Hey I have a 92 xj and I was just wanting to see what yall think us causing my oil burning problem. I have white smoke from the tailpipe. Its not the head gasket. It doesn't really bother me too much just puffs out smoke when I'm stopped at idle a good bit sometimes seems like more now that it's been sitting during quarantine. Does anyone know what is the culprit if the oil only seems to burn when the engine is warm and the car is at idle. I just keep it topped up and it runs great just a little annoying with the smoke sometimes. Thanks for the help.

 

Do a compression test. That will tell you a lot.

 

Ok cool I found a good post on here saying its probably the seals thanks for the help

 

could be valve seals.

Is your air filter oily?

 

How do you know its burning oil? White smoke is not oil burning bluish smoke is but could be coolant or just plain ole condensation as thats white.

 

There's a small spot on the filter not much so not horrible. And then it smells like oil and I am not losing any coolant. And I feel like if it was condensation It would go away after a while

 

True but you said white smoke...pull plugs and see what they look like. Smoke after it sits most likely is valve seals.

 

Pulled the plugs a couple weeks ago to change them when this was still going on and they were white like it was running lean. But didn't see any oil on them

 

Some times it can look white if its a big enough cloud. My Mazda burns a whole lot of oil. I determined it was the piston oil rings by going on a long good drive to burn off any oil on the piston then letting it sit over night and in the morning pull the plugs and look for oil on the piston, if there is oil it is valve seals, if there isn't oil start the car for 20 seconds then pull the plugs, now if there is oil it is piston rings. That test is easier on a small 4 cylinder than our 4.0 but still. Usually, and in my case, if it is the piston rings they will expand and start to work correctly as the engine warms up, so if yours is still smoking as you drive around and idle, I would guess valve seals.

 

Well now I'm not sure what I am supposed to do. I am not sure what is actually wrong still and it is seeming to smoke more to where I feel like I'm plooming people when I drive by or at stop signs or lights. If it time the engine leaves and I try to rebuild it or just buy a new one I don't wanna pour a ton of money into it I know it probably has about 245,000 miles on it. Thanks