smokey engine at idle - pinto 2.0l petrol - mk3

[rik007]

hi, i've got a 1998 E reg 2.0L petrol 5speed mk3.... recently its started smoking very badly out the back end when its on tick over. on the road at speed its fine but when i get to some lights or a queue of traffic a grey cloud appears behind the van, looks a bit nasty.

can anyone tell me if this something other than a very expensive engien replacement? i have started to look at recon engines, so if anyone has a good contact or web link for a new engine that would be really helpful.

the engine has done 116k but still runs just fine, did a quick compression test the other day and the 4 cylinders are all about 125psi.

cheers rich

[AndyG]

Fit new valve stem oil seals
Defo no need for an engine

[minimadmatt1975]

I was thinking valve stem oil seals but you say the cloud is grey not blue. Valve stem seals normally cause blue smoke at cold start but unless valve guides badly worn stops. Does it use much oil? If not maybe just running rich at idle. Sticking vv autochoke perhaps.

[rik007]

Well it looks grey but I have to admit it could be a blueish colour and hence be oil burning

it's running a weber ich34 single carb which has been cleaned so don't think it's that

the head was off and skimmed last winter and had valves lapped in

hmmm could be valve guides / seals have got to take the rocker cover off anyway as it's seeping a little oil blasted thing can never get it oil tight grrrrr

not sur about oil consumption it's always been very light on oil usage but will check the level again as just back from france

cheer for the help gents

rich

[AlanN]

If its been skimmed and valves lapped in then it surely must of had stem seals done, their too cheap not to do while in bits

[darkbluevanman]

I was thinking valve stem oil seals but you say the cloud is grey not blue. Valve stem seals normally cause blue smoke at cold start but unless valve guides badly worn stops. Does it use much oil? If not maybe just running rich at idle. Sticking vv autochoke perhaps.

Agree, stem seals are a cold start thing, maybe failed h/gasket... not that common on't pinto!

[rik007]

Yup am sure I repalced the seals when I had the head skimmed. I lapped the valves in and remember taking off the old ones which seemed as though they had hardened over time.

It could be the head gasket again I guess, assume it will just keep getting worse as the gasket gives up the ghost.

Curiously I had the head skimmed winter before last as the engine got cooked in the previous summer in the alps. Engineer reckoned it warped then as it did get very hot. Then later i'm the year it split between no2& no3 cylinders. I'd sure be anoyed if it has gone again. I guess I'll see if it starts using oil.

Out of interest anyone know if I can put a more powerful engine in without much trouble? Am a bit fed up with the low powered pinto, so it might be time to put a bigger lump in it

thanks again for the ideas and advice!

Rich

[AlanN]

I suppose the easy option would be a turbo diesel, if you have a donor van with sound proofing... V6 Cologne would give some fun back on the road, but a little heavy on fuel, fine when driving nicely, but the needle moves when you warp drive mind you, pinto's arent that great on fuel...

[johny transit]

Surely a 2 litre dohc would be the way forward if you intend to replace the engine? Much more power, better economy and prolly more readily available than another pinto? Don't go for a diesel they are SO noisy!

[minimadmatt1975]

If you know the stem seals have been done but the smoke is blueish go down halfords and buy something called pistonseal. Its like a tube of toothpaste with a nozzle on the end and you squeeze it into each cylinder by removing the plugs. Do 1 cylinder at a time and run the engine before doing the next. It will smoke like mad for a couple of miles but somehow helps the oil control rings regain their seal. Used it years ago on an old cavalier that would burn 1 litre of oil to every £10 petrol. It cured it and i sold it six months later. Its rekoned to last about 10k miles so although not a permanent solution will give you time to plan your upgrade engine.

[rik007]

thats a great suggestion... will look out for the stuff as halfords is farily easy to get to after work.

its a real odd one, the oil stick is on the top marker at the moment so cant really say its burning oil but i need to do a few more miles to see if its drinking the stuff i.e oil.

thanks again

rich

[darkbluevanman]

Surely a 2 litre dohc would be the way forward if you intend to replace the engine? Much more power, better economy and prolly more readily available than another pinto? Don't go for a diesel they are SO noisy!

I plumb for a 2.0ltr zetec, like a kit car RWD fitment, the old twink not got much more power!

[darkbluevanman]

Also if you had a double failure, you either a) haven't done it properly (or used kack gaskets!) or B) there's some block damage (have top of block skimmed!)

I once had a rad bust on a inj pinto estate, lost water on motorway, temp went up (only noticed problem as is started pinking!) pulled of, let it cool, drove have a mile for water, nipped core with pliers, added 2 rad welds and water, drove to destination and back with expansion cap loose (was loosing water slowly!)...
Fitted new rad, ran like a dream.... Hail pinto

[rik007]

hi thanks to every one for suggestions re engines, much appreciated.

i called three engine recon companies yesterday, they are all charging about £800+vat for a recon of my engine.

interesingly one of the chaps i called said the use pintos alot for the racing engines they make, he seems pretty well gen'ed up on the pinto as i assume it was it one time a very common engine in ford cars and vans. he reckoned it sounded like the valve stem seals as has already been suggested. so i'll take the old tranny down to him and they reckon they can tell what the problem is likeky to be. great news if its just the seals leaking, but i am guessing it's another removal of the head, plus new head gasket and bolts just to change the stem seals? unless there is some other magic way of getting the valve springs off; which would be excellent news as i'm getting fed up with hours spent under the bonnet.

there again it might be a much better option to find a replacement engine as suggested!! now i'd be up for that as i'd get a win for the effort put in. but would it match the garbox. or does it need engine and gearbox. what about the ratios in the box to drive the rear wheels correclty. hmmm i can see i'll have to do some research here!!

cheers gents,

rich.

[minimadmatt1975]

Could this be the answer
http://www.gumtree.com/london/79/57363279.html