Bit of oil spraying out of exhaust

[DeeCee]

Stared up the car the other day and noticed that there was oil coming out of the exhaust. It comes outin flecks/droplets/oil spit and was wondering what could b the cause?

The car has been off the road for a while and i didn't think that turning over the engine would do that. Gave it a slight rev to 3000 so maybe something went wrong because i didn't warm up the engine?

Car is Celica GTR 1990.

What could be the causes of this problem and what solutions are available?
Also, how much would it cost - possible to do myself or get friends to fix?

Thanks in advance..

[SKDABL]

My corolla does the same thing but only when I try to turn it over, then sprays specks of oil out for about 10 seconds then oil stops comming out, I was wondering this too, sorry I couldn't help.

[RS13]

How many k's has the engine done? I've only usually seen high-k or thrashed or overheated cars with this problem, its more than likely oil seeping into the exhaust flow through the exhaust valve stem seals.. or a worn motor with bung rings etc. I've seen the problem disappear with new stem seals installed, however, if the problem is maybe a broken oil control ring.. its going to be expensive. Usually it only does it when cold? Does the car blow smoke under load at all? Have you checked compression to factory etc?

Valve stem seals are cheap cheap anyway. Normally you need to take the head off to replace them ( a good excuse to change the head gasket!), but I've seen people manage to replace them without taking it off, by making a tool up to hold the valves in place. Even with limited mechanical skills, its a relatively simple job, might wanna see if someone on the forums who lives near you can help or something. All up, including parts, and the doz for whoever helps you, I don't see it costing more than $200.

Or, you could ignore the problem, put up with the stains on the driveway, and check the oil regularly.

Cheers.

[Lloyd]

You sure its oil? Could just be water and carbon build up

[Dr-X]

It's not oil, it's just carbon mixed with water. A lot of cars do it, exspecially when cold, and it's nothing to worry about.

If it were oil, it would burn well before reaching the end of the exhaust, and would never make it through your mufflers etc.

edit: bah beaten by a holden!

edit2: Just to elaborate a little, almost all cars have carbon built up in the exhaust, agreed? A healthy running car will always have a certain amount of steam exiting the tailpipe. Of course, the steam picks up the carbon, condenses, and it looks like oil.

There's not a lot you can do about it, really.

[DeeCee]

Its done 150kms..

Never had this before and it only occured after i started the car up after about 2 months of inactivity. I've had the car off the road - rego on hold and no warrent so i haven't been driving it around.

Car doesn't blow smoke at all, just spits out the oil - in fact, the oil seems a bit watery really, it doesn't leave too much of a mark after i wipe away the mess. I haven't left the motor running for 5 minutes or more for fear of damaging the engine or doing something else to make things worse.

Haven't checked the compression or anything yet - might have to get hold of my mate who has a workshop of tools to sort out the problem..

I'll check the engine over the next couple of days to see if there are any lother leaks around the engine to indicate any other type of malfunction.

Anywhere particular i should be looking? I'm a novice when it comes to engines.. all i know is car audio..

[Dr-X]

^^^^

see above post.

[DeeCee]

so i saw - so do i just wait till the build up is gone then?

[Dr-X]

It will most likely continue to happen for pretty much the life of the car. Just something to live with. I should, in theory, only really happen when cold. My sigma used to do it all the time, warm or cold.

[CozmoNz]

in the stone cold, ify ou engine is warm, just rev her, like a solid, hold throttle to 5k revs and drop it, walk out the back of the car and check for dropplets. youll have heaps

my subie used to basically spit the shit across the road when i revved it.

with a fearsome roar

[DeeCee]

Well - i'm thinking relief then - its not so bad and it should clear up a tad after i drive the car around a little.

At least no mechanics bills or time wasted on repairs

[Dr-X]

If you get the opportunity, get your car onto a track, and thrash the bajeezus out of it for 30mins. It's one of the best things you can do for an engine, maintaining a good high speed for a decent period of time, really gets everything flowing, and you'll have significantly less carbon on the inside of your exhaust.

[DeeCee]

yep - i might take it up to palmerston north to visit a friend - that'll help the engine some

Thanks ya'll

[JDogg]

I had similar sorta of problem, it was more like Dr-X described, sooty sorta build up on the back of the car near exhausts...

It turned out my thermostat had gone, causing carbon and steam/water to mix before leaving the exhaust. The new thermostat cost $9 and took me 10 mins to swap. Sooty dust problem fixed, and more accurate reading on dash temp guage now too.

Dunno if this is your problem, just thought Id mention it anyway in case...

[Dr-X]

I had similar sorta of problem, it was more like Dr-X described, sooty sorta build up on the back of the car near exhausts...

It turned out my thermostat had gone, causing carbon and steam/water to mix before leaving the exhaust. The new thermostat cost $9 and took me 10 mins to swap. Sooty dust problem fixed, and more accurate reading on dash temp guage now too.

Dunno if this is your problem, just thought Id mention it anyway in case...

I'm not sure how a busted thermostat can cause water/soot in your exhaust??

unless your ECU saw your car running too hot, so ran too rich, causing excess soot build up in your exahaust...maybe?

[SKDABL]

I'm planning on getting a 2.25" zorst all the way through.
Being brand new metal it wont have any carbon build up at all so I should be rid of this problem?

Thanks.

[Dr-X]

I'm planning on getting a 2.25" zorst all the way through.
Being brand new metal it wont have any carbon build up at all so I should be rid of this problem?

Thanks.

Probably. But lets not call it a problem, it's completely normal, not something to worry about.

[SKDABL]

Sweet as, the only thing I don't like about it is when I walk past it goes on your clothes, imposible to get off.