Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Smoke from breather

[socal_rattler]

The last couple weeks, I thought I noticed a whisp of smoke sometimes when I came to a stop. The other day, it was more than a whisp, so I stopped and looked and there was a fairly good stream of smoke coming out of the oil breather hose. I 'lost' the bottle a long time ago and extended the hose down to the bar and tied it off there.



What would be causing the smoke? I can't figure it out and it has never done this before... .



Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

[Sticks]

Smoke or heavy vapor?

Vapor will dissipate fairly quick, smoke will linger.

If you are getting smoke, then you have a cylinder that is really getting excessive blowby or is getting stupid hot and burning oil inside the block somewhere (piston, valve seals... ).

 

[socal_rattler]

I would say it is more of a heavy vapor... it does seem to dissipate rather quickly, but I better check it again and make sure. If it is vapor, what would cause it?

If it is blowby, would a compression check find that? What about the hot cylinder?

 

[Sticks]

Moisture/condensation in the crankcase will do it as the water evaporates.

Been unusually humid recently? Large temperature swings in the weather?

Excessive blowby will be rather obvious as it is a large volume of gasses being pushed out the breather tube. Distance and force, not to mention a lot of oil buildup/splatter where the tube is pointing.