Smoke from passenger tailpipe

[redfastback]

I had an experience with a shop a few weeks ago when i realized i had screwed the pooch on my trans pan gasket fitting the tranny with a bracket for my shifter ...the shop changed the gasket and showed me while it was in the air that my "rear main seal was leaking"and i should do it right away ...i was scared **** at the time as that motor was still not even paid off yet .."stupid credit cards" ..went to a car show ..got a tip from a person there ...he said "look idiot your valve cover is leaking and dripping down and around the back of the block "
..bottom line is ..this shop may or may not have known that the rear main seal was not actually leaking ...but he was about to rape me for the parts and labor for something i diddnt need ....its a shame that we as a consumer are sometimes led or placed in situations that are unfortunate.

best of luck to you I hope it works out

from my point of view, i HATE doing rear mains so i will look to make sure its not oil pressure sender, valve covers! i was told years ago by a buddy" its all about the diagnosis". and he is 100% right.

 

[Demon_Dan]

believe me ..i cant imagine anyone loving a rear main seal job LOL ...i helped put this thing together ... this was a small town guy ,looking to make a good dollar ..off a stupid guy ..its a shame as i need a good "local" guy to do the things i need done that i cant get to myself ...while he still swears that seal is leaking ..the entire bottom of the motor has been dry since ...ahh well LOL

 

[dodge freak]

If it was my car, it would NOT go back to that shop..ever again.

I agree with that it was driven hard and likely the head gasket is going-or even a piston rings.

Too bad you aren't able to change the valve covers yourself. I would pull both heads and have a nice valve job and new spring put in, along with milling the heads a bit. Sure could use the work anyways by now.

But since you have to pay some shop, they will say its best to rebuilt the whole motor-in a way thats right.

But again, I would not trust that shop again with my car.

 

[ProStreetDuster]

Sounds like someone might have gone joy riding to me.

 

[Backtobasics]

Isn't there someone local that could look at this car for him?

 

[340sFastback]

I would pull both heads and have a nice valve job and new spring put in, along with milling the heads a bit. Sure could use the work anyways by now.

How about just pulling the whole engine and putting a 4" crank in there?

 

[DartSportDude]

No word yet from my repair shop. I hope to know more tonight.

I just spoke to an acquaintance who owns a repair shop in Oregon. He thinks it's very possible the leaking fuel pump could be releasing gas into the engine oil, thus accounting for the tail pipe smoke. He also suggested, as some of you have, that I check the spark plugs for evidence of cylinder-related issues, as well as look the antifreeze in the radiator for signs of oil.

The problem is, the car's down at the shop and I've been at work since it went in. I haven't had a chance to go down there and check things out. Hopefully later today.

If the fuel pump doesn't prove to be the cause of the smoke, then the valve stem seals or rings might be the next place to look.

Dumb question: Can the valve stem seals be replaced without removing the engine? How about the rings? Does it make sense to do either of these things without a complete rebuild?

Obviously, a complete rebuild would be a nice long-term solution. Finances may be an issue at this point. I guess I just hate the thought of rebuilding a nice, original 340 that never burned any oil, and never smoked, until this latest episode.

Thanks again for all the help!

 

[cuda67bnl]

Seals can be replaced without pulling the heads. Does the car have duals? Seems to me that both sides would be smoking if it was the fuel pump.....

 

[DartSportDude]

Yes, the car does have dual exhaust. My gut also tells me that both pipes should be smoking if the fuel pump is the culprit. However, my mechanic acquaintance said that since the fuel pump and the smoking pipe are both located on the passenger side of the car, it may mean the fuel is diluting before it affects the driver's side cylinders. I'm skeptical.

 

[cuda67bnl]

Pull the dipstick. It'll tell you........

 

[MopaR&D]

Yes, the car does have dual exhaust. My gut also tells me that both pipes should be smoking if the fuel pump is the culprit. However, my mechanic acquaintance said that since the fuel pump and the smoking pipe are both located on the passenger side of the car, it may mean the fuel is diluting before it affects the driver's side cylinders. I'm skeptical.

Is this guy really that F'ing stupid? How the hell can "diluted" fuel reach only half the cylinders if it's being atomized equally into eight intake runners that go into each cylinder at the same time?

Just leave man. Take it somewhere else before they start telling you the ball bearings in your mufflers might be worn out and causing smoke.

 

[demon seed]

Yes, the car does have dual exhaust. My gut also tells me that both pipes should be smoking if the fuel pump is the culprit. However, my mechanic acquaintance said that since the fuel pump and the smoking pipe are both located on the passenger side of the car, it may mean the fuel is diluting before it affects the driver's side cylinders. I'm skeptical.

Dart Sport Dude, listen, find another shop. Do not take your car to the shop that did the seal work and if it's there pull it out. Ask around the car clubs or speed parts stores for a good recommended shop and let them have a look at it. The original shop is going to soke ya good if you give them a chance. There is not a chance in hell that fuel in the oil will make only one side of the engine smoke, makes no sense what so ever. Any good shop that new what it was doing would have first pressure checked the cooling system which will show up a bad head gasket or intake cooling passage leaks. You can take my advise or not, I just had to say it.


Terry

 

['74 Sport]

If the fuel pump is leaking into the crankcase, you should pull the dipstick and see if the oil smells of gasoline. If so, the gasoline-thinned oil needs to be changed, along with the fuel pump - not good on the bearings.

Jerry

 

[Backtobasics]

I agree with the above opinions. Get it out of the shop now. Find a local car club, and ask for help. Even someone who is uber knowledgeable on other makes, can help diagnose a general based question.
You need to get it home, and pull and keep in order, the plugs. The plugs will tell you which hole it is.
Where are you located?

 

[redfastback]

i agree with demon seed. how can it make it come out only 1 side? how can fuel in the oil make it smoke from the combustion chamber? something doesn't seem right. have you checked the plugs yet?

 

[DartSportDude]

I agree with all your comments. The fuel pump needs to be replaced anyway, so I'm having them do that -- them I'm pulling the car out and taking it home.

I think the rings could be the only answer. I've probably lost a ring(s) on the passenger side cylinder(s). At this point, I'm prepared for the worst -- probably an engine rebuild.

Anybody used an outside shop for a rebuild? How much do you think I'm looking at the have the engine pulled, rebuilt, and then dropped back in? I'm not in a position to do any of this work myself, so I'm probably looking for a turnkey job.

Also, anybody have a good reference for an engine rebuilder in Phoenix, AZ?

Thanks again.

 

[Backtobasics]

Do a little search on Hot Rod and Car Craft. They have done numerous "budget rebuilds." It basically entails tearing the block all the way down, using a hone to clean the cylinders up, new bearings and gaskets, etc.

I think it could be done very economically, and still be done right.