3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1992-1996 & 1997-2001
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
Hey guys, I have a new problem I would like some advice on. My wonderful little japmachine is blowing smoke the first few seconds after I start it. I'm thinking valve seal. What do you all think? And is this going to break bank or what? I've never had this problem on a car before.
If it's only on start up, it sounds like valve stem seals.
I have had the same problem for the past 2 years. I haven't fixed it because: 1) it hasn't gotten any worse 2) it doesn't hurt performance 3) I don't want to fix it myself 4) it costs too much to have it fixed.
This can happen by having the engine sit without being run for a prolonged period of time. The valve stem seals in these motors (at least the 5S-FE) are known to dry up if they don't see oil for a prolonged period of time. My seals leak because when I replaced my last motor (which I threw my #2 rod though the block and shattered the balance shafts) I bought a used motor, which obviously sat in a warehouse for some time prior to being purchased by me.
__________________ All of the lag, none of the boost.
VTEC It's like waiting for really bad sex.
It definitely has oil in it. And as far as sitting for too long, it just started a few weeks ago and I have been driving it almost every day. If the damage was done from sitting for too long it happened before I bought it and didn't show until now. Is guess that would be possible...? Could it have to with waiting too long to change the oil?
Mine smokes too when i start it up. It was sitting for years before i fixed er up My father suggested using thicker oil next time (first thing i did to the car was change it and i used the synthetic stuff). So probably within the next two weeks ill change it to thicker oil and see if that solves it. Best of luck!
My '97 has been blowing smoke on cold startup for some time now, maybe 8-10 months or so. I think the valve stem seals may have dried up as a result of low oil, 'cuz my engine goes through oil like no other, something like 1/2 it's capacity after 3500 miles. On the last oil change I switched to 10W-30 instead of the 5W-30 I used to put in it.
I have to agree that it's most likely worn valve stems seals that are causing the smoke at start-up. However, this isn't necessarily a major porblem. The only thing I would do right now is check the oil consumption frequently to monitor the amount of consumption. It may not be too bad.
TMetalMan,
Assuming you have the 4 cylinder 5SFE engine, the oil capacity is 3.8 quarts. Let's round it off to 4 quarts since most people just put in the whole 4 quarts at oil change time. If you are using half your oil in 3500 miles you are burning 2 quarts. That comes out to 1 quart every 1750 miles. That's not really that bad. You don't say how many miles are on the car but if it's got some mileage on it I would just top it off every 500-1000 miles. It can run forever like that.
Assuming you have the 4 cylinder 5SFE engine, the oil capacity is 3.8 quarts. Let's round it off to 4 quarts since most people just put in the whole 4 quarts at oil change time. If you are using half your oil in 3500 miles you are burning 2 quarts. That comes out to 1 quart every 1750 miles. That's not really that bad. You don't say how many miles are on the car but if it's got some mileage on it I would just top it off every 500-1000 miles. It can run forever like that.
Mike
I have been topping it off, but as you can imagine it's an annoyance especially since some of that oil it loses goes straight to the ground. It has 174,xxx miles right now and feels like it has plenty of life left.
"especially since some of that oil it loses goes straight to the ground."
I'm not quite sure what you mean by this statement. Are you saying that it's leaking oil, not just burning it? In either case at 174,000 miles 1 quart every 1750 miles is still not that bad.
In the past it was replaced by myself, without any sealant as specified in the service manual, but more recently I replaced it again and added the proper sealant stuff. It isn't leaking as much, but there's still some.
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My father suggested using thicker oil next time (first thing i did to the car was change it and i used the synthetic stuff). So probably within the next two weeks ill change it to thicker oil and see if that solves it. Best of luck!
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