V6 - Blue smoke on very steep hills

[ddosdan]

G'day everyone.

Last weekend I was out doing some 4WD in VIC and came across an issue that I haven't seen mentioned here (at least I couldn't find it when I searched on this or most other forums that have the same engine). Basically I went up a very very steep climb (25-40 degree incline) and as I got to the steepest part a shitload of blue smoke came out of the exhaust so I assumed I cooked a seal or something had given. (Should be noted in 1st gear around 4500rpm)

Anyways got to the top and there was no more smoke and I haven't been able to repeat it (I didn't try driving back up any hills as steep either). I've since done around 400kms and driving the same as before and no smoke at all, this was the only incident.

So my question is, what could cause this? I'm leaning to believe that on very steep angles the surface of the oil in the sump sits high enough that some oil can be sucked in through intake valves. Anyone have any ideas or other places to check so I can inspect/replace anything if required

Cheers, Dan

[Gipsy]

Probably normal, as an engine ages it consumes more oil. Especially under load and/or revs. Keep an eye on your oil consumption but depending on how many kilometres you have up it will use oil and smoke a bit under load. On a steep incline you may get a collection of oil in the rocker covers which may get through the valve guides.

[Rob_Wood]

4500 is up there a bit, specially if it's a diesel???
Oil should NEVER get "sucked" in through intake valves, I'm not even sure what might lead you to be thinking this has happened? If it is happening, then you have serious issues and would be seeing exhaust smoke almost constantly.
A puff of smoke can happen sometimes from a slight overfilling that can sometimes happen with unusual operations, like when you put the vehicle at weird angles while working the engine.
From what you've told us I wouldn't be too concerned, but keep an eye open for reoccurrences.

[Gipsy]

No Rob v6

[Rob_Wood]

No Rob v6

I've just read the post again and I must be going blind, I still can't see where you got that info.

<EDIT> Recovery happening, it's in the heading.

[dave g]

Rob needs new glasses


Dan how many km on the car.
Had you been doing a long down hill before hand on engine braking.

[241steve]

as it was up the revs on a steep angle unless oil is disappearing I wouldn't worry about it the v6 will take a lot of abuse all Ive manged to do so far is strech the timing chains I rev the shit out of mine often

[Rob_Wood]

as it was up the revs on a steep angle unless oil is disappearing I wouldn't worry about it the v6 will take a lot of abuse all Ive manged to do so far is strech the timing chains I rev the shit out of mine often

Hhmmm, I wonder if my 5LE engine can be upgraded from a timing belt to a timing chain. I should ask about that one day.

[241steve]

Hhmmm, I wonder if my 5LE engine can be upgraded from a timing belt to a timing chain. I should ask about that one day.

from your post the other day Has your lux got a 150k k's left in it? Just do the belt if its due then worry about it in anouther 150k's if you still have it.

[Rob_Wood]

Hhmmm, I wonder if my 5LE engine can be upgraded from a timing belt to a timing chain. I should ask about that one day.

from your post the other day Has your lux got a 150k k's left in it? Just do the belt if its due then worry about it in anouther 150k's if you still have it.

Hahaha, yeah, kinda what I was thinking, did the belt at 300K, nearly up to 350, got another 100 to think about it. I was asking more out of interest than anything.

[ddosdan]

Rob needs new glasses


Dan how many km on the car.
Had you been doing a long down hill before hand on engine braking.

Just over 250000km. Yeah was about 5mins after a really steep downhill, using engine braking for most of it. Had about 5mins along a flat area prior to going up though. Didn't notice anything in that time.

[hiluxxury]

Probably valve seals. My old XC falcon did the same after going down long hills. Would often touch the throttle at the bottom and watch it belch blue smoke out the exhaust.