Start up puff of blue smoke

[deltapine1]

I have noticed a few times my wifes 100 will puff a very small amount of blue smoke after it sits all weekend. 120k on the odometer. Only worries me because the 60's I've run upwards of 200k never smoked. I know they are inline 6's and but I really didn't expect ring or valve seal smoke at 120k on an 05'.

Thoughts and comments always welcome.

 

[hkeller]

Our 2000 LX did this with about 150K miles on it, then stopped. I think it may have been the oil.

 

[FJ62INTX]

likely valve seals or oil is wrong spec. Another dumb question.... do you park on an incline or decline or angle of any sort?


Also, remember that these are 4 valve engines, which means twice as many valve seals and valve guides to wear out and cause one to smoke.

My Mom's Lexus RX330 has been doing the puff o Smoke thing and using a quart every 4,000 miles since it had 80,000 miles on it. It has 170,000 on it now and hasn't changed the habit much. It got better after using some Lucas Synthetic oil treatment regularly.

 

[APKhaos]

^ +1 on slightly worn valve stem oil seals. Sounds like it livable at this point, so nothing to worry about unless and until you get significant clouds of oil smoke on startup or oil consumption becomes an issue. Keep an eye on the oil consumption rate, and track it over time. Try the oil treatment thing too if you want; it may help. Engines can run for years with slightly leaky valve stem oil seals. Think about a top end job when/if the oil consumption rate starts to get significant.

 

[deltapine1]

It is parked daily on a slight decline. I changed the oil/filter today after 6k and the oil consumption was not noticeable on the dipstick. This oil change saw two 1300+ mile round trips at with cruising speeds of 70 to 85 mph. I do have a full EMS exhaust including replacement cats. The exhaust has been on for a little over 25k miles and the puff of blue smoke showed up within the last 6k miles. I think a stock exhaust would make the smike less noticeable because the cats and muffler on the stock system are more restrictive.

 

[oftpiste]

maybe she's smoking something?

 

[FJ62INTX]

It is parked daily on a slight decline. I changed the oil/filter today after 6k and the oil consumption was not noticeable on the dipstick. This oil change saw two 1300+ mile round trips at with cruising speeds of 70 to 85 mph. I do have a full EMS exhaust including replacement cats. The exhaust has been on for a little over 25k miles and the puff of blue smoke showed up within the last 6k miles. I think a stock exhaust would make the smike less noticeable because the cats and muffler on the stock system are more restrictive.

DING DING DING!!!

Sounds like You answered the question.

Oil is likely setting around the valve stems and going down the valve guides there... It may not be draining down through the heads 100%.

If You didn't see any noticeable oil loss, I wouldn't worry too much about it. You might check your plugs front to back to see if any show any more carbon than any others. If You find one is slightly more carboned than others, You probably found your culprit cylinder. I wouldn't worry about it if only slightly more carbon fouled. If one is way black and very nasty, I would have that cylinder's valve guides and seals checked out.

 

[cruiser03]

I have noticed a few times my wifes 100 will puff a very small amount of blue smoke after it sits all weekend. 120k on the odometer. Only worries me because the 60's I've run upwards of 200k never smoked. I know they are inline 6's and but I really didn't expect ring or valve seal smoke at 120k on an 05'.

Thoughts and comments always welcome.

My 03 did this with 92k, changed the oil every 5k and it does not do it any more at 120k. Absolutely zero oil consumption. What Oil do you use?

 

[deltapine1]

Penz 5W30.

 

[onpoint01]

Maybe try a synthetic oil.


...via IH8MUD app

 

[cruiser03]

I use Mobil1 and now amsoil. Try it for 7500 miles - might clear it up.

 

[REDrum]

Just to add to the discussion....

120k miles on the engine in my UZJ100

My driveway has an incline about 1 in 12 pitch. When I park tail up it puffs blue smoke on start up. Parked nose up no puff of blue smoke.

 

[2000 LC]

It is parked daily on a slight decline. I changed the oil/filter today after 6k and the oil consumption was not noticeable on the dipstick. This oil change saw two 1300+ mile round trips at with cruising speeds of 70 to 85 mph. I do have a full EMS exhaust including replacement cats. The exhaust has been on for a little over 25k miles and the puff of blue smoke showed up within the last 6k miles. I think a stock exhaust would make the smike less noticeable because the cats and muffler on the stock system are more restrictive.

I wouldn't worry about it. I agree with switching to synthetic, AMSoil is great.

Maybe the 5 speed trannys are better on the highway but WOW 85 mph, I think in my 100 I'd have to take flight

 

[SNLC]

I wouldn't worry about it. I agree with switching to synthetic, AMSoil is great.

