Exhaust fumes increase with driving

[alkers]

Hi, I have my 1982 Aircooled 2ltr Devon camper. And I have noticed that after a couple of hours driving, when I pull up at lights, jam etc. I get billows of exhaust fumes coming past my window. When I say billows, they are not black, just a smokey light brown colour, and it is not a fog of them either.

When I start the engine from cold (even after a week of standing), I don't get anything noticable our ofthe exhaust, even when I rev the engine hard.

I regularly keep the oil between the 2 notches on the stick, and it never goes below the lowest notch.

Could this be an overheating issue? I've always wondered how I can tell if she is overheating. Which also begs the question, what is that green light for on the dash?

I hope I've given all the info you need to help. If not please ask and I will do my best to answer - although I am not very mechanical.

Thanks in advance!

[BOXY]

Which also begs the question, what is that green light for on the dash?

The only green light on my dash is the indicators? Where is your green light?

The accepted method for checking if a 2 ltr CU engine is overheating is to try holding the dipstick after a run. If it's not too hot to hold then it's not over-heating.

[alkers]

Holding the dipstick- I will do that next time.

My green light is on the dash near the fog lights (I'm not looking at it right now, so it might be on the other side, but it is on the plastic, not behind the glass screen where the speedo is). It has never illuminated in my time.

On the other side - near the headlamp switch - are 2 other lightpanels, which I think when lit spell out some words. Again, no idea what they say, as they have never been illuminated in my time. Unfortunately I do not have a manual for the van.

[BOXY]

This is my dash. The original VW lights (LEDs) are in the middle between the clocks. The fog light switch has got a warning LED on the side of the switch, but that's all there is I think? I added a couple of LEDs on the right by mounting them on a switch blank, maybe a previous owner has added something after-market to yours?

[alkers]

Yes, where your homemade switch is I have a big green bulb. Maybe it isn't original? Goodness knows what it links too..Maybe overheating?!? I'll see if I can get someone to "follow it", it's going to the garage soon.

On the headlamp side (left), just above, do you know what those 2 blank screens are?

Btw did you ad the pic by the "upload atachment" tab? Or via photobucket?

[..lee..]

has it got an oil leak on to the heat exchangers ??

[alkers]

Oohh, a oil leak has been mentioned to me this year at MOT. But because there is never oil on the road where its been parked, and because the oil level doesn't dip drastically after a drive,I have kind of ignored it. They always go on about rust and age, so I kinda take these comments with a pinch of salt.

What would this mean? The oil is dripping on the hot surface causing smoke? Is this a really big/urgent problem, eg fire hazard, or just that I am going to get through oil more than I would otherwise?

[BOXY]

The space above the headlight switch was just another blank on mine. Maybe it's a slot for air-con controls or some other factory optional extra? The silver circle you can see in the photo is microphone I fitted for a hands-free phone kit I used to have.

To post a photo I upload the photo to Photobucket and then paste an IMG link into the post.

[mark]

devon fitted a warning light for the poptops on splits and bays, so you dont drive off with it up, im not sure about t25s though but worth a try

mark

[fullsunian]

devon fitted a warning light for the poptops on splits and bays, so you dont drive off with it up, im not sure about t25s though but worth a try

mark

I have never seen a warning lamp on a Devon T25 ref the pop top..
As Lee says, it sounds like you have an oil leak on to the heat exchangers, if your heating system works it could also mean that you get a bad oil burning smell through the vents on the dash..Most likley to be from the rocker cover gaskets or push rod tube seals..
Best get it sorted out soon, as I have seen one catch fire due to a very similiar leak..
IAN

[alkers]

Oooh, any idea how mmuch that might cost?

[..lee..]

to change the gaskets a garage should charge about an hours labour so it depends where you go. down here about £35 / hr. god know how much up with you.

if you need the tube seals doing aswell then they need doing at the same time. been a while since i did mine so i`m guessing 2 - 2.5hrs both jobs. if i remember correctly.

trouble is you`ll still get the smell and smoke because the heat exchangers are more than likely soaked with oil. only answer is to remove them and, if you plan on keeping the origonal heating system cleaning them VERY thoroughly. if not fit a pair of " j tubes " and run an aux heater like ebberspacher, webasto or propex.

the most important thing is. stop the fumes comming in to the van.

lee.

[kevtherev]

lights on the left .. handbrake warning lamp?

[alkers]

hooray a picture!! Anyway this is my beautiful dash. Can you see the biggreen light on the right? Betweenthe foglights and hazards. sorry, little arrows will be taking my expertise too far!!

Also on the left, there are 2 blanks above the headlamps. What are these?

Definately not handbrake warning, as it didn't work the other day when I drove about 3 miles with it on!! Oopps. I suppose I am a girl, but my excuse is that I am driving a hire car with one of those automatic handbrake releases, and have got into a bad habit. Too much technology!

My labour costs are about 50quid an hour. I think thats standard. Got someone servicing it on Friday - see what he can find.

He mentioned that when he last looked at it (2 years ago), he recalled an oil leak that came through the exhaust!?!? Said if thats still there (I've since had carbs refurbished - would that help?), only way to fix would be with new engine. I don't think I get blue smoke now though. Certainly not that I can see through my mirrors.

[fullsunian]

He mentioned that when he last looked at it (2 years ago), he recalled an oil leak that came through the exhaust!?!? Said if thats still there (I've since had carbs refurbished - would that help?), only way to fix would be with new engine. I don't think I get blue smoke now though. Certainly not that I can see through my mirrors.

Hi, that oil leak should not require a new engine so dont let anybody tell you that. At most it sounds like push rod tube seals, which is not a big or difficult job. Or the rocker cover gaskets and you change them anyways when you do the seals..
IAN