Thin white smoke

[Junebug]

Noticed a thin white smoke coming out of exhaust today which I haven't noticed before. We were motoring @2200 into headwind and current. Rwc temp was stable at 140-150. Oil level seems good although I do lose some oil (I think through the rear seal) and add/overfill a little from time to time. Also when I had the engine compartment opened up while motoring I noticed a thin white vapor mostly coming out from oil fill in front. Is any of this normal? Disastrous? Have been running the engine a little harder for longer periods with success- hoping this isnt a bad sign. Appreciate any feedback. Thanks

[Dave Neptune]

Need info

Junebuug, was our oil a bit milky looking on the stick? Was their a milky moisture under the cap as well?

Dave Neptune

[thatch]

Junebug,
Since the oil in these engines gets it's cooling from just "splashing" around the cylinder walls and the lower part of the water jackets, it is not unusual for it to heat up more under "high load" situations than when just cruising around at lower rpm's. One area that generates considerable heat, particularly when heading upwind, is the thrust bearing. Assumming that there is no water incursion, as Dave has mentioned, I suspect that this recent smoke episode is just a case of the engine working a little harder than usual.
Tom

[Junebug]

Thanks guys. No milkiness when I checked oil, hopefully it was just from pushing a little harder. I just hadn't noticed smoke out of the exhaust ever before today.

[sastanley]

junebug, When I run the motor hard, I would sometimes get 'steam' out of the exhaust at higher RPMs, as it would dissipate quickly.

If I sit at idle for a bit and 'throttle up' quickly, I get a trail of definite blue oil burning smoke for a few seconds. I am pretty sure this is old rings or leaky valve guides, but it usually goes away after 15-20 seconds.

If you are able to get 2,200 RPM, you are pushing her pretty hard, so she was working!