[TheMidnightNarwhal]

I've been chasing my smoking issue for a few months. Smoking occurs when coming to a stop and sometimes smells oily at idle. Replaced valve cover gasket, PCV breather hose, PCV rob beck upgrade valve.

Here how my turbos look. No in/out shaft play and barely up down play. The turbine looks pretty clean right? If oil was pushed out it would look wet and black? Can I rule out turbos 100%? If so, I am 90% it might be hairline crack in my valve cover. I also have oil coming out of hot side itnercooler but inside the intercooler the oil is minimal, nothing crazy. I also do have oil loss, about 400ML within 2500KM.

Is there a diagnosis process to determine if the PCV system is functioning properly? I hate throwing parts at it without diagnosis. Valve cover gasket was definitely leaking before as it was oily and puddling around and now oil seems to be coming back but I want to be 100% sure PCV is compromised due to cracked cover before spending 450$ on a new one.

[type-dRew]

these cars shouldn't even have the valve cover removed unless its getting replaced, no point in doing gasket only

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by type-dRew

these cars shouldn't even have the valve cover removed unless its getting replaced, no point in doing gasket only

That's not really what I've concluded after reading on the subject. A lot of people were able to get away with the gasket only.

That said, would you say my turbo seals are fine? Also can a cracked valve cover cause the same symptoms that I have? What tests can I do to confirm the PCV system has an issue.

[type-dRew]

They dont look to be an issue, but that doesn't mean anything, if its a small enough amount it could burn off.

I say the valve cover should be replaced because of the internal PCV parts. No point in pulling the thing off if you arent going to change it, because you can bet if the gasket is shot, that the internal PCV function is poor as well. Even if its only the gasket thats leaking, its irrelevant. And now you have to do a bunch more troubleshooting, instead of doing the job once and right and ruling it out as a problem. Now you are elbow deep in your car and still dont know what the issue is, still could be either.

Thats like dropping the trans pan because its leaking and only changing the seal and not the pan itself(the pan is the trans filter also).

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by type-dRew

They dont look to be an issue, but that doesn't mean anything, if its a small enough amount it could burn off.

I say the valve cover should be replaced because of the internal PCV parts. No point in pulling the thing off if you arent going to change it, because you can bet if the gasket is shot, that the internal PCV function is poor as well. Even if its only the gasket thats leaking, its irrelevant. And now you have to do a bunch more troubleshooting, instead of doing the job once and right and ruling it out as a problem. Now you are elbow deep in your car and still dont know what the issue is, still could be either.

Thats like dropping the trans pan because its leaking and only changing the seal and not the pan itself(the pan is the trans filter also).

Ah damn, ok, so then there is no way to know for sure apart from throwing parts at it..? Like a new valve cover. Or is there no diagnosing process I can do to measure crankcase pressure or something? I guess though I can't measure pressure when under boost though.

Right I agree with you but my cyclonic separator looked clean as if they were brand new and weren't clogged at all. As for the deeper other internal ports that I cannot say. If the cyclonic ports would've been really dirty I would've stopped and ordered a new cover for sure in the middle of the job.

[type-dRew]

Its not really a matter of throwing parts at it as much as the valve cover is essentially a wear item and as such should be replaced if its coming off. They get brittle with age and miles, just the job of removing it to change the gasket it and reinstall it can cause problems. Cracks or damage internally.

I cant see the issues with my valve cover, but it still leaks from cracks that are too small to see easily.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by type-dRew

Its not really a matter of throwing parts at it as much as the valve cover is essentially a wear item and as such should be replaced if its coming off. They get brittle with age and miles, just the job of removing it to change the gasket it and reinstall it can cause problems. Cracks or damage internally.

I cant see the issues with my valve cover, but it still leaks from cracks that are too small to see easily.

Right... to an extent. I only fix things when they are broken and I hate changing something if it's not actually broken but perhaps I should've for the valve cover. I was at 70k miles.

So will cracked valve cover cause similar symptoms?

I'll probably change it next and if it still smokes I give up lol.

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

So will cracked valve cover cause similar symptoms?

YES! Obviously...go back and reread what type-dRew and you will answer your own question.

Also, just because your "turbo seals" aren't belching oil, doesn't mean your valve seals aren't...again, you gotta address the fundamentals first (valve cover, entire PCV system from high-side to low-side, etc.) before digging any deeper into that possibility.

If it were me, and I'd been chasing this issue down for sometime, I'd pull the valve cover, tap/plug the ports in the head, REPLACE valve cover, and add an external catch can to the low-side. That will guarantee there are no problems on that end from then until forever. If issues persist, you'll know where to look instead of just guessing.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by FCobra94

YES! Obviously...go back and reread what type-dRew and you will answer your own question.

Also, just because your "turbo seals" aren't belching oil, doesn't mean your valve seals aren't...again, you gotta address the fundamentals first (valve cover, entire PCV system from high-side to low-side, etc.) before digging any deeper into that possibility.

If it were me, and I'd been chasing this issue down for sometime, I'd pull the valve cover, tap/plug the ports in the head, REPLACE valve cover, and add an external catch can to the low-side. That will guarantee there are no problems on that end from then until forever. If issues persist, you'll know where to look instead of just guessing.

I was asking again because it wasn't really clear. I understand a cracked valve cover will result in poor PCV function but does that explicitly mean smoking when coming to a stop that's just what I wanted to confirm here. So I assume yes.

Can't I just keep the stock PCV as it is? A low side catch can is going to prevent smoking? I'm asking because if my car ran fine for all this time and a new valve cover fixes it because that is the issue why bother with getting a low side catch can plugging head ports. I don't care if it increases the interval required for walnut blasting since that's already a maintenance item planned. What other benefits are there? I'm also not running crazy boost, around 16psi.

