2.3l smoke coming out of dipstick?

[Fordfreak]

Just bought a 96 2.3 splash auto and it sounds fine when in idle but smoke is coming out of the dipstick not sure where to start please help

 

[Mark_88]

Howdy and welcome to TRS...

Well, smoke from anywhere on an engine is not good, but depending on the type of smoke it may be normal or it could indicate a problem.

First of all...the smoke may be caused by your PVC valve not working as it should so that may need to be replaced...because it helps to vent the crankcase (Positive Crankcase Ventilation as it were) and the vapours need to go somewhere...so out the dipstick is actually one of several exit routes.

The main thing though is, what are you seeing...smoke as in blue/black smoke or is it more like the steam coming off a kettle that has started to boil but not quite there?

Obviously you can't see this when you are driving...unless you removed the hood and/or have a camera set up under the hood...so you must be seeing this when it is either idling or just after you shut it off. Do you happen to notice anything coming out of the tailpipe while shifting gears (if standard) or when you let your foot off the gas?

These are more telling than the dipstick vapours...as they actually indicate an advanced problem that may require a rebuild sooner rather than later.

 

[RonD]

PCV(positive crankcase ventilation) system isn't working.

When a piston engine is running, all will have "blow-by".
When a cylinder "fires" some of the very hot expanding gases, that gives you power, will "blow-by" the pistons rings.
Older engines can get more blow-by because rings are older, but brand new engines have blow-by.
The Blow-by(hot gases) vaporized some of the oil that coats the pistons and cylinder walls, that makes the "smoke" you see.

In the "good ol' days", lol, there was just a vent on the lower block or upper oil pan and this blow-by and oil vapor exited the engine and oil vapor condensed and dripped on the ground.

Pollution, so PCV system was added to all engines, it uses engine vacuum to suck the air out of the crank case, via the valve covers.

PCV Valve keeps the pressure in crankcase slightly negative, so at the dipstick tube, with engine running, there should be air being pulled in, not a lot, just a little.

So check the PVC Valve, well actually they are usually not expensive, so replace PAC Valve and then check all the hoses for that system.

 

[Fordfreak]

Thanks mark_88 it is on idle and looks like either white smoke/ vapor and as I rev the motor it does pour out heavier

RonD thanks I will change out the PCV and hope it stops

 

[tomw]

The PCV is hidden 'in line' in the large tube coming from the side of the block, underneath the intake manifold. There's a 'split' that is the PCV jammed into the two pieces of hose. Pull apart, and extract the PCV valve. The replacements will come with a two-tubed fitting that you do not need. Discard or re-purpose at your desire.

With the engine at idle, you should be able to place a piece of cardboard, such as a magazine blow-in subscription card, over the oil fill hole in the top of the cam cover. The PCV should pull a slight vacuum within a 30 second to one minute time frame. If there's no vacuum, the PCV valve or system is likely plugged. If there is strong vacuum, the PCV valve is likely jammed or stuck fully open.
tom
tom

 

[enjr44]

On today's engines you can put a vacuum gauge on the dip stick tube and get a reading. If this "smoke" is coming out with the engine running the PCV valve is not doing its thing.

 

[Fordfreak]

Ive since changed the PCV and is still blowing smoke and some oil

 

[Mark_88]

Ah, rats.

At this point you need to determine the type of smoke...and if it is blowing oil out the dipstick that is a bit more serious...

I will say this now...I drove my 2.0 for over a year with those symptoms before changing to a 2.3. The 2.3 was much better, but I was using it for some heavy hauling and eventually it suffered the same fate...

If you take it easy and watch the oil levels to make sure you don't run it dry, it will last for a long time...but you may attact unwelcome attention of law and environmental agents...like I did.

So...is the smoke from burning oil? It would be a bluish cloud that sort of persists. If it is white that could indicate coolant leakage and other problems...if it is like a mist or light fog and goes away fairly easily it may be the first signs of blow-by.

If you have a cell phone that allows you to capture videos then it would show us much clearer what you are dealing with...

And try to avoid the temptation of oil additives...they usually don't help and will just add to your cost of operating and could even expedite the need to rebuild or replace the engine...