J0hn_J0hn08

iTrader: (2)

Alright so i bought an 89 trans am, brought it home and started investigating a smoke issue. Car is 100% stock so engine bay is a nightmare, just removing the valve covers was a PITA...

I pulled the covers and notice an extreme ammount of gunk build up..

3 out of 4 drain back holes wer 100% clogged.

Could this be part of my smoke issue? The engine Was supposedly overhauled back in 05, seller gave me paperwork. Car drives fine exept for the smoke At idle and take off.

I need some suggestions for cleaning this thing because there is so much gunk its ridiculous.. I dont have access to compressed air, how would u guys tackle this if it was ur car as far as cleaning it?

Thoughts on smoke theory? Im thinking that maybe this car got rebuilt and just sat for years with same oil..

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

Is it part of the smoke issue, yes and no.

The sludge build up shows you the lack of maintanince the car has recieved, which means it is probably well worn inside.

I would not go at it with an air hose.

Scrap out what you can.

What color is the smoke?

When does it smoke?

At a minimum you will probably want/need to replace the valve seals.

Do a compression test to see how well the rings are sealing.

It it was rebuilt in 05, and is that bad already, it probably has not had many oil changes.

Look into the Sea Foam treatment as well.

J0hn_J0hn08

iTrader: (2)

yeah i seafomed it last night when i got it home, through brake booster, didnt smoke much to my surprise, ive had worse cars..

It smokes at idle and on take off, drives smooth and sounds good, smoke is really the only issue i was having, im hoping maybe a good cleaning will at least decrease the smoke

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

What color smoke?

Many suggest adding some sea foam to the oil, in your case it would probably break up a ton of goo.

J0hn_J0hn08

iTrader: (2)

its a bluish white definetly smells like oil

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

Compression / leakdown test is in order.

I would probably go ahead and plan on replacing valve seals.

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

Clean that gunk out and unplug the oil return holes. Its filling the head with oil and then its running down the valve stems and being burnt.
A friend of mine had the same problem with his car. Smoking as it idled and for while after ya go down the road. I don't know if he ever changed the oil, he just kept adding to it. He was trying to blow it up. I saw him add 4qts to the motor b4 cause it was low!. Well he passed away a few yrs ago and his wife got the car. She brought it by an his brother and I took a look under the valve covers. Filled to the top with nasty stuff. We cleaned it out really well and changed the oil. She runs fine with no smoking anymore. In fact, its still running today just fine. We are still going to pull the intake off and clean it out.. someday...

J0hn_J0hn08

iTrader: (2)

thanks for this, makes me feel like im not wasting my time and gives me hope lol.. gonna make sure i clean it well if it fails ill prolly do the compression check afterwards, wont hurt to know compression anyway.

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

Comp check won't hurt at all but unless its running funny I wouldn't worry about it.

Damon

If it's clogged up on the valve deck it's probably caked up in the lifter valley and other places as well. JUST CLEAN OUT THE DRAIN-BACK HOLES. Leave the rest alone or you're likely to start a cascade of failures, including plugging up the oil pump pickup screen.

I clean out those holes with a screwdriver and have somebody hold a shop-vac where I'm working to draw the pieces UP instead of just shoving them down into the lifter valley area.

Last thing you want to do is break all that sludge loose at once and have it start circulating through the engine with the rest of the oil.

J0hn_J0hn08

iTrader: (2)

hey guys i wanted to update this thread to hopefully help someone in the future.

After cleaning the drain holes an oil change and a tune up the car has completely stopped smoking. Im very happy, it took a few days but it is fully gone now! i really appreciate u guys.. i almost gave up on the smoking issue and was already looking at replacement motors lol, valve seals etc

Thanks!