I recently swapped the motor in my 95 SR.

The engine was used, shipped up from Cali. Don't know how long it had been sitting.

After dropping the motor in, the valves were ticking pretty bad and its puffing lots of blue smoke.

A couple doses of Seafoam and few oil changes has quieted the valves down but has not helped the blue smoke issue. When driving around town, the smoke is not that noticeable. When on the trial and the engine is idling a lot it's really visible when first get back on the gas. Big, big, big clouds of smoke....

What I'm trying to determine is the issue the valve seals or rings. Is there away to determine?

Any thoughts or insight would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
~ Jon

From what I've gathered off this site is that your problem is most likely the valve stem seals. You could do a leak down test or a dry and wet commpession test to determine if it's the VSS or the rings. I'm sure Fast eddy or someone with much more knowledge will chime in. Good luck.

Almost sure it's VSS, but do the dry and wet compression test to be sure.

You aren't really burning oil. It's leaking past the exh vss's and vaporizing in the hot exhaust stream. It leaks more under high manifold vacuum for some reason, which is why you get the big puff after hot idling.

Hi jdavis,
I recently learned a lot about smoke emissions after my most recent overhaul. According to the Oregon's DEQ, the significance of the color of smoke is listed below.

Here are a few links you may find helpful. In regards to your hydraulic lash adjusters, you may as well service them while you are at it.
1989 V6 - Replacement Valve Seals - Rope Trick
1989 V6 - Servicing your Hydraulic Lash Adjusters


Blue smoke is an indication of oil burning.
White smoke is an indication of coolant burning.
Black smoke is an indication of fuel burning.

Thanks for the responses!!

The compression test rang a bell. I did a test before dropping the engine in. I don't remember the results but must of not been too bad since I moved forward with installing the engine.

Jay thanks for the links. Is the process basically the same for the 3.0 and 3.5 engines?

Looking on Rock Auto for the seals and find it a bit confusing. BECK/ARNLEY has two part numbers for exhaust and intake then VICTOR REINZ and DNJ show only one part number.

Which brand do you think is better and are the parts different for exhaust and intake?

~ Jon

i rent out the tool to change the seals if you need it

Thanks for the heads up Mxmikie!!

What is the tool? The spring compressor?

Thanks,
~ Jon

yes so you can do them on the car

Finally getting serious about replacing the VSSs and will replace HLAs as needed.

The parts list I'm putting together is:
* VSS - DNJ ENGINE COMPONENTS Part # VSS126 - http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/catalog.php?carcode=1207842&parttype=5800
* HLA - ENGINETECH Part # L2250 - http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/catalog.php?carcode=1207842&parttype=5548
* Valve Cover Gasket Kit - MAGNUM Part # VS25001 - http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/catalog.php?carcode=1207842&parttype=10710
* Spring Compressor - http://www.euroexportinc.com/mitsubishi-4g63-valve-spring-compressor
______Can anyone confirm Euroeportinc 4g63 tool will work on the 3.5 engine
* PCV Valve - FRAM Part # FV350 - http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=56101&cc=1207842

Anything other parts that should be replaced while in there? Already have new plugs, wires, coils, timing belt....

Also, am I correct in the assumption that the timimg belt needs to come off to do this?

Thanks,
~ Jon

Finally getting serious about replacing the VSSs and will replace HLAs as needed.

The parts list I'm putting together is:
* VSS - DNJ ENGINE COMPONENTS Part # VSS126 - http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/catalog.php?carcode=1207842&parttype=5800
* HLA - ENGINETECH Part # L2250 - http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/catalog.php?carcode=1207842&parttype=5548
* Valve Cover Gasket Kit - MAGNUM Part # VS25001 - http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/catalog.php?carcode=1207842&parttype=10710
* Spring Compressor - http://www.euroexportinc.com/mitsubishi-4g63-valve-spring-compressor
______Can anyone confirm Euroeportinc 4g63 tool will work on the 3.5 engine
* PCV Valve - FRAM Part # FV350 - http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=56101&cc=1207842

Anything other parts that should be replaced while in there? Already have new plugs, wires, coils, timing belt....

Also, am I correct in the assumption that the timimg belt needs to come off to do this?

Thanks,
~ Jon