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[gareth.]

Hi All

I have a smoke coming out of the bonnet,
obviously you can only detect this when the car is stationary.

I think I have a minor oil leak on the left hand side of the engine (looking from the front), and the oil is burning off on the hot parts of the engine.

I don't seem to have lost any oil, but I do believe I could be but it must be very very minor.

I dont know if it is related but I have a low amount of power steering fluid, about half a tank. But this is not changing i.e. I don't seem to be loosing any.

The engine temperature is fine and there is no overheating problem at all.

This is starting to drive me nuts, hope someone can help. 

[feeutfo]

Check plug wells for oil. Probably cam cover gaskets failed and leaking oil onto exhaust manifold heat shields. Miss fires to follow eventually as the oil damages the ht leads and affects the spark.
 Sadly the pas side is most awkward due to the cable tray, but there is a guide in maintanance section.

If so, make certain only genuine cam covers gaskits are used from a dealer, and that the breather system is cleaned out thoroughly, or early failure will result again.

Hth.

[fiend61]

^^^^^^^^^^  what mrgixer said 

[fiend61]

I dont know if it is related but I have a low amount of power steering fluid, about half a tank. But this is not changing i.e. I don't seem to be loosing any

get it topped up dex2 is what you need 

[jonnycool]

I think I have a minor oil leak on the left hand side of the engine (looking from the front), and the oil is burning off on the hot parts of the engine.

This is the driver's side then is it?

Sadly the pas side is most awkward due to the cable tray, but there is a guide in maintanance section.

If it's the driver's side it'll be easier to do 

[feeutfo]

I think I have a minor oil leak on the left hand side of the engine (looking from the front), and the oil is burning off on the hot parts of the engine.

This is the driver's side then is it?

Sadly the pas side is most awkward due to the cable tray, but there is a guide in maintanance section.

If it's the driver's side it'll be easier to do 

Aaeye. Well spotted. 

[GastronomicKleptomaniac]

While you're in there, you might as well renew both. And don't forget to clean the breathers.

[Kevin Wood]

I dont know if it is related but I have a low amount of power steering fluid, about half a tank. But this is not changing i.e. I don't seem to be loosing any

get it topped up dex2 is what you need 

Might be worth bearing in mind that the reservoir is only about half full when it's at the correct level, to allow room for expansion. There's a dip stick built into the lid for checking the level.

[Webby the Bear]

Hi guys,

As the OP states that he may have an oil leak yet hasn't lost any oil  is it possible that the ''smoke'' could be steam from a water leak?

I'm learning all this  but as there is no oil loss........?

If I'm well wrong feel free to highlight my error to everyone 

[GastronomicKleptomaniac]

Hi guys,

As the OP states that he may have an oil leak yet hasn't lost any oil  is it possible that the ''smoke'' could be steam from a water leak?

Could be - my HBV gave little puffs of "smoke" when it went.

[Webby the Bear]

Hi guys,

As the OP states that he may have an oil leak yet hasn't lost any oil  is it possible that the ''smoke'' could be steam from a water leak?

Could be - my HBV gave little puffs of "smoke" when it went.

I had a lot of steam which couldn't be distinguished between that and smoke! New HBV, All sorted! 

[hotel21]

I have the slightest of slight leaks from the rear of the drivers side bank of mine.  Enough to let me smell it and, if bonnet up, can see in the dark with a torch but no noticable oil use.

Would guess that it will survive until spring/summer, given the use that the car now gets as a weekend car so can see how oil level does not drop.

Still agree that its probably the cam cover gaskets.  Check the oil wells for oil as they can and do rubber duck leads/coil packs if they are left in hot oil and generate misfires....   

[gareth.]

Thanks

I have been topping up fortnightly with oil. and it does seem to be coming from the top gasket on the drivers side of the engine.

Went to put oil in on Friday and the oil was milky like cream! does this mean the HG is on it's way out and there is Water in the oil?

There is definately a leak from the engine too!

[hotel21]

You talking the oil on the dipstick or onside the filler neck?  If the latter, nit uncommon if car used on short journeys.  If the former....

This might be handy...

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90466.0

 

[gareth.]

It's in the filler neck, no sign of anything on dipstick! What can it be?