Valve Stem Seals

[Guest]

Q: My car is exhausting blue smoke. My mechanic told me that the valve stem seals in my engine are leaking? What do valve stem seals do?

[Auto Upkeep]

A: Blue smoke indicates oil burning. Valve stem seals control a small amount of oil flow to lubricate the valve guides and valve stems within the cylinder head. These seals act like a wiper for oil on the valve stem. When the engine is running, large amounts of oil are present in the valve cover to lubricate the cylinder head components. If the valve stem seals are cracked or excessively worn, they may allow too much oil to flow. If too much oil flows between the guide and stem, then oil can collect in the combustion chamber. Oil in the combustion chamber will burn with the air-fuel mixture, causing the blue smoke.

[oursys2010]

Hello Everyone,

Model: Toyota Tercel 1.5L 12 Valve
Year: 1992
Manual 4 speed

I am new to the forums so I hope everyone bares with me and doesn't always put me down im so used to hearing you can't do this and you can't do that but I have no help im going to have to start repairing my car myself with little patience and a slow process and especially with gods help I can do this.

My car emits a bluish white smoke out of the exhaust with a gas smell, Some say it could be valve seals or oil rings. Im glad I found this website especially it being free I might finally get my car fixed instead of hearing people say that car is junk might as well buy a new one. It's hard to buy a new one or get into a guessing game and cost you more than a new car would cost so I appreciate everyone's help, Thank You all and god bless.

Usually the car quits smoking it usually just starts smoking when I start the car up and drive at high RPM's for example changing the gears and I can rub my fingers in the tailpipe and its wet with black im guessing wet oil that the car is burning.

Since this topic is based on an about the same thing as an oil problem do you mind me asking this, Yesterday me and my uncle put a timing chain in the car because it broke because the pulley must have been loose when me and my cousin was working on it to fix all the oil leaks, We installed a front crankshaft seal and I asked my uncle that done the work I said are you sure that seal does not have to be lubricated with grease or oil etc.. he said no but I was recently reading a website how to replace the front crankshaft seal and it says make sure everything is lubricated, Now when we got done with the job I drove the car about 30 miles or so the oil light would flicker and stay on like 2 seconds it would not stay on forevever if so I would have pulled the car over and put oil in it or had the car pulled home. Im thinking my uncle even though he has been a mechanic for 20 yrs or so doesnt know how to do things the right way as much as he claims.
Im not judging him but he cost me out be out money for nothing without doing the job perfect and slow to make sure everything was done correctly now im back to were I started, I jacked the car up yesterday evening after the oil light came on and pulled it over a tarp and got in to race it up at high RPM and oil was all over the tarp could the seal be shot or just not done correctly because oil is leaking from the bottom of the timing chain cover its pouring out im heart broke with the car because it has been sitting for over 5 years and I wanted to fix it up and start driving it because the economy and the car runs smooth as silk no misses or anything and gets excellent gas mileage I love it for that please help and thank you all for taking the time to read my long post GOD BESS TO EVERYONE!