Smoking oil cap...

Hi All

I've just noticed a smoking oil cap, and after a search on here had a bit of a look about the engine - as far as I dare.

Someone mentioned that the head gasket could have gone - I've checked the coolant and oil, and have lost no water, but oil is down to the lower notch on the dipstick.

The air filter was literally drenched in oil, as shown in the pics attached, so I tracked the pipework back and found the air filter to turbo hose had perished around the jubilee clip....

Tracking back further, I removed the hose from the air cleaner to the top left of the engine (as looking at it front in front of the bonnet) and saw oil in there too. I started the engine, and watched white smoke blow from that area - pic attached as well.

Obviously, I need to change the hose and filter, and clean all the pipes out. Would this white smoke indicate that the breather is blocked, and if so, where the hell is it and how would I clean it out properly?

Failing that, what else could cause this problem? I'm hoping its not too serious or time consuming, as we've a camping holiday booked shortly....

Cheers in advance!

MM

is there pressure blowing out with filler cap removed,oil from breather should seperate in cyclone bolted to rocker cover and drop back into block ,is cyclone working properly,pressure can be from past the pistons or through one if crown has crack ,head gasket ,or leaking servo or pipe as vac pump exhausts into block

I've just been out to check, and with filler cap off and engine running, there's a 'phut phut' sound.... I'm assuming thats normal...

I can easily put my hand over where the filler cap goes and block it - there appears to be no pressure....

id say either head gasket or exhaust valve not opening at all or fully check valve clearance with rocker cover off push rods can bend valve caps can break

So its not likely to be a blocked breather?

Would the vehicle be ok to drive for short hops too and from work? Or should I get this sorted immediately....

Would using some form of stop smoke product cause this?

Silly questions I know, but I'm very new to this....

fault needs finding whip rocker cover off and check valves opening correctly

So I'd just remove the bolt in the middle of the cover?

What would I be looking for...All valves moving? Would I start the engine with the rocker cover off to see this?

3 bolts on cover plus cyclone etc, you can turn engine over by hand and check they all open fully ,caps still on end of valves etc

Ok. I'll try that now!

OK.... rocker cover is off, valves look OK at first glance. .. Next daft question.... how do I turn engine by hand? seems very stiff, assuming I'm doing it properly.....

socket on crank puley nut,pull wire off injection pump solenoid and geet someone to turn it on key

Right. Thanks so far, I appreciate it. Done that, all seems OK. Got missus to turn engine over, and one valve is blowing.... How much of a job is that for a novice, and how much is it likely to cost!

blowing or not opening

Blowing - Its whats giving the 'phut phut' sound.....

a bit more info that noise occurs when they dont open as well, what can you see with valves all working the same correctly all have freeplay when shut

They all looked like they opened and shut, with a little freeplay when the engine was off - but not a lot at all....

sounds like you will have to remove head

Bugger. Expensive garage job?

how good with spanners and instructions are you

Pretty reasonable....