My new Festiva. Blue smoke/Emissions test/tune up

[Beans]

Hey everyone,

I just bought a 1993 Festiva L, auto. Trying to get it tuned up so it'll pass the emissions test, and be in good running shape for the next little while. When I start up the car it'll blow blue smoke for a while then it won't smoke anymore... I have read that this might be the valve seals. Where can I find valve seals in BC? Perhaps the internet?

I'm also going to change the oil and oil filter and the air filter before doing the test. Though I don't know how much that'll do to help. The car's in pretty okay shape mechanically. It starts every time, no strange noises or anything.

This is technically my second car, but realistically it's my first so I don't know much about what to replace/fix/tune up! I got the car for $250, so I don't mind spending a little cash. Any ideas are welcome!

Cheers

[Safety Guy]

Welcome Beans! For $250, I don't think you'll go wrong.

I can recommend Rockauto.com for parts. Just be careful of multiple shippers and the shipping costs. I usually try to order only from one or two destinations to keep the shipping down. (Takes some practice.) I think they would have valve seals, but also try your local McParts stores.

Post some pics when you can to "introduce" yourself and your car to us! Go to your "user CP" and be sure to put your location if you haven't done so yet. Also, how much car work experience do you have?

Karl

[ken1678]

Congrats on the new/used Festiva. I got mine for $200 from a towing yard four years ago. They're great little cars. I think you'll enjoy it.

[milehighbear]

one thing I use to do when one of my cars blew a little smoke at starting up. Check your tailpipe and see if it is black. I would put front tires up on ramps or a jack and then I would take a spray bottle full of half water and half bleach and spray into the tailpipe and it would clean out the tailpipe so when they put the little reader into your tailpipe, it would not read all the black soot in it. Just a suggestion unless someone thinks the bleach will hurt more. It never did me.

[Beans]

I'll take a few pictures this weekend when I have some time off. I'll have to wash all the bird crap off first... I don't have too much car experience, but I am pretty mechanically inclined and I have done some work on my motorcycle. I just bought a Haynes repair manual so I'll at least have some guidelines top follow when making repairs and such.

Question: I have read that disconnecting the air filter and spraying water into the air intake while the car is running will sort of "clean out" the engine of carbon and that sort of thing. I know I would have to be careful because carbon chunks can break off and block open the valves, etc. But does this really work?

Thanks for the replies!

[leapin]

Hey another Vancouver festiva owner! I recently rebuilt the top end of my sister inlaws festiva. I got the whole gasket set from Napa. But I know they have individual seals as well. I'm working tomorrow and I will give them a call.

[1988festivazoom]

If u take a spray bottle and mist water into the intake it will clean the carbon deposits off the cylinders and valves..... raise your idle while you do it. Valve stem seals are verry cheap but if u have never done them I would sudguest having someone who has done them help, tho its a fairly simple prosedure. U have to have an air compressor and the adapter to pressurize the cylinder bore to hold the valves in the seated position. If u don't do it then u will risk dropping a valve into the cylinder and then u will be forced to remover the head to recover the valve... u can get the adapter from pretty much any parts store to do the valve stem seals.

[drddan]

Ol' timers used to take 1/4"-3/8" cotten rope and stuff enuf of it into the cylinder to hold up the valve and keep it from dropping down.

Just sayin it can be done without the air compressor. The air is the way to go if you have access.

[Darlo]

Hey everyone,

I just bought a 1993 Festiva L, auto. Trying to get it tuned up so it'll pass the emissions test, and be in good running shape for the next little while. When I start up the car it'll blow blue smoke for a while then it won't smoke anymore... I have read that this might be the valve seals. Where can I find valve seals in BC? Perhaps the internet?

I'm also going to change the oil and oil filter and the air filter before doing the test. Though I don't know how much that'll do to help. The car's in pretty okay shape mechanically. It starts every time, no strange noises or anything.

This is technically my second car, but realistically it's my first so I don't know much about what to replace/fix/tune up! I got the car for $250, so I don't mind spending a little cash. Any ideas are welcome!

Cheers

SO YOU ARE THE ONE!I almost bought this one! Did the guy (Greg wasnt it?) give you the battery booster, the new shock, and the jumper cables? The no aircare scared me away, but I changed my mind and phoned him back but got no answer! :banghead:


I will buy it from you for $300 as-is tomorrow if you are interested!......

[WmWatt]

Here in Ottawa NAPA beats Canadian tire but still pricier than in US. If you have time, calling several parts retailers will get a range of prices. Cdn Tire loans tools for free.

You can spray water or carburettor cleaner into the intake. If dirty there will be a cloud of black smoke out the exhaust.

Clean the ignition wires. I take 'em off one-by-one. Shine up the contacts on the ends and reinstall securely. Once a year improves performance as shown by before and after vacuum gauge readings.

[Beans]

SO YOU ARE THE ONE!I almost bought this one! Did the guy (Greg wasnt it?) give you the battery booster, the new shock, and the jumper cables? The no aircare scared me away, but I changed my mind and phoned him back but got no answer! :banghead:


I will buy it from you for $300 as-is tomorrow if you are interested!......

Hahaha! That's pretty funny that you were thinking of getting it too! Too slow unfortunately... Thanks for the offer, but I think I'll hold on to it for a while It's in pretty good shape mechanically, except the left rear shock and apparently the valve seals. I just bought a Haynes manual and I'm gonna take care of those problems though. Then it's no more bussing to work for me! I'm stoked.

[Darlo]

Hahaha! That's pretty funny that you were thinking of getting it too! Too slow unfortunately... Thanks for the offer, but I think I'll hold on to it for a while It's in pretty good shape mechanically, except the left rear shock and apparently the valve seals. I just bought a Haynes manual and I'm gonna take care of those problems though. Then it's no more bussing to work for me! I'm stoked.

LOL.....Sounds good! Glad someone got it who will enjoy it......

[leapin]

The Napa we deal with(langley)has eight in stock.

[Beans]

So, I took it in to do AirCare today. It failed Upon inspection I noticed what looks to be oil in the coolant. My brother said this could be from a bad head gasket. Perhaps fixing the head gasket could solve my NOX and HC levels...? The levels are as follows: HC was .745, max is .5. NOX was 2.98, max is 1.24... I clearly have some work to do. Please let me know what you guys think I should do!

Thanks!

[Darlo]

I think you should try and sell it for $600 in Chilliwack, Hope, etc....Where AirCare is not required......

That is what I was going to do if I got it and it wouldnt pass....