Puff of Smoke at startup

[arich]

My 1999 LC had 127,000 on it. I have had it since 2004 with 25,000. Mobil 1 since I have owned it.

Only last few months have I noticed a puff of smoke at start up and I needed to add 1 quart between oil changes (5,000 interval). I have NEVER had to add oil to her.

I may just be hypersentive but also notice some engine ticking at startup.

Stored outdoors in NY and driven about every other day to work.

Is this typical or does someone have a suggestion for what might be wrong. No signed of oil leakage from gaskets.

Thanks,
Ant.

 

[Gottagetone]

That sounds like a head gasket leak.?. Oil may be leaking into a cylinder and burning off at startup causing the smoke. You should not be burning that much oil between changes.

 

[arich]

That sounds like a head gasket leak.?. Oil may be leaking into a cylinder and burning off at startup causing the smoke. You should not be burning that much oil between changes.

Spark Plug condition should reveal which head if this is the case.

Anyone has a head gasket go bad?

 

[CappyKD]

Hmmm, sounds like valve guides / seals wearing.. Pull all the plugs and take a good look.

 

[hkeller]

I've noticed ours puffs a little blue smoke at start-up at 160K miles.

 

[OregonLC]

The tick at cold start isn't unusual for Toyota. Tundras were notorious for this. I get it for maybe the first 15 seconds if it's below 40F. Our LX350 does it for the first minute. It has to do with the expansion rates of dissimilar metals.

 

[ENGINE er]

This is most likely valve guide seals. You can technically drive it forever like this. You will get some more gunk on your valves and yea you will consume oil but it's not the end of the world.

Parts cost will be about $70 to replace each one but the labor would be in the $800 range as it requires a special tool and A LOT of time to do it without removing the heads completely.

 

[APKhaos]

^^ +1
Classic symptom of valve guide wear. Nothing to worry about short term.

 

[hkeller]

i am suprised to see it in my wifes LX at 160 K miles when my 1996 Grand Cherokee does not do it at ~200K. Of course, the Grd. Chreo. leaks like a sive, but it does not smoke.

 

[arich]

^^ +1
Classic symptom of valve guide wear. Nothing to worry about short term.

So I've got some more years without problems? Hoping to get to 2016 when the 200 is 5 years old and I will take that and get the wify a new LC. Should be about 200K by then.

thanks

 

[ENGINE er]

Just watch that oil level.

But with the v10 in the stable you should be used to that!