Okay guys I was driving up to a car wash yesterday and they guy told me I had smoke coming from my headlight area so after the wash I take a look under the hood and there is smoke puffing out of my oil cap. I opened it up to see if it was a constant cloud or coming out in puffs and sure enough its coming out in puffs. I'm guessing there is a problem with my rings and compression. I refilled my coolant, changed my PCV valve and I'm in the middle of an oil change but I can't get the freakin plug off. If anyone has any tips to get it off PLEASE let me know...I tried a socket...then a wrench...now I'm on vice grips and pb blaster and this thing hasn't even budged. I tapped it and everything to no avail.

Anyway, how worried should I be about this and what is the cost of repairs? I'm almost sure this is some blow by and I would gave to get a compression test done but I don't really know where to go from there. I'm in no position to be shelling out a bunch of money right now so any advice would be great.

 

I bet you could rent a compression tester and check it yourself, its not difficult. that should be your first step. if it reads good, next step would be to go over your pcv system. if its clogged in can cause puffs of smoke as well.

 

As far as your oil drain plug… If the plug is stripped, either try one of those fancy gizmos that claim they can grab onto stripped nuts or take a pipe wrench to it. Then you'll have to possibly repair the threads in the pan as needed, because it must be cross-threaded or something…or else it would screw out.

If you don't have the time or cash for that, then you could fork over a few bucks for one of pumps that remove the oil from the dipstick tube and drain the oil that way…they're used on boats normally.

As far as the PCV system….this IS a bone stock, untampered with system right? No aftermarket valve covers etc? You do have a vent/breather tube in one of the valve covers and a PCV in the other correct?

 

Sorry about the late response here guys, I've been busy.

So I was able to get the bolt out with one of those little extractors and some heat and that problem is out of the way. The oil change reduced the smoke slightly but the problem is still there.

As I mentioned above I changed out the PCV valve and pulled the hose off and could see straight through it (it was not clogged). This is as far my knowledge goes.

The valve covers I believe are aftermarket. On one side I have just my oil cap and on the drivers side I have the PCV valve and one of those little air filter breathers. This is a tpi if that helps also. I have yet to be able to get around to a compression test but I know I should get that done to help knock some possible issues off.

Thanks again guys for the help I have some knowledge on cars and stuff but nothing could replace some of you master minds on this forum.

 

PCV valve and breather have to go on opposite covers.