Q: White smoke from exhaust

asked by on January 15, 2017

Hello, I recently changed my 2006 Kia Rio's engine valves and my mechanic told me my valve cover oil seal was bad and making the spark plugs get soaked with oil. Since replacing the valves (including gasket and timing belt), the engine smokes a lot. Lots of white smoke everywhere when the engine is on. My mechanic says it has to do with "ringing" the engine which I do not fully understand. My question is: is it possible that the oil that gets into the spark plug area is being burned with fuel from the injectors and therefore resulting in the white smoke or is it strictly a piston ring issue? Thanks for your help.
My car has a manual transmission.

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