Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: toller on 15 November 2007, 12:11:18

Title: Billowing white smoke
Post by: toller on 15 November 2007, 12:11:18

Just had to empty my spark plug wells of oil until I can get round to getting some vectra cam covers as i'm convinced my plastic ones have had it.

Got as much of the oil out as I could before removing the spark plugs but obviously some oil will have gotten into the cylinders.  Anyway got it back to gether and started it up to be greeted by huge plumes of white smoke which I expected but after letting ti run for a while I then took it out and it was still bellowing white smoke but only when under load.  On looking in my rear view mirror the whole road lokoed like ti was engulfed in a pea souper :)

I've done the same thing in the past and I don't ever remeber it taking quite as long to burn off.  Is this normal or have a damaged something?

Title: Re: Billowing white smoke
Post by: Markie on 15 November 2007, 12:23:12

if youve cleaned out ouil from plug wells theres no doubting you need new cam covers...

Personally id be fitting genuine gm ones for the Omega but the solid vectra ones will work.

Worth retracing your steps and letting it run/ idle whilst keeping a close eye on it..

How is your idle?

Title: Re: Billowing white smoke
Post by: toller on 15 November 2007, 12:30:49

I have let it run up until the fan kicking in and it doesn't seem too bad now, it's idling ok and isn't making any weird noises so thats a good sign.

Plug leads are also knackered so just ordered a new set of those this morning.  

Is it actually worth getting the aluminium vectra covers or carrying on with the standard plastic ones?

Title: Re: Billowing white smoke
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 15 November 2007, 12:32:32

If it's running on all 6, then take it out for a damn good thrashing.. :)

Title: Re: Billowing white smoke
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 15 November 2007, 12:39:59

Yes, big exhaust which takes time to get totaly hot, cold days, lots of water produced by an efficient combustion process = lots of steam out the back.

Title: Re: Billowing white smoke
Post by: ians on 15 November 2007, 17:00:01

can you identify if it is oil fumes (usually darker - and should disappear quickly if it was due to seepage when you changed plugs),  or water vapour (condensation from exhaust), or (unlikely) petrol fumes?
You will expect to see water vapour especially in the current cold/damp weather.

Is it running smoothly? (not missing ).  If so, as James says, I'd take it for a good run, let it get up to temperature and see how it goes.