This is the first time I have had the problem(first car that has had the problem, anyway), so PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong, but as I understand it, if you are burning Oil, then the smoke out of your exhaust should be blue. But I am rapidly losing Oil, and whenever I idle and ONLY when I idle, I am getting alot of WHITE smoke out of my exhaust. The longer I idle, teh more smoke, it's reallly bad at stop lights(especially seeing as I'm in a Metro area), and one of these days I'm going to be sitting at a light with a cop behind me and coat his car with the stuff, and deal with whatever fines are associated. My coolant is at the same level it has been since I bought the car, so I doubt that.

I really need help with this. I did I tune-up after I first bought the car, and noticed Oil collecting around teh Spark Plugs, which I was certain was teh Valve-cover gasket at fault. Noticing teh smoke, I figured it must be oil leaking through teh spark plugs or something, so I quickly replaced teh valve cover gaskets, and for a few days, I had no issues. But now, two months later, the smoke is back, and in full force. Most I could guess is that teh fifth cylinder is leaking compression, it gets to 90psi just as teh others do, but slowly leaks off. This could be as simple as a cheap compression tester(I used teh college automotive one), or it could be(my guess) bad rings on teh fifth cylinder piston. I don't have teh time or money to do an engine overhaul at this time, and would appreciate any other ideas before I rip my engine apart just to find out it was something else after all.

Please? T_T

 

I would guess that it is your valve stem seals. All cylinders have 90psi on the compression test? Is your car a TT?

 

Check the color of your oil, that can make a difference indiagnosis between something minor, to essentially having to get a new engine block. Normally white smoke is associated with burning off coolant which is leaking into engine via cracked block, blown head gasket, or something else fairly major.

 

It's an ES...what is teh compression supposed to be at?

and teh oil on teh dipstick is teh same Gold color as when it's poured out of teh bottle, and again, I'm not losing coolant.

and how much is a good compression tester? I figure if I get a good quality one, I can check the compression for sure while making certain wether the fifth cylinder has a leak or not...

 

The stock compression on a new DOHC engine is around 180. Using the same compression tester you used before, put a little oil in a cylinder and recheck the compression, if it increases significantly, it is an indicator that your rings are getting worn. Do a google search for "leak down test." Another good way to check your engine.

 

What's the best place to get them from? I've always gone through Napa, but they'd take a week minimum to get here, and I figure if I need to wait, I may as well get the best quality. Any suggestions?

And how difficult a process is it going to be to replace these? I assume I'm going to need to remove teh heads, or is it not too absurd to hope for a simpler method of doing this?

 

What are you going to replace??

 

the valve stem seals. Napa has them listed for $2.60 a piece, which is a bit expensive for all 24, but worth it if it'll stop losing so much oil

 

Yeap....white smoke indicates you're loosing cooland and when I had that problem I took it straight to the shop.
1300$ got the heads rebuild , new pulleys, water pump, belts and all kind of other stuff. I got a good deal.

Mark the cooland level with a marker and check it gradualy.....mine was completely got after one month...specialy when turning the heater on.

The only problem with the shop is that it took them more then a week to get all that stuff done...they did it right and good...but took time. Be prepared to have the car in shop for at least 3 to 5 days.

 

and what if I'm losing no coolant, whatsoever?