smoking after 90k service. How do I approach?

[Fireballs_92nsx]

Curious how I should approach this? I told the service writer when I had it done to make sure it was done correct, and not really skip any corners. He had it for about 2 weeks or so and all went well, changed alot of gaskets plugs ect. I was wondering if there was something they neglected to maybe changed, or what would they maybe have overlooked? It looks to be coming from under the motor. No check engine lights, doesn't run funny.
Just wondering what I should say if they want to hit me up for more money, which I'm ok with, but I feel that it should have been found when done the first time.

 

[BTL3.0]

Where is it coming from exactly? Could be excess oil that got dripped on the headers causing burn off smoke.
How bad is it? Your description is very vague.

 

[Fireballs_92nsx]

He mentioned that it may be excess oil, but it's been too long time wise for it to be excess oil. After the 90k I sent it to the body shop and upholstry shot to be redone. If looking at the motor from the trunk, it is on the far side of the motor, near the firewall. It can be seen coming from the black vent. I'm sorry it was kinda vague.

 

[BTL3.0]

Black vent as to the rear garnish piece that is directly above the strut tower bar?
At which point did it start smoking? How far into the drive? Are there any drip on the ground, oil spot??
Does the smoke come out the tail pipe? Can u get under the car while its running and look up to see anything unusual?

What have u try to narrow dwn the source is what im getting at.
Need more info.. Still too vague.

 

[kookoo4nsx]

Powerwash your motor from the underside. If you are careful you can powerwash some areas from the top but I don't recommend it. Anyhow, once you have a clean motor, it will be easier to find a potential leak.
My motor smoked a little after a hard run. It was the rear spool valve dripping slowly on the exhaust. Changed gaskets, no more problems.

I also like Simple Green to get rid of greas/grime/oil.

 

[pgilliam1]

These engines do leak oil. The main areas to look at are:

spool valves
cam plugs
oil pan
valve covers

Most of the above are not covered under normal service conditions so I wouldn't get too upset with the service people. Good Luck!

 

[SOURCE 1]

Did they replace BOTH vtec solenoid gaskets or just one? This problem is usually narrowed down to a valve cover gasket or one of the solenoid gaskets. May not have been installed correctly. How often do they work on the cars? Was the engine dropped? Call the service dept and have it reinspected to verify. Don't take any chances..

 

[shawn110975]

I agree with PGilliam1

just the other day I was cleaning my 2004 and looked down and found a
8mm open end wrench it wasnt mine. it was my NSX mech at the dealership. he forgot it there after doing my clutch bleed.

I told him about it he said damn i have been looking for that thing for months. LOL

so even the best mechs can forget to tighten a bolt etc.

I would check what pgilliam1 said those are the common ones.

also double check the valve covers are very tight.
also do what KooKoo4nsx said clean the shit out of your engine.

my 92 was smoking a little but it turned out to be the cam plugs.

if you had the 90K service done then they should have replaced the cam plugs if they didnt that could be the problem to.

to see if your cam plugs are leaking first identify where they are.
then get some carb&choke cleaner and spray the shit outta them.
let it dry and take a 15 minutes drive pushing it to 6-7K rpm
return home if you see fresh oil under the cam plugs then there you go.

 

[Fireballs_92nsx]

Thanks guys, I will tackle this and get back you all. Sorry for being so scattered brained.

 

[RedWings]

...then get some carb&choke cleaner and spray the shit outta them...

caution there comrades:

if you spray the shit out of something with carb cleaner and some of that gets on your paint, rubber, plastic, you may not be a happy camper

(a public service message: back to your regularly scheduled programming)

 

[davidf]

caution there comrades:

if you spray the shit out of something with carb cleaner and some of that gets on your paint, rubber, plastic, you may not be a happy camper

(a public service message: back to your regularly scheduled programming)

Everytime I have my car on the lift I clean this/that with CRC brakleen. Works great as it's a degreaser. I see no reason it should get near your paint. Best part, it dries rather quickly with no residue.

 

[Larry Bastanza]

Well the first thing you need to do is clear out your inbox, since you cannot accept a message......

 

[Jacob_Seattle]

What kind of smoke is it? Blue, white, black? This can help you narrow down what is leaking or what potentially happened. Also, did it smoke before the service or after? Answer the basics first and then trouble shooting this issue should become clearer. GL

Jacob

 

[Fireballs_92nsx]

Well it was a long drawn out process so I would like to see what others think. First While I am driving up to the acura dealership, which is 70 miles away, I throw a cel. It says I need a rear 02 sensor. They say I also need a oil pan gasket. The valve cover gaskets also are leaking some as well. I am told I need spark plug tube seals, and camshaft plugs.
It burns me up I had my car in there, and these leaks were not happening, and I get my 90k mile service done, and then These leaks have arrived all of the sudden. I can understand the oil pan gasket, but the other items, just frustrates me. I mentioned instantly how the valve cover job isn't my doing. They said they would deduct that. Why would they not do the plugs?

Any advice again, and insight as what I should say to them. Thanks.

 

[pgilliam1]

It sounds like the service people tried to reuse all the existing seals. Not a good idea after 90K miles. The plug tube seals are simply round rubber rings that are easy to replace and inexspensive, no big deal. They sell gasket kits that include all the parts needed on the valve cover reinstall (there are several parts to these kits). Good thing is that all your problems are easily solved. Bad thing is you had to return the car to get it fixed properly. Make sure they know to use Hondabond in the corners of the valve cover gaskets and you should be OK - if they do it right that is. The nuts that hold the valve covers on are easily stripped if overtorqued, and they can lead to leaking if not tight. Good Luck!

 

[shawn110975]

.

Carb & choke cleaner will not eat your paint away instantly.LOL

yes if you get it on your paint you need to wash the car to avoid that.

but it will not eat your paint away.

I monthly clean my whole engine with 5 cans of this stuff
and my engine bay paint looks mint.

engine heat+carb&choke cleaner hasnt effected my paint so
in my opinion your good to go.

(a Revised public service message)

 

[nikey22]

5 Cans wow!!!
watch out for the plastic and rubber parts...

 

[BATMANs]

Powerwash your motor from the underside. If you are careful you can powerwash some areas from the top but I don't recommend it. Anyhow, once you have a clean motor, it will be easier to find a potential leak.
My motor smoked a little after a hard run. It was the rear spool valve dripping slowly on the exhaust. Changed gaskets, no more problems.

I also like Simple Green to get rid of greas/grime/oil.

I power wash my motor from the top and bottom and reverse order to make sure I get as much of the grim out.

My trick is to do this while the engine is running so that the water would start to evaporate immediately.

It's ideal to use distilled water during if you have access to water softener.

But for the sake of corrosion, water spots (appearance), electrolyts I will rinse with that spot free rinse option if I'm at the self-serve car wash.