Smoke - 2002 Box (2.7l)

[larryshomework]

Went to drive my 02 Box tonight and noticed continual smoke coming from exhaust.

I can't tell the color very well but looks light gray and generally smells like exhaust that is a little heavy on fuel/oil.

I let the car run for a minute or so and the smoke continued at the same pace.

No CEL.

A thread search indicator AOS might be the culprit.

Does it sound like it would be safe to drive it to the shop (10-15 minute drive)?

Thanks for any input.

[larryshomework]

I forgot to add that the car was hard to start - at least 4 mis-starts where it would fire then quit very quickly.

[FrayAdjacent]

Could be AOS. Put it in service mode and check around the throttle body for oil drips.

If so, get it replaced. YESTERDAY.

[larryshomework]

Is this something that should be flatbedded to a mechanic?

I tried a diagnostic suggested in another thread - removed oil filler cap during idle - that just seemed to make it smoke more.

[FrayAdjacent]

Originally Posted by larryshomework

Is this something that should be flatbedded to a mechanic?

I tried a diagnostic suggested in another thread - removed oil filler cap during idle - that just seemed to make it smoke more.

If there's a problem with the AOS... worst case, it dumps oil into the intake, and a cylinder fills with oil. Then on the compression stroke the engine grenades because oil can't be compressed.

Yes, it's serious.

Of course, the problem could be something like a failing head gasket or valve cover seal.

[larryshomework]

Message received! Thanks.

I'm calling to see if my ext. warranty will cover the towing.

[racer_d]

I had smoke issue too. Thought it might be an AOS. Tried the ol "open the oil cap while the car is running trick" but nothing happened for me. Turned out to be an oil pressure switch had failed.

Do you have noticable oil stains under the car? Can you see where drips are coming from?

[CJ_Boxster]

Originally Posted by FrayAdjacent

If there's a problem with the AOS... worst case, it dumps oil into the intake, and a cylinder fills with oil. Then on the compression stroke the engine grenades because oil can't be compressed.

Yes, it's serious.

Of course, the problem could be something like a failing head gasket or valve cover seal.

Dont you mean valve seal?

[FrayAdjacent]

Originally Posted by CJ_Boxster

Dont you mean valve seal?

No. There would be the head gasket, the valve cover seal... the valve seals could be a culprit, but that's not what I was talking about.

There could be one of several things going on, and I think the OP's best course of action is to get the car to a wrench ASAP. Preferably without driving it.

[larryshomework]

Originally Posted by racer_d

I had smoke issue too. Thought it might be an AOS. Tried the ol "open the oil cap while the car is running trick" but nothing happened for me. Turned out to be an oil pressure switch had failed.

Do you have noticable oil stains under the car? Can you see where drips are coming from?

No oil stains under the car - no dripping that I can see.

I tried the car yesterday and no smoke at all. I let it run for about 10 minutes.

The night prior, it kept smoking the entire time the car was running.