Maybe the 5 speed trannys are better on the highway but WOW 85 mph, I think in my 100 I'd have to take flight

I done 95mph in mine more than once passing on the HWY, it feels the same as 70mph to me.

Cheers

 

[2000 LC]

I done 95mph in mine more than once passing on the HWY, it feels the same as 70mph to me.

Cheers

I get uncomfortable when my rpms get close to or over 3k for a sustained period of time. Although I will say upgrading to the 33" inch tires did make a noticeable difference on the highway.

I like to baby her

 

[SNLC]

I get uncomfortable when my rpms get close to or over 3k for a sustained period of time. Although I will say upgrading to the 33" inch tires did make a noticeable difference on the highway.

I like to baby her

Seriously? First time I have heard this in the 100 section. This engine doesn't make a lot of power until 3k rpms. I think cruising down the HWY at 85mph the rpms are just under 3k, I have set the cruise control and done this for many hours. I don't think there are any issues with 3k rpms in the slightest for as long as you like. Now redlining the thing for hours on end is not a good thing.

Oh ya and done the exact same thing to the Chevy v8 that was in my 80 series. Plenty of work trucks (chevy v8s) of mine, towing on the HWY will grab second gear on a grade and be rocking 5k rpms the entire way up the grade. Never had any issues.

Cheers

 

[2000 LC]

Seriously? First time I have heard this in the 100 section. This engine doesn't make a lot of power until 3k rpms. I think cruising down the HWY at 85mph the rpms are just under 3k, I have set the cruise control and done this for many hours. I don't think there are any issues with 3k rpms in the slightest for as long as you like. Now redlining the thing for hours on end is not a good thing.

Oh ya and done the exact same thing to the Chevy v8 that was in my 80 series. Plenty of work trucks (chevy v8s) of mine, towing on the HWY will grab second gear on a grade and be rocking 5k rpms the entire way up the grade. Never had any issues.

Cheers

Interesting. I find my truck gets going just fine, I actually rarely push her past 3k even on acceleration. My sister has a 2000 as well and hers drives completely differently. I always found it amazing how much these trucks vary from individual to individual. Soft brakes vs. hard brakes, etc. One guy posted up recently that he felt as though he could get the tires to break free while passing on the highway. That is just not a possibility in mine.

I have no doubt my truck COULD run at high RPM's for a sustained period of time; I guess it's just a matter of personal preference as to how you want to treat your engine. I've been riding in my 100 since I was 8 years old, my operation style is low, slow, and long term.

On the other hand when I get to drive my buddies RS4, I expect high RPM operation. And to add a quart of oil after every trip!

 

[silverbullitt]

Its the idle air control valve or it's called power steering air control valve. My GS400 did this. & basically it's the same engine block. This valve is on the back of the power steering pump and one of the hoses that runs from the pump runs to the intake manifold. When this valve is malfunctioning, power steering fluid is leaked into the engine and burned.

 

[TXLX100]

My other vehicle will make a blue cloud if I park nose down on incline and back up quick after start.

My 98 doesn't make a lot of power when getting up to speed also, but once going you can accelerate pretty well. I have no concern with high rpm's, That's what rev limiters are for!

 

[Travis351]

Wanted to log this odd experience on the forum...My 99 with 440k sat for a little over a week. Turned over, started and stalled right away. After sitting for that long, it usually rattles a bit upon starting until the oil pressure catches up. I run Castrol High Mileage with some Lucas. I use about 1/4th of a quart of oil per 5,000 miles. There is less than than a year on the fuel pump and filter. Original Starter, original Crank position sensor. Ambient temperature 78 degrees F.

Tried starting it a second time and the starter started sounded strange, like the ring gear was slipping a little or there was oil where it didn't belong slowing the starter speed down. Not like low voltage slow, it sounded like the starter motor was working normally but something on the mechanical side was either slipping or slowing down the revolutions of the engine.

Put a jump box on the battery, no change. Same weird starter sound. Tapped on the intake manifold a bit in hopes of rattling the starter back into it's normal speed. Cranked again, No changes.

Had the wife crank on it while I was under the hood and it appeared to be cranking normally. The mechanical fan was turning, but still no fire. I swapped EFI fuse, which I was thrilled to find was wearing out (this would be my 3rd in 14 years) thinking that I would be saved by a simple fix yet again, but still no fire.

Checked for CEL codes, found none. Disconnected/reconnected the battery, tried again, no fire.

Had her crank while I was tapping on the intake manifold and it finally fired up with a thick white cloud of smoke out the tail pipe that quickly went away. Been starting and running normally all this week. No smoke.

I'm not sure what the issue was, but I stumbled across this thread and thought it could be valve seals. It was the hardest start to date. I'll report back if/when it happens again.