Loss of power, smoke

OLIVER BROOK

MEMBER
2012 HOLDEN CRUZE
1.4L
4 CYL
AUTOMATIC
70,000 MILES

Car drives fine until it’s about up to temperature. Then it often periodically loses power, then a strange loud ticking/tapping sound comes from the engine along with a HUGE amount of blue smoke from the exhaust pipe. But this all only lasts for a few seconds but it happens often. I’m sure it’s not anything like rod knock. The intake pipes are also full of oil.

But possibly sticking valves? Or a turbo problem? PCV valve seems to be fine as well.

Thanks

3 Replies

SCGRANTURISMO

MECHANIC
4,897 POSTS

Hello,

Blue smoke is engine oil that is being burnt in your vehicle's combustion chambers. If your vehicle has a turbo on it then it is going to be the output shaft seal on it that is failing. This lip seal is responsible for keeping the oil in the turbo's crankcase where the gears are and if it fails the engine oil lubricating the gears will leak into the compressor wheel and get compressed with the incoming air and get introduced into the engine that way. I hope this helps.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros

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Sunday, December 22nd, 2019 AT 1:13 AM

OLIVER BROOK

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Yup, thanks for that. I will check the turbo. But would a blown turbo explain the tick/tapping sound from the engine?

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Sunday, December 22nd, 2019 AT 11:57 AM

SCGRANTURISMO

MECHANIC
4,897 POSTS

Hello,

Yes, it could. This is because your vehicle is probably low on engine oil and you are hearing the valvetrain ticking from lack of lubrication. I would verify the engine oil level on your vehicle's dipstick and ensure that it is filled up properly.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros

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Sunday, December 22nd, 2019 AT 4:22 PM