Engine blow-by, smoke and oil use are related issues that, if ignored, can turn into very expensive repairs. Fortunately, more than 80 per cent of engine blow-by cases can be corrected at low cost, and without any downtime.
Typically, blow-by is cylinder pressure leaking past the piston rings into the crankcase. Commonly, it starts as cylinder glazing or carbon forming in the top ring grooves, both of which allow cylinder leak down, and some oil burning. Oil burning produces further ring deposits, and more blow-by. And of course, more internal engine stress.
According to Brid Walker, of Brisbane-based Cost Effective Maintenance, “There’s a big window of opportunity to fully correct blow-by problems, before serious engine wear occurs.
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