happyspringroll Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 Hey everyone. I've noticed that every once in a while, I get a varying sized puff of white smoke, under very specific circumstances. (Car has only done this about 4 times over the past 2ish months) If I drive the car to full operating temps, park somewhere and shut the car off, and come back to it maybe 30(ish) minutes later after it has slightly cooled down, it has spat out a single puff of white/greyish smoke. Only on a semi-warm startup, it has never happened when the car was cold. I honestly don't know where to start looking for an issue, or if its even something to really worry about with it being so intermittent. Though I've never liked seeing any kind of non-condensation smoke coming from an exhaust, so I am slightly concerned. Will provide a mod list if requested, I'm on mobile currently so it gets tedious typing it all out. Thanks in advance for the help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FknBoss Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 Sure it's not blue? Sounds like oil. Either oil seal or the 1 or more cylinders are getting worn and have score marks. Also these cars don't like short trips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyspringroll Posted June 28, 2014 Author Share Posted June 28, 2014 I will try and get a better look at it when it happens again. It does smell of oil, but the times it has happened it looked very much white. As for the cylinders, the motor was built back in January, and has roughly 7,800 miles on it. I would hope the cylinders are okay after such a short time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FknBoss Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 Who built it? And what was used. Subaru engines are very finicky and must be put together correctly. Needs an extreme close in spec piston to wall clearance due to the expansion of the pistons when warm. I have put a few together 2 wrx engines and 2 frs engines. You can't just take them to any mechanic they aren't normal putting them together in any way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyspringroll Posted June 29, 2014 Author Share Posted June 29, 2014 It was built by Outback Automotive in Auburn, WA. Very reputable shop here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FknBoss Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 Reputable with subarus? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrTris Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 Reputable with subarus? Yes. I know it's not the best time to point it out, but he built Boxkita's wagon. He does know what he's doing. OP, hate to say it, but, you might have a ring issue. I take it you have forged internals? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyspringroll Posted June 29, 2014 Author Share Posted June 29, 2014 Yes. I know it's not the best time to point it out, but he built Boxkita's wagon. He does know what he's doing. OP, hate to say it, but, you might have a ring issue. I take it you have forged internals? I do. We put Mahles in it. Best way to figure if it's a ring, compression test? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrTris Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 I do. We put Mahles in it. Best way to figure if it's a ring, compression test? Gonna be that and a close eye on your oil consumption. Any increase from what it normally uses? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyspringroll Posted June 29, 2014 Author Share Posted June 29, 2014 I check my oil level and color each time I get gas, and honestly the car doesn't use nearly as much as the supposed qt every 1500 miles. Bit to be more specific, no, from what I can see, the car does not appear to use more oil than it used to. (I'm sure you did, but I just want to be sure.. You read that this issue has only happened 4 times over the past couple months, and that it's not a regularly occurring issue?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrTris Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 I check my oil level and color each time I get gas, and honestly the car doesn't use nearly as much as the supposed qt every 1500 miles. Bit to be more specific, no, from what I can see, the car does not appear to use more oil than it used to. (I'm sure you did, but I just want to be sure.. You read that this issue has only happened 4 times over the past couple months, and that it's not a regularly occurring issue?) As I understand it, some blow-by isn't all that uncommon in built motors. If you're not losing any siginificant amount of oil and it's not happening on a regular basis/constant, then I wouldn't worry too much about it. Maybe the oiling ring is shifting somehow when it's warm, causing a little bit of oil to be burned? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyspringroll Posted June 29, 2014 Author Share Posted June 29, 2014 As I understand it, some blow-by isn't all that uncommon in built motors. If you're not losing any siginificant amount of oil and it's not happening on a regular basis/constant, then I wouldn't worry too much about it. Maybe the oiling ring is shifting somehow when it's warm, causing a little bit of oil to be burned? That's an interesting idea.. I've heard that with a fried ring, if you pull the dipstick and oil cap, there would be a light "steam" that would come out from the mentioned areas, the idea being that with the oil getting burned from the fried ring, the smoke would be brought back to the case, and it would escape through the open areas, or something similar to that. That being said- so smoke or steam or however you want to describe it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xplosivo1 Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 My car does exactly the same thing, I've got forged JE pistons. It's about as random as it can be, and rarely happens... I'm interested though to see how this turns out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrTris Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 The issue seems to stem from having forged pistons and using stock rings, IIRC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyspringroll Posted June 30, 2014 Author Share Posted June 30, 2014 My car does exactly the same thing, I've got forged JE pistons. It's about as random as it can be, and rarely happens... I'm interested though to see how this turns out. I'm headed to outback sometime this week for a compression test and an oil analysis. Will report the findings for both things when I have results. Maybe I make too much power for the setup? Though I don't think John would over-tune a motor he knows everything about, considering he built it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyspringroll Posted July 1, 2014 Author Share Posted July 1, 2014 Compression/leak down test tomorrow, with an oil change and oil analysis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
700watts Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 This comes up about two to three time a month, you more than likely have too much oil in it...check your levels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyspringroll Posted July 3, 2014 Author Share Posted July 3, 2014 Compression test- 90-95 psi across the board Leakdown test- leaked well within the allowed amount Captured oil for analysis- will be sent out soon. Hooray for not having fried rings or a blown head gasket, right?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.