mondeoman

Hi, I am looking at buying my sisters ST170 but when i pulled the dipstick smoke started to appear.................the engine was cold at the time.
Ford have said that this is perfectly normal and once the engine was warm there was no smoke.
The car is a 2002 model with 66k miles and a full ford service history.
Is there any reason for concern or is this normal????

 

Fordtech.

There will be slightly increased 'blow-by' ie combustion gases when cold due to the piston rings not being fully expanded, these gases will find their way out through the dipstick tube when the dipstick is released, basically because there's nothing to stop them. With the dipstick in place they are recirculated via the breather system. Best way to see if it's within normal range is to carry out a compression test.