I noticed a few little things which I have only noticed today.

 

First there is a ticking noise at idle. I will get a sound clip of this in a second. The ticking goes when I rev the engine.

 

Also, there is a lot of smoke coming from my exhausts.:cry:

 

Here is a video of my car smoking. Its strange as its not really blue/purple. Its more grey. I is pouring out of one side and then stops. Also when I rev the engine a little I get puffs of grey smoke out then. It also sounds like it is misfiring if you listen to the video.

 

Also at the end of the video is a ticking which has first occured today.

 

I think I am coming towards deep trouble here unless people can help out. It may be time to retire the girl if its big. :(

 

Stuart

Don't know about the smoke Stuart, but tapping sounds like tired tappets/hydraulic valve lifters, more annoying than owt else if this, but based on your mileage, will probably be due for changing, shouldn't think it'll be easy as nothing else is on the zed!!

 

Paul N:(

Tick tick I would say is a lifter,the smoke tells me it's starting to throw in the towel,she has done a lot of miles and it's time for a major rebuild me thinks:cry:

Matey - ticking will be a sticky lifter - when did you last change the oil - maybe worth considering an engine flush with the next change.

 

That doesnt look like smoke - it looks more like condensation due to the cold weather - it evaporates almost immidiately while smoke wont do that - it will wander off gently and will stink (unless it is doing that)

 

Could be a blocked pcv valve.

 

I'd keep an eye on it as it may just stop doing it. I wouldnt worry about it yet though.

it doesn't sound good :( personally I would get a mechanic to check it over and tell you whats wrong, the missfire may be due to the damp days we've been having recently, the noise defiently sounds like tappets but is VERY loud,

 

who knows maybe your valves are toasted, how does she drive?

She drives very well. That is what is every strange about it.

 

These 2 things have occured today. She smoked a little but it was more like soot when you floored it and it was 1 puff and that was it. Litterally like she was clearing her throat but then was fine.

 

Paul, I change the oil ever 3000-4000 miles. She is due one now but I flush here probably once a year.

 

Oh well. Looks like my Z experience maybe coming to an end :(

I will see if any one wants her for breaking if things get too bad. AndyZ? You there? ;)

 

Stuart

Originally posted by SRRAE

She drives very well. That is what is every strange about it.

 

 

 

Stuart

 

Stu the strange thing was mine drove very well,she pulled like a train only problem was a little smoke now and then,and you know what was up with mine.

 

I do hope thats yours is ok and that it's just a PCV or something simple;)

Well my car is going in to be looked at tomorrow for a completely different matter.

It sounds like the exhaust is blowing towards the the manifold. But I am thinking that it could all be related.

I really do hope its just the PVC valves.

Stuart

Mini update.

 

The water is low. Sounding like head gasket?

 

Stuart

looks to me like a cold morning

 

sound to me like tappets -

 

when did you last check the coolant level ?

 

Do we have a group buy on a therapy session ?? :D i hope it's only minor

 

Regards,

 

alex

the smoke is bad. I have seen morning smoke, because the smoke disapears about a metre from the car. This was lasting a long time.

 

I checked the water about 2 weeks ago..

this is probably a long shot but my daily drive is an old astra. About 9 months ago i noticed that it was sounding rough - like tappett noise. shortly afterward the cam belt broke.

 

Could it be as simple as it needs a 60k service - can you tell what state your cam belt is in?

 

Regards,

 

alex

...head gasket.

 

good luck

 

Jack

Originally posted by _cj_

this is probably a long shot but my daily drive is an old astra. About 9 months ago i noticed that it was sounding rough - like tappett noise. shortly afterward the cam belt broke.

 

Could it be as simple as it needs a 60k service - can you tell what state your cam belt is in?

 

Regards,

 

alex

 

 

It had the 60k service about 3000 miles ago. :mad:

 

I went to the garage and they had a quick look. It is oil coming out of the exhaust and there is oil on the top part of the turbos. The Oil blowing from the exhaust is it getting into the breather system, so it is either PCV (or what ever) going, or it could be a stuck ring, or the turbos are going.

I will do a compression test in a few weekends, but either way it is not looking good. I was wondering how much I could get selling it for parts. :( :cry:

 

Stuart

ouch - doesnt sounds good

Originally posted by SRRAE

I was wondering how much I could get selling it for parts. :( :cry:

Stuart

 

Ah don't do that you wally!

If it does turn out to be bad, ie a nackered turbo, just take ur time sorting it out urself. Will cost you very little then. No excuses and don't give up big boy, ur well oncourse for 10,000 posts by the end of the year, that will motivate u!;)

or just source yourself another engine & tubs and swap them over.

The clanky tappet noise could be down to low oil pressure in the heads - mine was the same, but my whole engine was filthy inside... really gummed up (not no more! :) ). Apparently, that's not a massive problem - just sounds nasty. But listening to your vid - is that horrible f@rty noise real, or funny codec / distortion?! It sounds facked! The close side-on shot makes it look like steam, but in the far shot it seems to drift longer than steam would. I dunno about head gasket - surely you'd see some other problems (overheating etc)? Dunno. Could be a stuck valve and the smoke is unburnt fuel. I think you'd know if it was oil - it'd stink really bad. If there's anyone local to you with a ConZult (or if you've got one) then you could do a power balance test for a bit of a clue.

Dont sell it for parts!!!!! just rebuild it! its cheep if you do it yourself, rebuilt mine twice this year already:slap:

if i can help give me a shout bud.jay

Any body want to make me an offer? Be a good cheap car for someone to use as a project.

don't rush into things m8, you've put a lot of effort into that motor, would you not like it as a project car? Stus engine shows how strong a good rebuild can be.

I havent got room for a project car. I dont have a full time job yet so money is a big problem, it my parents house and their drive and my mum isnt really happy about having a car in bits on the drive.

Stuart...

 

That smoke looks more like water to me!!

 

I'd say either a head gasket or coolant leak on one side! (normally head gasket!!)

 

Price it up - don't get rid.

 

Best Wishes

 

Ben

SRRAE - email me full details of your car mods, mileage, age etc.. etc.. to matt@ljgibbsandpartners.com and i'll get back to you on monday.

 

cheers mate

 

Matt