sup everyone, i have a 1986 z28 white/gold camaro. since ive bought it there has been white smoke (not thick white, but almost transparent) coming from the valve covers. i had a 'street mechanic' check it out, and he said there could be valve gaskets blown (not sure about those), what may be the problem? what is the expense of that possible problem?

 

The first thing that you need to check is your PCV valve. Your engine is designed to work with positive crancase ventilation and if it is not working right you will get smoke out of the valve covers. This smoke is just excess blowby from the pistons and needs to be evacuated or it will build excessive pressure in your motor. Hope this helps

 

ok thanks alot, i'll have that checked first. do you know what could be causing a loss in engine power when driving? (heard it was a dirty fuel filter that could be the problem) any other potential problems?

 

anyone?

 

a fuel pump that is going south could be another guess.

 

oh ok thanks. i went out and started my car again, there is a constant flow of thin white smoke flowing from the valve covers the whole time and car is running, and a little after its shut off. could this be the pistons?

 

I think that it could be your piston rings. If they are worn out you will lose compression which will lose you power and allow the airfuel mixture to escape past the rings and enter the crankcase and out your valve covers. Where on your covers is the smoke coming from?

 

coming from towards the back of the covers, but the side. this car has so many problems i dont know what to do. i cant afford all of the work so im considering selling it.

 

I have the same problem but it happens when I take the oil cap off or the breather tube off the air cleaner. i just see white smoke or steem comming out the hole.
I hope that is not my problem because I can't afford a rebuild and can't afford another car.

 

Maybe your valve cover is not sealing right or has a hole in back of it. Don't give up on the F-body just fix it.