New MOT today, no advisories, plume of grey smoke at foot of hill on way home!

[colin.c]

Hi I've owned my 1998 XK8 convertible since 2009 and it's just passed the 100,000 mile marker. Passed it's MOT today with no advisories. On the way home there's a steep downhill gradient and at the bottom as I pull away there's a plume of grey smoke. The road is busy so I decide to retrace my tracks and drive down again, the same result! Thinking back once a month or so ago I noticed a similar plume of smoke but couldn't be sure where it came from, I've also noted some oil usage in the last couple of months. I have a feeling this might be valve related? Planning a 1500 mile trip to Spain in less than a month, best fix now or wait till return? Thank you.

[mike020150]

A plume of smoke on the overrun may not only be caused by valve stem oil seals. Issues with the crankcase breathing system can also be guilty. A second opinion from a specialist before you go far from home would either put your mind at rest or avoid potential difficulties during your foreign trip. Mike.