Big Smoke on Startup

**101RRS** · 5th December 2008, 06:28 PM

Due to the hard climate for batteries in Canberra, I have had the batteries removed from my 101 since mid year and on a trickle charge. As such the engine (77 3.5 V8) has not been run since May.

Today I put the batteries back in an attempted start up - initially the starter could not turn over the motor but after a couple of goes it loosened up and fired - however it belched out really thick smoke (whiteish blue stuff) - enough to smoke ou the whole neighbourhood. After warming up and off choke it still continued to smoke in a big way. Water level is fine - no issues there.

I then switched off and left the engine for half an hour and then tried a restart - fired first go and no smoke - running nice and sweet on both petrol and LPG - smoke gone.

I am assuming I have some sort of valve stem seal issue - any other thoughts or do I have a bigger issue.

Also - the starter sometimes does not engage the flywheel - other times no problems (batteries are fully charged and relatively new). Is this symtomatic of a tired starter or something else.

Cheers

Garry

**JDNSW** · 5th December 2008, 07:53 PM

I am not really familiar with the V8, but I suspect you are right about the valve stem seals.

The starter, according to my information has a solenoid engagement mechanism, which means that the failure to engage is either the solenoid sticking (very unlikely if it is actualting the starter) or more likely the free wheel clutch assembly is on the way out, for which replacement Of that not the whole starter) is the only fix.

If my information is wrong (the only book I have is the V8 in the 110, and it may be different) and it has an inertia engagement starter, it will be that the spiral the pinion runs on is either oily and dirty or rusty - just needs pulling apart and cleaning and coating with dry graphite.

John

**PAT303** · 5th December 2008, 07:55 PM

If it hasn't been started in that long a time I wouldn't worry.The motor is no doubt past it's best but leaking valve stem seals is a LR thing,2.25's still do it after fitting new ones, I would just drive it.The starter motor sticking is a very common thing,the kick-out gear binds to the shaft,I see it all the time on site vehicles. Pat

**Blknight.aus** · 5th December 2008, 08:00 PM

dry rings and stem seals....

whats happened is this, when youve started it the rings have been stuck in position and the stem seals would have been dry. oil has worked past them and accounts for your blue smoke. once you turned it off the oil that was there and a little heat soak time has freed up the rings and let the oil work into the valve stem seals the next go since everything that was ment to be sealing was sealing there was no excessive oil to be burnt.

you should see what comes out of an engine thats been mothballed properly...

that said next time youve got to store an engine for a long time take out the plugs drop some 80/90 (bout a teaspoon) into each pot and bar the engine over by hand for a couple of revolutions, vasaline the plug threads and then put them back in without putting the leads back on. when it comes time to fire it up remove the plugs, put some light machine oil in each hole (1/2 a teaspoon) bar the engine over a few turns, crank it on the starter then put the plugs and leads back. go again, it'll smoke for a couple of minutes and then come good.

**101RRS** · 5th December 2008, 09:09 PM

Thanks to everyone for the comments - confirms my thoughts as well - I guess I should pull out the starter motor and give it a service - I will start the engine up regularly now and see how we go - hopefully everything should settle backin as the engine does run very sweet - just needs a tune-up which will be one of the last things to do.

Cheers

Garry

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