Thoughts on smoking from under hood

[Butters]

My 2003 renegade is smoking from under the hood after warming up. The smoke comes from behind the cylinder head(s).

I was so certain that the VCG had gone and was dripping oil onto the exhaust (smells of oil). I also read that the VCG is a common fail point. The car is 10 years old but only 75k miles.

I replaced the VCGs and PCV valve (broke it - oops), and it still smokes much to my dismay. Oil consumption is manageable, no milkiness of oil, no coolant contamination. Not overheating or any other symptoms. I'm trying to avoid shop labor but now I'm worried about rear main seal, or could this be coming from the HG? I made an account here just to ask. Any advice is much appreciated.

 

[Butters]

http://www.jeepkj.com/forum/f196/annoying-oil-leak-smoke-50550/

Looks like exact issue as this link. No resolution though. Ugh.

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

http://www.jeepkj.com/forum/f196/annoying-oil-leak-smoke-50550/

Looks like exact issue as this link. No resolution though. Ugh.

Actually if you check the last post in that thread the original poster (OP) did resolve the issue by changing the valve cover gasket.

When you replaced yours did you scrape off the residue from the head and the valve cover? And did you replace the grommets that fit in the gasket around the bolt holes? Could also be that the gasket on the other bank needs replaced too but the smoke isn't obvious except when you're at a stop and you smell it. I replaced the passenger side on mine after doing the driver's side when I realized that both were bad (I could see the driver's side drips but didn't see the passenger side - I could only smell the smoke.)

There could also be residual oil on the exhaust manifold that's still burning away. Other than the valve cover gasket and the head itself there is no place else for the oil to come from and also drop on the Cat and O2 sensor. The O2 sensor itself has no way to create burnt oil smoke.

Bob

 

[Butters]

When you replaced yours did you scrape off the residue from the head and the valve cover? And did you replace the grommets that fit in the gasket around the bolt holes? Could also be that the gasket on the other bank needs replaced too but the smoke isn't obvious except when you're at a stop and you smell it.

I had a bad feeling about the grommets... I did not replace them, I couldn't see how to possibly do it and didn't have much time to experiment and risk more downtime. Any tips or guidance on how those go in & out? I suppose just jam them from the inside out to remove? Looked extremely tight but I suppose I'll have to yank everything out again and go for it.

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

I had a bad feeling about the grommets... I did not replace them, I couldn't see how to possibly do it and didn't have much time to experiment and risk more downtime. Any tips or guidance on how those go in & out? I suppose just jam them from the inside out to remove? Looked extremely tight but I suppose I'll have to yank everything out again and go for it.

Yeah, the grommets look like they're impossible to take off and put on - but they actually come off really easily and pop right back on. The new ones won't be deformed and will take you back to factory.

Kind of a :favorites68: to have to take the covers off again but hopefully the grommets will do the trick.

Bob

 

[Butters]

Yeah, the grommets look like they're impossible to take off and put on - but they actually come off really easily and pop right back on. The new ones won't be deformed and will take you back to factory.

Kind of a :favorites68: to have to take the covers off again but hopefully the grommets will do the trick.

Bob

I think I will just do the passenger side and see if that does the trick. Having pulled it once, the second time around shouldn't be so bad. I'll report back.