Yes, smoking. I first noticed it today when I started the car as a persistent grey/blueish plume for the first few seconds of running from cold. Then came the dual carriageway test by spanking it up to 4th then changing down quickish to third on a closed throttle and there it was, the dreaded blue haze... And not in a good two-stroke way.
So, the big question...
Engine out, or engine in?
If I'm going to do it, I may as well do the job properly, so I'm considering replacing the valve stem seals as a matter of course, and maybe the lifters too. If the head's coming off then I'll re-grind the valve seats just as a spring clean ...
Now, with the head off, can I change the rings with the engine still in the car? Obviously the sump will have to come off to get to the crank, but can that be done with the cross member still in place? I may as well do the big-ends too ...
Whaddya think??