I recently had an oil leak repaired on my '98 Nissan Sentra. However, now my car seems to be burning oil like crazy -- they gave it an oil change, but it burned it all up and I had to add a quart. This morning I noticed the oil was low again and added some more. In addition, I've noticed exhaust smoke coming from back there, especially when the car has been idle for a few minutes. Any advice? Is this normal for a car after a leak has been fixed? (P.S. -- The leak HAS been sealed, it was literally dripping onto the ground and the timing chain had splattered it all over the place.)
2006-08-15 08:27:54 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Here's what I think happened....
You stated that there was a leak and that it around the timing chain. This suggests that the timing chain broke, slipped or is extremely loose. I know for a fact that Nissan motors uses some pretty flakey timing chain tensioners that are made of plastic. Should your timing chain break or slip enough to cause the car to 'jump time' then you are in real trouble. Most of Nissan's motors are interference motors which means that if it's not timed right, the piston can smash into the valve which can then do major damage such as cracking the piston or medium damage such as bending a valve. I suspect you have a bent valve that has destroyed the valve seal. Or.. just a bad valve seal. The oil smoke you are seeing is caused by leaking past this bad seal and into the engine. The reason it smokes the most after it is idleing is due to the fact the oil is dripping into the cylinder but not fully burning until you step on the gas and rev the engine up.
The signs you are seeing are not good and this motor is going to need an overhaul very soon. I suggest you get it to a mechanic NOW before the condition worsens and the engine completely comes apart and then you'll just have lot of scrap iron instead of a car.
Good luck!
2006-08-15 08:40:55 · answer #1 · answered by wrkey 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you still have a leak, but into the pistons where the oil is burned and causes the smoke in your exhaust. You'll need to have your piston rings checked and perhaps some other seals to make sure they are sealing. A compression check would also help tell you which cylinder to look at for leaks as low compression would indicate a leak. All of these will be fairly expensive operations (if they have to take your engine apart to change pistion rings) so you might think about some temporary fixes with one of those oil additives that promises "no smoke" while you look into getting a new car, depending on your situation. With an internal leak like that you won't see it drip to the ground.
2006-08-15 08:36:44 · answer #2 · answered by snwbrder0721 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like your piston rings are gone . oil is gettin by the rings and blowing out the exhaust I dont think it was an oil leak that they fixed sounds like you needed a timing chain after a few years or 100,000 miles they stretch or wear the gears off. they mat have well fixed your leak but when the timing chain blew some of your cylinders may have come into contact with the engines overhead valves not a good thing
After idling for a few minutes there is an even higher concentration of oil at the top end of your motor where so when you take off again there is black smoke cuz that oil is mixed into your fuel/air mixture better get rid of that ride or the repairs might be more than the ride is worth
2006-08-15 08:42:55 · answer #3 · answered by ronimxcon1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well if the smoke is white that means there is a pretty serious amoutn of oil burning. A little oil could be due to a valve seal leaking a lot could be a cracked piston or broken piston ring. Either one is not good by any means and pretty expensive to fix.
also be sure the oil is coming from out of teh exhast it maybe that the oil maybe leaking from maybe the head unto the exhast manifold and causing smoke to come out from the engine compartment.
2006-08-15 08:33:44 · answer #4 · answered by Briggs 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You didn't mention the weight of you motor oil. Because of the age of your car, It sounds like you may be having what is called blow-by past the rings. Try going with a heavier oil next time you change it, but in the meantime put a bottle of heavy oil additive in it. I think this should solve your problem, or atleast help it. Prolong use of an engine with low oil creates additional wear on your piston rings. Hope this works for you., Good Luck
2006-08-15 08:38:34 · answer #5 · answered by rookiewriter 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have another problem, the oil isn't leaking onto the ground it is coming through the manifold and being burned in your exhaust. Take it back to the shop asap.
2006-08-15 08:33:21 · answer #6 · answered by hmb9605 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well its clear that not all of the problem has been fixed. Usually oil leaks smoke from the engine compartment (because thats where the oils burning). It sounds like youre burning oil in the engine itself, which would make your exhaust smoke like that. most likely its your orings on your cylenders.
2006-08-15 08:33:32 · answer #7 · answered by Kyle M 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you should have mentioned what color smoke it is. if it's white, most likely your main seal is shot, and water is getting in the oil. if it's blue, and you have over 60,000 miles on the car, get used to adding oil, cause it's burning it. only cure is an engine rebuild.
2006-08-15 08:33:31 · answer #8 · answered by bakbiter 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ditto with the 1st answer, classic sign of a blown head gasket. you additionally can decide to ascertain the oil and spot if it appears like chocolate milk, if it does. stop utilising the motor vehicle and function it towed to the fix shop. The chocolate milk seem exhibits water is jumbled in with the oil.
2016-10-02 03:10:50 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
GET A COMPRESSION CHECK THAT WILL TELL A LOT.
2006-08-15 08:33:22 · answer #10 · answered by b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