Source of Oil Burning?

[wrogers55]

This is a tiny problem. My fuel injected 418 has developed a very, very small issue on the right bank, wisps of blue smoke, almost invisible at idle. It' looks like one cylinder only. It smells like burning candle wax or something close. Dark black coloring in the pipe, but it actually looks like the other side as well. I'm not sure if it is just at idle or low speed, but it might be getting a bit worse, so I need to at least start looking. The motor otherwise runs fine as it always has.

What is the best way to tag the problem? Maybe a stem seal? One could hope I suppose. I haven't pulled any plugs or compression checks yet. I know engines well, but not that familiar with SBFs issues.

Any starting point suggestions?

Thanks,

[CobraEd]

First thing to do is check the plugs to isolate the location(s). While they are out you can check the compression. Then by reading the plugs you should be able to see if it is oil or gas.

How many miles on the engine?


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[wrogers55]

Definitely oil burning, I have been around race motors most of my life and this unmistakably oil.

Motor has a bit over 3,400 miles on it, the first 2,500 of which I have little idea of what it saw. Runs great, over 500hp at the wheels on 92 pump gas on a roller drum dyno, not a single ping. But, even with a lumpy, rumpy, shaking all over idle, it has never produced any exhaust smoke at all. If you can get a mass flow injection system right, it's really nice, expensive, but nice.

Again, not a big problem...yet. I think I'll start with the plugs on the suspect side and see what they say after a long cruise and cut it off without idling back as much as possible. If nothings there, then I'll clean them up a bit and let it idle a short while and look again.

Hoping for an easy fix....aren't we all.

Thanks,