Engine Issue

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Aug 16, 2013 | 07:26 AM

chrisroy1972

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Joined: Oct 2010

Posts: 19

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From: Middleboro, MA

Engine Issue

Hi Everybody,

I have a 1990 F150; 5.0, E4OD; XLT Lariat 2wd.

The engine runs rather smooth but here are the symptoms:
1. When I add a qt of oil to top off, a massive cloud of blue smoke comes out for only a few miles of driving then clears up.
2. There seems to be a loss of power.
3. Oil is frothy.
4. Burns oil a bit after condition above.
5. When i shift to reverse it sometimes stalls. Not sure if it is related or not.

What I did (I am kind of new to this part):
1. replaced head gasket but i did not know that I needed to have the heads checked. Dont know the significance of that.
2. Ran diagnostics but got no codes.
3. i adjusted the timing which was off a bit.

I know I need to have the heads checked but I just wanted to get other feedback before i take the top end off again.

Thanks for any help!
Chris

Aug 16, 2013 | 03:08 PM

timbersteel

Logistics Pro

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 4,698

Likes: 47

From: Mexico, Missouri

Sounds like worn valve guide seals. Sounds<

How many miles on the engine? What prompted the head gasket change...I'm assuming blown head gasket.

Aug 17, 2013 | 09:01 AM

chrisroy1972

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Oct 2010

Posts: 19

Likes: 0

From: Middleboro, MA

hi thanks. the truck has 95543 miles. the head gasket change came from a recommendation of a mechanic friend based on the frothy oil.

the other thing i wanted to note was the very thick blackish exhaust. it is very rich with gas/hydrocarbons smells.

chris

Aug 17, 2013 | 09:29 AM

Conanski

FTE Legend

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 31,930

Likes: 1,499

From: Ottawa, Ontario

You say you got no codes, does that mean you got no response from the computer at all or you got the 11, 11 all clear codes?

Were you using a code reader or trying to flash the codes on the check engine light?

Aug 17, 2013 | 09:58 AM

hotrod351

Elder User

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 759

Likes: 1

From: mohave valley, arizona

sounds like you have a really bad valve guide, and seal, problem. ive got a 190,000 on my 4.9 and still runs perfect. the fact that right after you add oil it smokes is pretty much the oil is going over the valve guides and seals and leaking past them.

Aug 17, 2013 | 09:19 PM

IhDriver

Freshman User

Joined: May 2013

Posts: 25

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From: Quebec, Canada

Might be a stupid question, but do you still have the original dipstick? If not, maybe max line not at right spot, and you're putting a qt too much?

Aug 18, 2013 | 08:14 AM

timbersteel

Logistics Pro

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 4,698

Likes: 47

From: Mexico, Missouri

Good point IhDriver. I hadn't thought of that, but good possibility. Also as hotrod351 pointed out, if adding oil and then it smokes, worn valve guides, seals would allow that freshly poured oil, mainly driver side, to be sucked pass the worn seals. It's not extremely difficult to replace them with head on, just takes some time, patience, air compressor, valve spring compressor, and/or nylon rope.