With the 420a, at 152k miles, what's the most common cause of smoke? I think it's oil, it smells like it, although it's not very blue (more grey). I've ut 300 miles on it or so since I put some oil in the cylinders for a compression test, so I would have figured that would have burned off by now.

So, what's your's theory? Rings, valve seals, or what?

Did you guys know there's a search and it usually works?

I'll start by checking the PVC valve, and then go from there. Any way of visuaully checking the valve seals?

A bit more info if you want to know. Didn't use to smoke (that I remember). Cam sensor went bad, so it sat for ~6 months. Replaced the cam sensor; I also had the valve cover gasket off as well. I don't visuaully see any leaks around either, and I beleive the spark plugs are tight and I don't think there is any oil that is getting in that way.

Smoke out the exhaust or under the hood?

Exhaust.
And can you re-ring one of these engines while it is still in the car? I'm used to small block chevies, and I know you can do it in those cars since there a crossmember keeping you from removing the oil pan.

Edit: And can the valve seals be done with the head still on the car? The spring compressor looks like it is supposed to hook under the head to the bottom of the valve?

there are some spring compressors that just hook to the coils of the spring and compress so you don't need to take the head off

I'm pretty sure you can re-ring with the motor still in the car.

Originally posted by ShadowRuleZ
what's the most common cause of smoke?

I would say heat or fire, but :shrug

Not using a screw for a fuse. Duh, do I have to tell you donkeyfuckers everything?

http://tinyurl.com/ae92y

if your exhaust smokes white its water. If it smokes black it's oil or you running to rich. If you can eliminate any of these three possibilies you are more likely to find your problem. You ran a compression test. Was this prompted by a concern about your compression? If so, then you might have a leak between your oil or water systems and one or more of the cyclinders.

Find out if your using any oil.

Find out if your using any cooliant.

If you are loosing even a little of either of these, then consider it a warning sign. My car can take months to blow a head gasket.

Hope I was helpfull.

check your spark plug wells for oil

Well it's not the PVC valve. I disconnected it, ran around the block a few times, noticed it stopped smoking so I went in and bought a new one, but it did the same thing the second I hooked it up, and now running it around the block with it disconnected doesn't get it to stop smoking either.

It is definetly blue smoke, so it's oil. I can also see it coming out of the tube that originally went to the PVC (and is now disconnected).

So what's the skinny on doing the valve seals? Where can I buy them (Satan only)? Can someone post a picture of a head with the valve cover off so I can see if my spring compressor will work on it or not?

I pulled the cover and I can see why mine won't work - there's no room to work around here. And it looks like I have to pull the cams.

I saw this referenced over on neons.org - has anyone used this with any success? I don't think I understand how it is used though. http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/SP-91400.html

Don't worry about it guys, I found a buddy who works at a dodge dealership who is going to let me borrow the tool for this.