Periodic burning oil smell

[dtatum]

1974 2002

Only happens when I'm in 4th gear, 2000 rpm or greater, and going downhill. It's an intense smell that lingers until the next decline, even the smallest downward grade and it will happen. Been coasting outa gear for the past week.

I looked for leaks around the valve cover above the headers, nothing there. In fact there isn't any evidence of oil on the headers. I can't find a leak. It consumes a quart every 1000 miles. Don't know if that suggests a leak. There is one header bolt that looks "moist", but no residue when I rub it.

It has a weber carb. There is a hose that is attached to the top of the valve cover and is routed to a bottle. A "feature" that came with the car. I suppose it used to connect to the original air cleaner. My old Ford truck is like that.

I've run outa ideas. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

David

[Guest Anonymous]

it sound like the vacumn generated coasting downhill is pulling oil into one or more of the cylinders. Check your plugs as to color and look for oil residue caking

[Mike Self]

your heater plenum chamber: two side seals (the hood latch rod passes thru 'em), one along the trailing edge of the hood, and the three "elephant trunks"--the drain hoses at the bottom of the plenum. If any/all of these are worn, damaged, missing or rotted, it will allow all sorts of noxious fumes into the pax compartment.

Get 'em fixed before winter, or you're liable to get CO poisoning.

BTW, the smell is, as was pointed out, probably due to worn valve guides and/or stem seals. Pretty normal for higher mileage '02s.

mike

[winstontj]

As others said it's probably valves/rings or a combo. Smoke on acceleration = rings deceleration = valve seals.

Watch in your rearview when you shift for a puff of smoke or next time you are in 4th coasting down hill drop it into 3rd and look behind. Your motor is pulling oil through the valve seals into the cylinders and the burning oil is coming out the exhaust and back into the compartment somehow. Ever notice that when you crack the window a little it can almost get worse? That's because the window can create a Venturi (like your carburetor). Until you get it fixed keep the windows closed and turn on the heater fan on the cool setting. It will force fresh air into cabin and keep the smell out.

[Guest]

how much are we talking about in order to do the valves in order to get rid of the smoke

thanks