main, or other oil leak onto exhaust pipe under engine
- Air conditioning compressor replacement
- Clutch very heavy, not nice around town. Ruled out the hydraulics already. No record of clutch ever being changed by previous two owners who were both good drivers, so probably near the end of its life now (I knew a Croma that did over 400,000km on its original clutch). Might even change the gearbox as well, since the gearchange has a strange metal-on-metal feel despite oil changes, I think the sliding hubs are simply worn-out. It doesn't crunch or whine, but the change quality is very notchy and seems to allow a 1-in-4-times selection of reverse, frustrating for three-point turns in the middle of the road!
It's getting to the point where I'm thinking it may be practical to remove complete engine/transmission/subframe from the car, particularly as I want to change the clutch and would like to clean up the engine bay properly as well, replace fuel pipes, air conditioning hoses etc. I suspect that with suspension disconnected (oh, that needs new bushes too), the whole subframe will unbolt and be left behind as I raise the bodyshell. I have a garage that I can dedicate to the rebuilding process, so it can be done over several months if necessary.
Drastic, but what do you think... Easier to get the heads off that way? Even the cam seals (a simple job) looked unduly fiddly with the engine in place and it just seems that with it out, those jobs will take half the time.
Should I take the engine completely to bits or leave pistons/liners in place? Engine has quite high mileage (235,000km) but seems to run great with no smoke on acceleration.
What parts do I need - and how much is a head gasket set worth? I've never tackled a V6 before. I imagine the head set(s) will be about all I need, plus maybe another seal or two. Or should I attempt to hone the bores/replace liner seals?
Alternatively would I be better off to remove heads with engine left in the car?
Sorry for the big questions but obviously, this is a project I would like to plan before I start. I've had so much fun driving the car in the few months since purchase that I haven't wanted to take it off the road for the clutch replacement etc. I spent very little when I bought the car, so I'm happy to spend on parts.
Thanks,
-Alex