How much smoke is too much smoke?

[wparslow]

Hi all. This is my first post on the Things in Common forum. I have a Plus 2S 130/5, it has had a lot of work done recently by Paul Mattys particularly on the head, which, while they were doing work on it to stem oil smoke (they suspected the valve guides) fitted a hotter cam, hardened valve seats, etc.

As the car was not producing anything like enough pwer the car has been back, tweaked and now shows 131bhp on the dyno, but it's still smoking just as much as it was before the operation, and in exaactly the same circumstances. It is at its most noticable when pulling away, like after a minute or so's idling at traffic lights or in a traffic jam, when it leaves a cloud of blue smoke behind - this is the only time it is noticable. Is this normal or is it something to worry about?

Many thanks for your esteemed advice.

Wayne

[berni29]

Hi

I used to avoid starting mine if I had been into the shops for a few minutes and there was a wonam with a child walking past. Other than that it never worried me tooooo much. My current plus 2 never smoked until the head gasket blew, and when I examined the guides they seemed pretty loose (see prev posts). By rights it should have smoked a lot.

I wonder what will happen once the head is back on. I am tempted to leave the guides as they are! Sleeping dogs lie and all that.

Berni

[1964 S1]

My S1, Webers, smokes exactly as you traffic light described it, in warmer seasons. Very Embarrassing unless I'm lined up in front of any SUV. Winter time, almost no smoke. My Stromberged '69 +2, I've never seen it smoke . Cars running rich on gas can smoke white, and, the gas can get into the oil, thinning it and helping it drain down the guides at idle. What carbs do you have?

[reb53]

I know it doesn't help but I'm reminded of the immortal words of Colin Chapman when he was asked by a journalist why the road-test Lotus was using so much oil.

"Of course it uses oil.....what do you think is lubricating it?"
(As though it was the most stupid comment he'd heard all day.)

You can see why he went so far!

Ralph.

[wparslow]

Temperature around freezing point here in the London area, car still smokes on take off, but only when fully warmed up and particularly after a motorway run.

[1964 S1]

....valve seals? what valve seals? How do we begin the library? I believe Keith has answered, supplied drawings, and solved this problem. ...but where to find it....

[wparslow]

Just to keep you all in the loop we're going for a bottom end rebuild - top's already bveen done and the conlusion is ring wear so, new engine shortly.

W