What is this smoke?

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lightning

lightning

Well-Known Member
Posts
4,238
Location
High Peak
I have just done 400 miles in my 110 TD5 Defender and after l stopped l checked the oil, when l pulled the dipstick out there was a white smoke came from the hole.
So l took off the oil filler cap and there was smoke there too.
The oil and water levels are normal.
What is this smoke l am seeing?
 
If you only use a vehicle for short runs the oil emulsifies and causes the yellowy gack you get inside the rocker cover, basically that is just moisture (condensation) in the oil, a good run at normal operating temperature boils the water out of the oil and blows it out the breather system, what you are seeing is probably the water vapour from this process.
 
The oil has got a hard job to do inside the engine, running at extreme temperatures and pressure, being minced to within a molecule of its life by engine parts, getting blasted by combustion blow by. A bit of oil mist in the engine is normal. But if you think its excessive check the coolant header tank for oil film, indicating transfer between the coolant and oil.
 
Crankcase oil vapour totally normal, for a giggle you can light the vapour, but you do so at your own risk!
 
lynall said:
Crankcase oil vapour totally normal, for a giggle you can light the vapour, but you do so at your own risk!
Click to expand...


Lol.

"Ring, ring...Hello emergency, which service do you require...?"

"Um fire brigade please...!"

:D
 
I used to do it as a kid when I had motorbiks through the oil filler in the clutch housing!
 
Well that makes me feel better, thought the engine was toast when l saw the smoke.
It does get used for short journeys all day and rarely gets a good run.
 
Boom baby

Some of the trucks are well worn and the breather pipe is almost like a mini steam train, I might get my lighter out tonight and blame the new bloke whos got to work with me, look what youve done now:D
 
I checked again and it's not steam, the coolant looks OK with no sign of oil in the header tank and the engine oil level is stable with no sign of diesel in the oil. Putting a hand over the oil filler does net reveal any excess pressure.
I changed the oil about 4,000 miles ago and used Mannol synthetic 15w/40 so that should be OK as l believe Mannol is reasonable quality oil.
 
Happy days! I take it you did not try Lynall's test and you've still got both your eyebrows.
 
its just oil vapour, and if you only do short runs, then it will probably have some water vapour in it too.

lightning said:
Well that makes me feel better, thought the engine was toast when l saw the smoke.
It does get used for short journeys all day and rarely gets a good run.
Click to expand...

Good excuse for a longer run or two then - tis good for it !!
 
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