HELP! my 240sx puffing out smoke what to do???

[JPz92x240]

i just started notcing that my 240 is puffing out smoke when i drive it and more of a puff on a shift
where should i start lookin for the problem
i am replacing the valve cover gasket 2morrow to see if that helps
(it leaks oil so i gotta do it)
i just got it but the f'er who had it b4 has oil all over the engine bay:-/ and motor

[ka24deturbo]

What color is the smoke? Did you check your oil level?

[JPz92x240]

my oil is low bcuz of my gasket leaking

[CaoBoY]

then why did you make this thread if you know why your oil is low?

[NIK90s13]

What motor is in the car? Turbo? NA? How many miles on the car?
Need more info please!

[JPz92x240]

its the twin cam the 16 valve one ,about 240,000 miles on it

[Realnez]

color of the smoke is a huge factor, blue = Burning oil (rings, valve seals), white = Burning coolent (head gasket , cracked block) black = Burning fuel (fuel/air too rich)

[aznpoopy]

fix the oil leak first.

where's the smoke coming from?

from under the hood or out the exhaust?

[JPz92x240]

ok i did the gasket today n put in some oil
jus now i took it out for a spin and i rev'd it to 3 grand and nothing it seemed fine but when i am drive n i go past 3 grand once its droppin back down around 3 i can hear like a lil pop
so i am like okayyyyyyyyyy , i drove a few blks and there was poppin all the way threw at about 3 when i left go of the gas and let it drop rpms
i could smeel oil burning but i dont know if its from the leakin or when
but heres the thing i get to a stop n i rev it not too much but about 3ish
and then my car looked like it was on fire
i got white-ish smoke ever ......if f*kn sucks ass big time
too much smoke got scared n drove back home cruise'n

[Realnez]

ok, get a friend to rev it to whatever rpm's the smoke comes out. Go out of the car and smell the smoke lol, if it smells like burning coolent (sweet smell) then u know whats wrong. If the cars burning blue its usually blowing smoke at high rpms or puffs come out if you have been idling for a while and you hit the gas etc.

Also after puttin in the gasket, did you tighten the valve cover properlly? (the fsm way)

[JPz92x240]

well i know everything was screwed down tight i dont know if it was the fsm way? whats that>?
i had a guy form an automotive trade school do it for me
but i am going to let the engine cool down n check out the oil levels in the morning n make sure its right ....i did add a qt. after we finished withtha gasket

[mrmephistopheles]

lol 240Z or 240sx?

[JPz92x240]

how many qt should the engine have to be at ythe right level?
f its over filled with new oil will it still burn blk or blue

[aznpoopy]

if its overfilled you can create new leaks.

we can't tell you how much oil to use unless you tell us if you have a 240z or a 240sx.

an FSM is a factory service manual.

and the FSM way means you have to use a torque wrench and torque it down to a certain torque in a certain order. or else bad things might happen.

i think you're in over your head dude... take it to a mechanic.

[JPz92x240]

its a 240sx
yea i think ill take it down n have it torqued n have the oil changed
i think its over filled
and i havent used the car since it started smoking on me
anyone here do side jobs and know what thier doing ... in the bay area?

[redsuns3838]

next time, u should read up in the FSM before u start taking things off. things like torque specs for your valve cover are important, dont just *tighten it enough*. just go DL a FSM, buy a torque wrench, and some more oil, and try again.

and try to use some commas and periods, and check your spelling if possible. it was really annoying to read your post.

[JPz92x240]

okie dokie ill go dl a fsm.
well i checked my car in the moring ,its over filled.
i jus hope the smoking prob. goes away.
well thanx guys i wil get the valve cover torqued to the spec.