Smoke from engine? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Mgicm · 01-09-2015, 11:48 AM

Have a old 67 p10 stepvan and after running for about 15 mins..slight smoke coming from the engine bay. In these vans there is a flip up lid to get into the engine area...not very convenient. I assume it is coming from around the valve covers but i didnt have a good light to see down into the engine area. As im no mechanic, what should I be looking for...oil coming out from around the valve covers that may be hitting the exhaust manifold? Or is there some larger possible issue (bad). Sure appreciate any tips or advice.

GP

CST10 · 01-09-2015, 11:52 AM

That would be the first thing to check on, valve cover leaks.

Mgicm · 01-09-2015, 12:03 PM

not to sound dumb but what would i actually check ..to see if they are tight? I dont want to overtighten but i assume after 40+ years they could have some issue not fitting as expected. If that is not the issue what would be next areas to look at? There has not been work done on it in many months so i assume no oil has dripped anywhere from like an oil change.

MARKDTN · 01-09-2015, 12:19 PM

Need to look for fresh oil. Could be a valve cover gasket dried out and cracked. Could be a lot of things.

When you say smoke, is it white, gray, dark...? How much smoke-wisp, steady-smokestack...? What does it smell like(oil, antifreeze, electrical...)? Do you use it regularly or does it sit a lot? Original engine or later? What engine is it? Does it start/run OK or is it rough? Use more fuel or oil than usual or new sounds or other symptoms? That may help focus the diagnostics better.

geezer#99 · 01-09-2015, 12:21 PM

Get a good flashlight and a hand held mirror and find the source. Point the flashlight into the mirror at different angles around the motor.
No sense randomly tightening or changing anything until you know where the problem is.

Mgicm · 01-09-2015, 12:29 PM

Good points. I need a better light to get in there and see. Its not a plume of smoke like something is on fire but i see it and smell something. Truck sits and I start it about 1x a week. original motor from what i can tell - inline 6. runs well. since winter is here i dont get to it as much as i used to.

I will first locate where the issue is and reply when I have more info.. sure appreciate it.

01-09-2015, 11:48 AM	#1
Mgicm Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Nashville, tn Posts: 163	Smoke from engine? Have a old 67 p10 stepvan and after running for about 15 mins..slight smoke coming from the engine bay. In these vans there is a flip up lid to get into the engine area...not very convenient. I assume it is coming from around the valve covers but i didnt have a good light to see down into the engine area. As im no mechanic, what should I be looking for...oil coming out from around the valve covers that may be hitting the exhaust manifold? Or is there some larger possible issue (bad). Sure appreciate any tips or advice. GP

01-09-2015, 11:52 AM	#2
CST10 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Gonzales, La Posts: 1,441	Re: Smoke from engine? That would be the first thing to check on, valve cover leaks. __________________ MyToys: Goldilocks the "Ol School Survivor" 1968 C10, SWB Stepside, 08/15 TOTM, 250 CI 6 cylinder, 3 on the tree, 3.73 rear, 3/5 static drop, 23,500 original miles. Samson the 1970 CST10, LWB, 462Ci, Turbo 350 tranny, 3.08 rear gear, PB, PS, A/C, AM/FM, 2/4 Drop. Brutus the 1998 Camaro Z28, 33,500 original miles, LS1, 519 RWHP/497 RWTQ. Member of the Louisiana Classic Truck Club, LCTC Member of the Louisiana C10 Club Member of the Baton Rouge Drifters Car Club

01-09-2015, 12:03 PM	#3
Mgicm Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Nashville, tn Posts: 163	Re: Smoke from engine? not to sound dumb but what would i actually check ..to see if they are tight? I dont want to overtighten but i assume after 40+ years they could have some issue not fitting as expected. If that is not the issue what would be next areas to look at? There has not been work done on it in many months so i assume no oil has dripped anywhere from like an oil change.

01-09-2015, 12:19 PM	#4
MARKDTN Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 2,142	Re: Smoke from engine? Need to look for fresh oil. Could be a valve cover gasket dried out and cracked. Could be a lot of things. When you say smoke, is it white, gray, dark...? How much smoke-wisp, steady-smokestack...? What does it smell like(oil, antifreeze, electrical...)? Do you use it regularly or does it sit a lot? Original engine or later? What engine is it? Does it start/run OK or is it rough? Use more fuel or oil than usual or new sounds or other symptoms? That may help focus the diagnostics better. __________________ '83 K20-TPI '73 C10 '79 C10-ex-diesel(SOLD) '07 Tahoe(Son driving) '14 Suburban-DD '71 C10-current project

01-09-2015, 12:21 PM	#5
geezer#99 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bowser Posts: 13,542	Re: Smoke from engine? Get a good flashlight and a hand held mirror and find the source. Point the flashlight into the mirror at different angles around the motor. No sense randomly tightening or changing anything until you know where the problem is.

01-09-2015, 12:29 PM	#6
Mgicm Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Nashville, tn Posts: 163	Re: Smoke from engine? Good points. I need a better light to get in there and see. Its not a plume of smoke like something is on fire but i see it and smell something. Truck sits and I start it about 1x a week. original motor from what i can tell - inline 6. runs well. since winter is here i dont get to it as much as i used to. I will first locate where the issue is and reply when I have more info.. sure appreciate it.



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