I know this topic has been brought up alot but all the examples hasnt really touched on my probs in a nutshell!!!

My Sunny in the morning blows an incredible amount of smoke when i start it up and when reving increases as the RPM's do aswell, this dies down after awhile but it still continues to blow smoke during the daily driving. Its not blue smoke, its light white-grey in the morning and grey-black when engine at operating temp...

Am i right in stating the my piston rings have gone therefore letting oil in the cylinder chamber or my valve stem seals therefore getting in thru the rockers??

Would it be worth fixing this tired A15 (350 000k old) or purchasing a recod one as im moderatley modifing the wagon....

Any post i put on here seems to be that i have a problem! DAMN MY DATSUN!!!!!

Cheers
Dave

Your rings are stuffed and you are best to rebuild this A15 as you can make sur ethe job is done right. Should be able to get a basic rebuild done for around $800 - rings, hone, bearings, head freshen. Less if you do it your self. It is remarkable that this humble 4 cylinder has 350 000 k's on it with who knows what type of history. Don't be discouraged - be inspired that it has lasted this long and still gets you around.

yeah i aint pissed off at the engine, im annoyed at the old bloke who owned it before hand who did NOTHING to it, like keep it in good condition..he just bashed it round and didnt look after it...

Right well the next question is, how much would it cost to do myself? OR should i get it professionaly done?? Here in tassie ive got about 5 quotes from plp and the all said over $1250 :O:O:O which is quite alot i think!!!

What about going over to the mainland and piking one up?
Wat would need replacing, just rings, seals, gaskets, bearings what else would be useful at the same time??

Cheers
Dave

Additionally the head will need cleaning up and the valves relapped - you can do that yourself. The bottom end will need all you mention as well as a hone. I'd do the timing chain as well. Check for a price from an engine reconditioner - parts should be about $250 - the rest is labour and machining.

At 350,000k [210,000 miles] i think that a major overhaul might not save it. The only way to determine this for sure is to go through the usual steps. A good start would be to give it a dry, then wet, compression test, just like it says in the book. If this indicates worn rings, & not just leaking valves, then it's time to pull the head.

Measure the bore as per the book at the top of the bore. If it is within repair limits, then a major overhaul is indicated, but if it is worn too far, then a recondition job, or replacement with an exchange engine would be a good idea.
An alternative is to replace it with a good pre loved engine from a wreck.

You won't know which way is best untill you start making some tests.

Quote:Bad rings cause oil burning: this oil-burning smoke is white but with a distinct bluish-white color. And the smoke doesn't disolve into the air, it only blows away into the wind.

If you don't see a bluish tint to it, it's not from bad rings.

In the morning it is normal to have white smoke, even brand new cars do this. It is water vapor and dissapates into the air as you watch it.

Now the greyish and blackish smoke, that's unburned fuel. Not from bad rings, but from carburetion or ignition problems. When the engine is warmed up, load up the choke and see what affect it has. You should see black smoke.

As you mite have gathered im relativley new to the car scene but as most do, am learning quick and loving every minute of it!!!!
but with a mates help who knows a fair bit about re-building engines how long are we talking here? 2 months at the most? Ive got 3 and a half months break and would like to get it all done before christmas, am i asking to much or is this a resonable target if i were to start on the 25 of Nov and get a complete overhaul of the engine done?

ORRR

Should i get it professionaly done? Here in Tassie the best quote i got so far was $1250 with a bit of head work.... Surley this is quite expensive!!!
oh and how much in parts are we talking here if i were to do it (rough estimate)

Advice greatly appreciated....
Dave

oh and the white smoke is in the morning but does have a blackish grey tinge but during the day tis blacky grey

From the color of the smoke, there is no indication that rebuilding the engine will help. Instead, you should be testing and tuning the ignition and carburetor. To double-check the need for an engine rebuild, carefully perform a compression test and let us know the figures of each cylinder.

To rebuild an engine short-block just takes a weekend. You need:
- "full gasket set"
- rings
- bearings
- assorted tools (rent or buy) including ridge-breaker, cylinder honer and piston ring compressor

Changing the camshaft or rebuilding the cylinder head is optional. The latter probably needs new guides.

If you are a careful, patient, "detail-oriented" person, you can successfully build it yourself. Get a repair manual so you have all the details.

But there are many chances to do it the "wrong way" so having a shop do it is OK. They generally take a while.