Looks like you've provided yourself with a great list of questions to research and educate yourself on...most of those can be answered within the highly-informative external catch can thread. Enjoy

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by FCobra94

Looks like you've provided yourself with a great list of questions to research and educate yourself on...most of those can be answered within the highly-informative external catch can thread. Enjoy

Okay found the thread. Confirms what I said. I'll get a new valve cover and call it a day and just replace it again in the future with lifetime warranty, so don't really need catch can.

I'll do an update if a new cover fixes the issue when it's replaced.

[b92]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Okay found the thread. Confirms what I said. I'll get a new valve cover and call it a day and just replace it again in the future with lifetime warranty, so don't really need catch can.

I'll do an update if a new cover fixes the issue when it's replaced.

Looking forward to the update, I have the same issue and I've been putting it off. I was fairly certain it was my VC, but your troubles pretty much confirms it.

[335iN54enthusiast]

Like we said change your cover....youll be doing yourself a favour anyway yes it CAN cause smoking. However...you said your car has 70k miles on it? Are those original turbos? If so then they could be still the culprit thats like average mileage for them to be replaced due to failure. You said you hear a whining sound? Plus you have oil on one of your turbines....Honestly i see in your future...youll be changing a valve cover and turbos very soon you have all the advice you need. Trust me do yourself a favour and buy those. Now if i were u those tutbos had a recall on them go to a dealer and see if yours still has an open recall..if so then it will be free if not.....well its gonna be expensive unless you do it yourself

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by 335iN54enthusiast

Like we said change your cover....youll be doing yourself a favour anyway yes it CAN cause smoking. However...you said your car has 70k miles on it? Are those original turbos? If so then they could be still the culprit thats like average mileage for them to be replaced due to failure. You said you hear a whining sound? Plus you have oil on one of your turbines....Honestly i see in your future...youll be changing a valve cover and turbos very soon you have all the advice you need. Trust me do yourself a favour and buy those. Now if i were u those tutbos had a recall on them go to a dealer and see if yours still has an open recall..if so then it will be free if not.....well its gonna be expensive unless you do it yourself

Yeah lol. I already planned out turbos. Just want to confirm it's not the PCV because a bad PCV can cause pressure and blow out gaskets and all that.

Isn't the turbo recall in the USA only? AFAIK it did not affect Canada. Furthermore pretty sure it only affected pre-lci cars also.

[335iN54enthusiast]

Yeah I hear ya i dont know the exact details of the recall. Im in canada too and i had to eat the cost but did it myself. Your car has 70k on it so i can see why your hesitant on the valve cover....thats pretty low mileage for a bad valve cover but umfortunately still a possibility...if you want your car to run its full potential...change the valve cover and like i said more than likely your one tutbo is shot so i see turbos in your near future...it may just be the turbo causing your issue not the valve cover....

Do you by chance still have your stock midpipe? If so then your smoking wayyyyy more than you think lol trust me.

[mweisdorfer]

Have you done a smoke test to see if you have any leaks? Usually, this is done to see find a leak due to a 30ff code, but the smoke will find leaks that's for sure.

[mweisdorfer]

Your excessive oil in the FMIC is from a lack of a catch can.

[335iN54enthusiast]

Yeah regardless of a perfect running engine your STILL going to burn oil unless you have not only a catch can on the high side but the low side as well.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

Have you done a smoke test to see if you have any leaks? Usually, this is done to see find a leak due to a 30ff code, but the smoke will find leaks that's for sure.

No I haven't since I wasn't sure if it would be beneficial to help diagnose.

Originally Posted by 335iN54enthusiast

Yeah regardless of a perfect running engine your STILL going to burn oil unless you have not only a catch can on the high side but the low side as well.

Yeah I understand that. I was just wasn't to sure if oil being pushed out of the piping was normal to? I guess that's what higher boost does?

[nicky dj]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Right... to an extent. I only fix things when they are broken and I hate changing something if it's not actually broken but perhaps I should've for the valve cover. I was at 70k miles.

So will cracked valve cover cause similar symptoms?

I'll probably change it next and if it still smokes I give up lol.

You're not getting the point. What dRew is trying to say is that if your that deep in replacing a part, an attached part, especially attached to a critical part that's recommended to be replaced at an interval, do it anyways so you don't have to do a not so easy job twice and rule out any further troubleshooting. Just like with anything else, if you have to remove the front subframe to change your recovery hose, you might as well consider doing your engine mounts at the same time while you're right there etc.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by nicky dj

You're not getting the point. What dRew is trying to say is that if your that deep in replacing a part, an attached part, especially attached to a critical part that's recommended to be replaced at an interval, do it anyways so you don't have to do a not so easy job twice and rule out any further troubleshooting. Just like with anything else, if you have to remove the front subframe to change your recovery hose, you might as well consider doing your engine mounts at the same time while you're right there etc.

Yeah I agree for sure with that example but in the case of the valve cover the job is kinda easy and not to bad. I had the chance to either pay 50$ for a gasket or 450$ for a cover. I inspected the VC off the car and the ports looked like new and no cracks. But my gamble didn't work and I agree it kinda of set me back.

But my point of the thread was to also find out a way to actually measure some data to determine it's actually at fault instead of just pointing to a part which we assume is most likely the culprit but guess there's no way.

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

No I haven't since I wasn't sure if it would be beneficial to help diagnose.

Yeah I understand that. I was just wasn't to sure if oil being pushed out of the piping was normal to? I guess that's what higher boost does?

Yes, you are going from 8-9# to 18#.