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2003 350z smoking alot!

Old 11-12-2017, 09:55 AM
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350ztuner
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Talking 2003 350z smoking alot!

so i just bought a 350z and it smokes tons. there is oil in the exhaust.
car has 103k on it, drives nice but smokes

i just did a compression test and results were...

drivers side (front of car to back)
105-120-105
pass side(...)
180-100-120

i think compression is supposed to be around 185 from what i have read.
im thinking some of the rings are stuck with carbon (well most except for the 180 one)

anyone have any ideas on how to repair this? i read you can leave some magic mystery oil in the cylinders for 2 days and it will eat the carbon up. might try that before i take engine apart to change rings...

thanks
Old 11-12-2017, 10:08 AM
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350ztuner
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oh and i was not able to warm engine up before the compression test(know that will affect results somewhat)
some are saying to leave atf fluid in cylinders to eat carbon, some say marvel mystery oil. at this point it wont hurt to try something before i tear it down.
Old 11-12-2017, 11:17 AM
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Magic oil or snake oil won't help you. You probably have a head gasket that needs replacing. That's kind of spendy and labor intensive.
Old 11-12-2017, 11:41 AM
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no its carbon rings. 99% sure. thanks for your input though...
Old 11-12-2017, 11:56 AM
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Hmm, did you try scanning for codes? Might as well try to eliminate the easy stuff first.
Old 11-12-2017, 12:06 PM
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no engine light or codes. drives great but smokes alot lol. does not overheat or anything. coolant nice and no mixing.

going to park the car in my shop and try both atf and mystery oil and if that doesnt do it then i will pull engine apart and change rings(connecting rod bearings while im in there and clean out any sludge or carbon.)

wont be until end of month as i have other cars to work on right now. just figured i would see if anyone had this issue before.
Old 11-12-2017, 12:07 PM
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Originally Posted by 350ztuner
99% sure
rings or head gasket doesnt matter ... time to pull the engine and tear it down or swap in a donor block...

why cant you warm the engine up?
Is the smoke blue/black? or white?
Old 11-12-2017, 12:15 PM
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well no its not time yet lol. going to try to unstick them first. have done this before on other cars with success so will see...
if not then i will take apart and change parts. but no harm in trying to unstick them.
Old 11-12-2017, 12:30 PM
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Be sure to take pics of the offending parts so the rest of us can see what's causing it. May help a future member, too.
Old 11-12-2017, 12:32 PM
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I hear what you're saying ... but why would carbon build-up be inconsistent enough to cause the compression results you've gotten?

and once the aforementioned carbon build-up is cleaned up, this will allow the rings to seal to the point where your compression is consistent?

Last edited by bealljk; 11-12-2017 at 12:34 PM.
Old 11-12-2017, 01:34 PM
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travlee
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Originally Posted by 350ztuner
no its carbon rings. 99% sure. thanks for your input though...
if you are 99% sure.....why did you post?
Old 11-13-2017, 05:44 AM
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Atreyu'z 350
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What color is the smoke??
Old 11-13-2017, 05:51 AM
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Old 11-13-2017, 06:37 AM
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Compression should be 130 to 180.

Check your oil, I see people saying head gasket. If that's true your oil should look like light coffee instead of golden clear or black. That means water is in your oil aka blown head gasket.

Last edited by CK_32; 11-13-2017 at 09:27 AM.
Old 11-13-2017, 06:57 AM
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Originally Posted by travlee


Old 11-13-2017, 09:24 AM
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You could of diagnosed the rings with a wet test. . .
Old 11-15-2017, 03:13 PM
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Leak down test might be better, but from what you're saying I'm guessing the rings have just seen better days. Hopefully, I'm wrong and you can clear out the garbage and get some compression back. If you do find the compression comes back, the valves seals would be my second guess.


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