Hello there, I recently got a punto mia 2001 108,000, its been stood awhile and i started it up today to give it a clear out, i give it abit and ive relised that there it quite alot of oily smoke coming out o fthe exhaust,
Anyone have any ideas?

You need to find out where the oil is getting into the combustion chambers from, usually either the valve guide seals or piston rings. If you are familiar with wet / dry compression testing that can establish whether it is cylinder head or engine strip.

Drive it to clear it out, but if it continues smoking its at the least going to need the head taking off for new seals. If the cylinders are leaking a replacement used engine is the best option. At least taking the head off makes it less heavy to get out of the car

The Haynes workshop manual explains wet & dry compression tests.

Check out www.abebooks.co.uk who often have them cheap (scroll down for Mk2)

i would check the vavle stem seals before taking out heads or engines does it smoke alot or a little and is it worse when cold

Its not unknown for head gaskets to blow between the oil feed (to head) and one cylinder.

The snag with valve guide oil seals is they cant really be tested. But puffs of blue smoke on gear changes are pretty much proof of inlet valve seals.

Hi - just bought a Punto mk2 1,2 8valve for my daughter. Was work when purchased - no smoke. On cold start, fills the road with blue smoke, clears after driving half a mile. Took to a makes garage, had valve stem seals and HG change alsong with oil, filter, plugs. Got it back yesterday and still exactly the same. Anyone got any ideas please - its driving me insane ?

Was it compression tested?
Was the head surface skimmed and crack tested?

Thanks for the response.
No - not compression tested. thoughts from the garage wra that its coming from the top end as it only smokes when standing for a while. Oil apparently coming from the stem seals/valve guides but not sure if this is 100% accurate.
Head not skimmed at HG change.
My mechanic mate is leaning towards a recon head but I am seriously concerned about the cost.
Any advice on the next steps ?
Thanks very much.

It might have damaged or worn piston rings, but the head could be cracked allowing oil from the feed into the head to dribble into cylinder 2 or 3. Or the head face could be damaged again allowing oil to get into a cylinder from the head gasket.

Best to get it compression tested. Google will find all the instructions.

Thanks WHiteSei - I'll google it as you suggest and have a go at a compression test. Will let you know how I get on.

Could you let me know what the compression rating should be please. 2001 8V 1.2 Punto. Thanks.

180 psi - No1
200 psi - No2
180 psi - No3
210 psi - No4

Readings taken from cold.

puntodaughter said:

180 psi - No1
200 psi - No2
180 psi - No3
210 psi - No4

Readings taken from cold.

Click to expand...

Are those dry or wet?

Hi - I believe this was dry via a guage.
My 'mechanic mate' tested last week.

He is taking the head off 2mrw to take a look at the valve guides but stem seals have been replaced with no difference to the smoke. I am now thinking piston rings. Also being advised to purchase a recon head or a new engine. Not sure what the next best move is - any thoughts would be greatly welcomed.

Thank you.

The same test conducted wet (with some engine oil squirted into each cylinder, 1 at a time, with the spark plugs out) will reveal whether or not it is piston ring related or head. The heavy oil helps to provide a better seal around the piston rings, so an increase in PSI from the original readings would guide your choice. If the readings are similar when tested wet then the problem is most likely the valve seat / stem seals.

Thank you - I will ask him to try before he takes the head off again. So if the readings are around the same - then potentially valve guides and if the readings increase (more pressure) then piston rings to be changed ? Apologies - am leaning the hard way.
Cheers

And I guess a ring change would be the next logical choice depending on results.

One other quick point pls - Once the stem seals were changed, would you expect that to stop oil seeping for a short while even if the guides were worn ? The seals being changed made no difference whatsoever. Apparently to tops of pistons in 2+3 were carbonised whereas 1 +4 appeared claen but bores seemed OK with no 'lipping' if that helps the diagnosis.
Thanks in advance.

TBH if it were my car & piston rings were on the agenda I'd consider a rebore. Once you go that far a recon engine makes sense logically but depending on the rest of the car it may not make sense financially. Regarding the question about the valve stem seals... mostly depends on how worn the guides are, but I wouldnt really expect it to belch smoke.... 2 clean & 2 dirty piston crowns... I see the 2 carbonised ones are not the lowest compression? Starting to wonder if there is a chance that the oil may be entering via a head defect all things considered... £150 = £250 for a used engine on e-bay.... but you can never know you are buying a pig or not that way.

Thanks for the advice.
I am awaiting the wet cmpression test. My friend was going to do it today but must have been 2 busy as still on the drive. hopefully will do 2mrw. I spoke with him last night and his advice is to remove the head and check the valve guides for wear. His thinking is that if it is the rings then head needs to come off anyway. Hope this makes sense. Cant help thinkig I have a pig already - been well conned with this motor but even worse my daughter is not too happy ! Anyway, I appreciate your time and advice. Will keep you posted - I have thought of a new engine but may just be buying exactly the same as I have today. Any idea on how many hours a change of rings would take ? Any way I can test the head to see if that is the cause ?

Cheers