Club 80-90 Forums

I get smoke after the overrun when I open the throttle. Someone said this engine does not have valve seals just valve guides. Are these hard to replace? I use 15/40 approved oil. Van runs really well apart from this and I now just drive in nutural on downhill sections. Any advice please.

What colour smoke are you getting? Is your oil level dropping? I'm not sure what good you think coasting downhill is doing and it's a bit dangerous to be out of gear. If anything driving gently in gear downhill is a good way to cool down the engine after it heats up on the climb.

Thanks for this. It’s whitish smoke. The reason I coast, even though I know it’s not good, is if I don’t when I put my foot back in the throttle I get a plume or smoke. If I am on the over run for just a short time it’s not much but if longer there is a lots of smoke. It stops once the engine engages again. It does it even if the engine isn’t braking loads. Eg a gentle downhil where brakes or throttle are not needed. As soon as I go back to the throttle smoke. I’m guessing it’s sucking oil into the pistons and then quickly burning that off. A compression test says all is fine. I want to get it sorted but wondered how complicated it is. Not for me but for the mechanic. I’m thinking money.
Thanks for your reply I hope this gives more info.

Ps not burning much oil.

Are you having to top up coolant or is your coolant header tank filling with air? White smoke can indicate a compression seal gone on one of the barrels.

I would suspect it's coolant burning

Thanks reply’s.
No not having to top up with coolant. How would I know if air was getting in?. Is the header tank the one in the engine not the overflow tank.
So what test do I need to check this. As I say a compression test isnt bringing anything up.
I want to sort it as I love my van and it runs really well.
Thank you and much appreciated.

If your engine is smoking you're either burning oil or you're 'burning' coolant. Neither is an easy fix. A good compression test result would indicate it's probably the latter. The header tank is the one in the engine bay that is not the overflow tank. It should be filled right up to the top  with coolant at all times. If you're not getting exhaust gasses in the header tank you're probably burning oil.

Has the oil breather pipe and tower been checked, sometimes the hose from it collapses or becomes clogged, not sure if this is a factor but would have a look at it anyway.

Thanks everyone. My van is going in tomorrow so I’ll let you know the results. The engine is going to be stripped down

Good luck! Hope you are taking it to someone who knows their way around the WBX.
I'd say possible broken oil control ring(s). Is it breathing much?

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Let us know how you get on and what the problem was. Nice to meet you on the campsite at the weekend
David.