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I have a '91 EJ22 engine installed in my '89 VW Vanagon that is blowing some smoke at start up. It doesn't happen every time. The engine was rebuilt a couple of years ago and maybe has 15-20,00 miles on it. The compression has been checked and results were -

#1 - 142
#2 - 137
#3 - 145
#4 - 134

Keep in mind that I am at 9,500 feet in elevation. I believe the compression correction to my elevation should be

#1 - 189
#2 - 182
#3 - 193
#4 - 178

When I checked the compression, I removed the intake "hose" from throttle body and found some oil sitting on the lip of the intake hose right where it mounts to the throttle body. The PCV valve was changed about a year ago. Brake booster is a long way away from the engine and lines appear to be free of any brake fluid residue.

What can be causing this occasional smoking at start up? To me it seems the obvious thing is the oil that is in the intake from Im assuming the PCV breathing system. Since I have a new PCV valve what else can cause oil to get up into the intake? Any other thoughts?

Many thanks in advance.

Ryan

Those numbers look alright. Any oil from the PCV system would not likely pool unless things are not plumbed properly, or you just have A LOT of oil or bad PCV valve.

Bad valve seals may let oil seap onto the valves.

What kind and weight oil are you using?

this might not solve your problem but i dont think you could go wrong with an oil catch can

Legacy777 wrote:Those numbers look alright. Any oil from the PCV system would not likely pool unless things are not plumbed properly, or you just have A LOT of oil or bad PCV valve.

Bad valve seals may let oil seap onto the valves.

What kind and weight oil are you using?

I am using 10w-40. How can you test a PCV valve? I just replaced it last summer with a new OE valve. Are there any pics of the plumbing of the PCV system?

Any way to check the valve seals with out disassembling the engine?

WagALeg92 wrote:this might not solve your problem but i dont think you could go wrong with an oil catch can

What is this oil catch can? Never heard of it. Where would it be installed?

If you just replaced the PCV valve, it's likely ok.

The PCV system on the non-turbo cars are pretty straight forward. Here's the diagram.
http://main.experiencetherave.com/subar ... system.jpg

As for the valve seals, no, there's no way to check the valve seals without pulling the heads. It'd be difficult to check with the heads in the car since the valve springs have to be removed.

an oil catch can intercepts the line from your pcv valve and your intake and it catches any oil that comes out of your pcv valve instead if it going back in your intake its really ment for turbo cars but it cant hurt if your pcv valve is bad youlle see oil in the catch can

My vote would be valve seals as well. Seen it on quite a few other vehicles before, and it is pretty much exactly as described.