Oil coming from exhaust question...

[steinooo]

Hi all,

I wondered if anyone knew what could make oil come out of an exhaust when it’s revved please? I am looking at a car tonight and I’ve seen oil come out of an exhaust on the same car before, which I avoided because I was told it might be a serious problem with an engine which could cost £900+ to fix.

Just wondered if anyone had any ideas on what the oil coming out of the exhaust might mean please? The car is a Nissan Micra by the way.

Many thanks.

 

[MuvverRussia]

probably water coming out of the exhaust. Oil usually shows up as blue smoke (bad news).

 

[Dr Who]

probably water coming out of the exhaust. Oil usually shows up as blue smoke (bad news).

Agreed, usually water mixed with exhaust soot...

It would blow blue smoke if it was oil...

 

[steinooo]

probably water coming out of the exhaust. Oil usually shows up as blue smoke (bad news).

cheers lads, thing is though I do think it's oil, as although its not a blue plume when you rev, I've held a white tissue at the end of the exhaust and oil comes from the exhaust making the tissue black, whereas on my car (same model, approx year of Micra) there is no mess at all coming from the exhaust.

 

[Sputnik II]

I've held a white tissue at the end of the exhaust and oil comes from the exhaust making the tissue black

It's probably water and soot.(as already said in post 3)

The only time you might get oil coming out the exhaust is if a turbo has really worn bearings and oil seals but, even then it probably wouldn't make it to the tail pipe. I'm sure this Nissan Micra doesn't have a turbo!

 

[MuvverRussia]

you'd also have oil if the piston rings are worn.

 

[-Mike-]

you'd also have oil if the piston rings are worn.

If the rings were worn and the oil getting past them, surely it would burn during combustion?

 

[Jonny69]

If the rings were worn and the oil getting past them, surely it would burn during combustion?

Not completely though and you get that stinky blue smoke.

The thing to do is take it on a long run with some good high engine revs to blow the bugs out. If it's been doing short hops here and there all manner of crud builds up in the exhaust system. It needs to get hot and burn or blow all that out before you can make a diagnosis.

 

[Dogbreath]

Almost certainly just dirty water, or it would be smoking noticeably.

 

[Dr Who]

cheers lads, thing is though I do think it's oil, as although its not a blue plume when you rev, I've held a white tissue at the end of the exhaust and oil comes from the exhaust making the tissue black, whereas on my car (same model, approx year of Micra) there is no mess at all coming from the exhaust.

The water/soot combo will carry a small amount of oil making it feel oily, but if it isnt blowing huge clouds of blue smoke then it wont be oil...

Water condenses in the latter part of the exhaust and in some cars, it literally pours out....

Trust me after having 2 turbo petrol cars you will know oil smoke when you see it...