In article <V1b1c.87093$T03.1870791@wagner.videotron.net>, "Yuri
Nebogatov" <alexneb@videotron.ca> wrote:

> I dont want to diss the previous poster, but I personally dont think you
> should down cash on a "complete tuneup", unless we have different ideas of a
> "complete tuneup".
>
> Is the smoke just black or slightly blue-ish? Exactly how
> "think" is it? Can you smell burned oil if you stand near the exhaust?
>
> Most likely oil is leaking somewhere in the area of the valvetrain.... one
> of the gaskets might be blown (and I'm not just talking about the head
> gasket, also anything that insulates the cylinders, etc...)
>
> First check for obvious leaks (that is, without taking off the engine
> cover).... if you're lucky, you might isolate the problem right there. Have
> a mechanic or someone with some car knowledge look inside the engine. I dont
> think a compression check would be necessary.... in fact I cant even
> directly relate these two problems. Most likely the mechanic (if he's not a
> crook) will tell you which gasket/seal needs to be replaced and your car
> will be back on the road, a proud swimmer in the ocean of rice (just kidding
> dude).
>
>
> "Recode" <recode@pppoe.ca> wrote in message
> news:c1rsno$1g4g$1@news.wplus.net...
> > Hi,
> >
> > I own a 2000 Prelude (automatic transmission) and sometime I have some
> nasty
> > black smoke for the exhaust system, just like my car would burn oil.
> >
> > I went to see the dealer about that and they told me that was OK like
> that.
> > A friend told me that the Vtech system was self-cleaning and the smoke was
> > from the self-cleaning !?
> >
> > Anyone would know more about this issue ?
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Recode
> >
> >

Recode,
I was not disrespected by you. You gave the original poster some excellent
advice. You could be right about the blown gasket. On the other hand, it
could also be a more serious problem such as bad rings-- a compression
check would be an excellent means to determine whether or not there is
problem related to bad rings.