Rebuilt motor smoking up hill

[Slither]

I just had a rebuilt 22r motor put in my 84' mini. The truck starts right up runs great. No smoke on start up and no smoke while running on the flat. As soon as I get about half way up a steep hill under load it starts bellowing smoke. If I drive on a flat after it clears up. Runs great, no noise. Bad piston ring?

 

[Combat Chuck]

Likely valve guide seals, uphill smoke's a trademark for that condition

Pull the plugs to look for soot, and take the engine in for a leakdown test.

 

[Slither]

That's also what one of my friends said but out of the box? That would require head removal to do it correctly no? Worst thing is I can't call the engine company until Tuesday and they need the motor back to determine the cause of the failure. Then based on whether it's a rebuild fault or an install fault that they warranty it. Just plain old pissed at this point.

 

[Combat Chuck]

happens. My valve guide seals are on their way out, and I'm running a year-old rebuild, unfortunately, there can be defects in the seals, or they could be poorer quality than what was expected, especially these days with everything being farmed off to China, alot of aftermarket hardware's really crappy.

Being a Toyota convert from Chevy, I'm used to POS valve guide seals, those things were a bad joke around my late uncle's garage. Just get 'em done right by a shop you trust, and know that they're better off.

 

[Slither]

Well flushed out the oil today. Put some 15w 40 in. Changed the filter. Checked the plugs, they were all wet with oil. Took it for a 15 mile ride up and down back country roads. Ran great, puffed just twice on the ride. Thought maybe the rings had to settle in. Wrong. Got it home, climbed the short hill by my house and I was crop dusting the neighborhood. Man I'm soured.

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

Pull valve cover, remove bolt or nut from rear engine oil return drain, and reinstall valve cover.

(Also check everything under the cover while you have it off...)

 

[Slither]

Pull valve cover, remove bolt or nut from rear engine oil return drain, and reinstall valve cover.

(Also check everything under the cover while you have it off...)

Is this something that has happened before? I will pull the valve cover off on Wednesday. Rain tomorrow and I'm working far from home. Won't be able to get to it until then. Just want to look before I put in the warranty claim.

 

[liljlandon]

Sadly, its a very common mistake. I learned by taking it hard (no lube) as I pulled a carb in a driveway, dropped a nut, waited till it was all pulled before i went to get the nut and found two. So I had one extra nut that was the same thread, but didnt know it until a horrid noise filled my ears. I found the extra nut, stuck between a piston and head.

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

Happened to me once...

 

[Slither]

Pull valve cover, remove bolt or nut from rear engine oil return drain, and reinstall valve cover.

(Also check everything under the cover while you have it off...)

Brother if I could hug you I would! There was a 10mm x 1/2" bolt lodged in the oil return in the back. Got it out. Took her for a spin...no smoke. Man what a relief. I never get that lucky. Thank you for the heads up I am eternally grateful. Now to throw some new unfouled plugs in and dial her in.

 

[WristPin]

jerod you frikkin rock man!!!

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

That's why they pay me the big bucks! I hope that's the last of your troubles!

Thanks Wristy!

 

[vipergrhd]

Just out of curiosity is this bolt supposed to be there or someone accidentally drop it while the rebuild or install?

John

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

Not supposed to be there, but the hole is just the right size to get mostly plugged up by a 12mm nut or bolt... then the valve trail gets flooded with oil when you go uphill...

 

[robrivera]

Brother if I could hug you I would! There was a 10mm x 1/2" bolt lodged in the oil return in the back. Got it out. Took her for a spin...no smoke. Man what a relief. I never get that lucky. Thank you for the heads up I am eternally grateful. Now to throw some new unfouled plugs in and dial her in.

Hi , this is exactly my problem also, do you have any pictures , photo or diagram to show that screw or nut and his position ? , Thanks in advance for your help !

 

[KLF]

Hi , this is exactly my problem also, do you have any pictures , photo or diagram to show that screw or nut and his position ? , Thanks in advance for your help !

Best photo I could find:

There is a large "hole" here (circled), that is a return galley for all the oil that gets pumped up to the head. This is on the passenger side. This is one of the 2 places where oil runs back down into the pan by gravity (the other is the large hole for the timing chain). There is not supposed to be anything in that hole, you could easily run a long skinny rod down that hole and it would reach the pan. I've never had it happen, but I can easily see how someone could accidentally drop a nut or bolt down there and not see it. If that hole is blocked, then when you go up a steep hill you would have a big puddle of oil collect there which would get sucked through that #4 intake valve stem seal.

Seems like you could fish it out with a magnet, if you have this issue.

 

[pappy]

Geez, I just [relearned?] something.

 

[robrivera]

Best photo I could find:

View attachment 2377885

There is a large "hole" here (circled), that is a return galley for all the oil that gets pumped up to the head. This is on the passenger side. This is one of the 2 places where oil runs back down into the pan by gravity (the other is the large hole for the timing chain). There is not supposed to be anything in that hole, you could easily run a long skinny rod down that hole and it would reach the pan. I've never had it happen, but I can easily see how someone could accidentally drop a nut or bolt down there and not see it. If that hole is blocked, then when you go up a steep hill you would have a big puddle of oil collect there which would get sucked through that #4 intake valve stem seal.

Seems like you could fish it out with a magnet, if you have this issue.

Perfect and clear !! I will do the job ! Thanks again