Can't figure out what might have happened??!!??

[StretchedHarley]

O.k so I was on my way to Portland this morning and went with no problems at all. Took care of my business and got back on the Highway and did not notice a single thing wrong with it at all.

About 3/4 of the way up the big hill I look in my rearview mirror and notice quite a bit of light blueish smoke coming out of both pipes. I look down at my gagues and everything looks good, oil pressure up, coolant temp normal, fuel pressure good.

I let off the gas and get back on it and nothing....keep going and then got to the top of the hill and smoke starts coming out the back again. Look down gagues still good.....hmmmmmmmm

So I pull into the AM/PM and pop the hood up and there's a bit of smoke under the hood but I see absolutely nothing and the car is not smoking anymore. So I wait for about a half hour and fire it up and get back on the highway and about 15 mins later it smoked again...I am so confussed as I can't figure out what's going on and don't see anything under the hood that looks out of place and the motor runs like normal.

I drive a '92 Mustang LX with no major mods or anything at all other then headers.

 

[Bolt on 5.0]

Youll have more of a load on your engine heading up a hill. How many miles are on the car. Any check engine light. Sounds like your burning oil

 

[StretchedHarley]

The motor has about 120k on it with no check engine lights on it. I really appreciate all imput.

 

[HISSIN50]

Take a look at the crankcase ventilation system (read the PCV screen and valve). If pressure in the crankcase backs up, the pressure can start to find the next path of least resistance......... RMS, etc.
Good luck.

 

[StretchedHarley]

Awwwww o.k I think I am following you, so please forgive me as I am new to these cars is this something that comes out of the valve cover? Can you tell me where on the motor I might be able to find this?

 

[HISSIN50]

The PCV is on the back side of the lower intake. I access it from the driver's side. You have to either be Minute Bol, use a step ladder or lay over the engine to actually see it. Otherwise, you can feel for it.

I'm sure Mustang 5L5 or one of the other guys will put up a picture of it for you. I suck at describing things like this. The valve has a hose on it (approx 3/8" ID). Then there's the valve, grommet and below the grommet is the screen. I remove the screen with a pair of long needlenose pliers, though some use a drywall screw or magnet.

WHile in there, I'd replace all the stuff anyhow. The valve, grommet and screen (sometimes called a breather) are 20 bucks or so at the dealer. Ford PCV valves tend to fit better than aftermarket stuff.

Good luck.

 

[Blackonblack50]

The PCV is on the back of the lower intake. You will have to feel around for it. There is a hose running to it. The the PCV. Oh it's in a large grommet. I have to agree I think you may be burning oil.

 

[StretchedHarley]

Burning oil in like bad rings, or where do you think the I might be buring it because the filter is clogged?

 

[HISSIN50]

Burning oil in like bad rings, or where do you think the I might be buring it because the filter is clogged?

I wont speak for others, but I was thinking that you were pushing oil past a seal and it was hitting the exhaust (one drop of oil makes a huge plume of smoke). You noted that it looked like it was coming out of the tailpipes, but the contrail might take that path since the exhaust is the catalyst. What caught my attention is that I think you said you noted a bit of smoke under the hood when you popped it.

Ring seal could be an issue as well - it just wasnt my first thought. The PCV is easier to deal with and rule out.

Good luck.

 

[JChalfan]

Hissin50, I was thinking the same thing. If he is burning oil in the engine, none should have come out when he opened the hood. I have had oil burning on the exhaust before, and while driving down the freeway, it looks for all the world like it's coming out of the exhaust.

Stretchedharley, maybe crawl under the car and see if any oil has been burning on the exhaust, h-pipe maybe.

Jeff