Quick diagnosis needed - smoking Sierra!

[laser wheels]

I would be most grateful if any of you fine shiteists could lend an opinion on something. Recently I have been getting the occasional puff of white smoke from the back end of the Sierra. It only ever happens if I have taken a short trip then left the car for a bit. When I start it up again there will be a big puff of smoke then all is fine. It never happens if the car has been left for much of the day, or first in the morning. It is only after a a short time standing. For example, if I drive the 5 miles to work in the morning, park at work, then start up the car at lunchtime I will most probably get a blow of smoke. If I leave the car all day - say 8 hours - then no problem then.

 

It's definitely just one big puff then nothing else. I'm most definitely not chugging away down the road behind clouds of smoke! My first thought is 'valve stem seals' but I always thought this would cause the afore mentioned comedy smoke screen, rather then just a single occasional puff. Is it just the short journeys that could be causing this?

 

All opinions gratefully received!

[andy18s]

sounds like the stem seals.rings would be smoking all the time its running

you only get a puff every now and then as it may be only 1 or 2 that are weeping,and as the engine stops at a different part of it's cycle each time it's turned off

Easy enough to change them on cvh or pinto engine with the head left on

checked the plugs?

[laser wheels]

Thanks!

 

Haven't checked plugs yet but have a new set ready to go on so will soon find out.

[Stixy]

Autobox working ok ?     check your gearbox fluid  

 

 there is a vacum modulator valve on the side of the gearbox and when the fail they can let atf into the inlet system 

 

Valve stem seals is allways blue 

[twosmoke300]

Brake fluid from a dodgy servo/master cylinder?

[Cavcraft]

Is it a 1.8?  If so I would refer you to the case of They All Do That Vs Castrol's Finest, circa 1987.

[twosmoke300]

1.8 cvh ? That model did that sir , as mentioned above

[purplebargeken]

Yep with the 1.8. Renowned for it. 

[laser wheels]

Autobox working ok ?     check your gearbox fluid  

 

 there is a vacum modulator valve on the side of the gearbox and when the fail they can let atf into the inlet system 

 

Valve stem seals is allways blue 

 

Did not know about that, oil level looks fine, but could no doubt need a change as with almost everything else. Pretty sure smoke isn't blue, definitely more white/light grey(ish).

 

Brake fluid from a dodgy servo/master cylinder?

 

Thanks for the tip will add to list of things to check when brakes/fluid refreshed very soon.

 

Is it a 1.8?  If so I would refer you to the case of They All Do That Vs Castrol's Finest, circa 1987.

 

 

1.8 cvh ? That model did that sir , as mentioned above

 

 

Yep with the 1.8. Renowned for it. 

 

Nope 2.0 Pinto on this one but I will file that information away for later use!