2000 camry cold morning smoke

[DennisS]

Hi, I'm new to this site, so hi to all.I have a 2000 camery fi 4cyl 118,000. A few months ago i replaced all the belts and the water pump. About a month age i started to notice some white smoke when i started the car in the morning to go to work. After seeing this a few times, i jumped out of the car to try and get a good sniff of the smoke. There isn't a burned oil smell or anti-freeze smell. It doesn't happen every time. Could it be a senser or could it be getting to much fuel? I replaced the timing belt myself, If the timing is off a little bit, would that cause it? Sorry for being so long winded. Thanks

[1996camry]

Does the smoke go away quickly or stay for a long time? If the smoke goes away quickly, the oil steam seals are worn. when the oil steam seals are worn, you see a little smoke when you push gas..and it goes away quickly.

I have 2000 Toyota Camry, and the car sometimes smoke release when I press gas at dead stop. the smoke result bad oil steam seals are worn for normal tear. keep your oil change every 3k to help...

right now, I wait...

the timebelt you did, it has nothing to do with smoke on your car.

[carsrus]

If your fluid levels are not changing I wouldent sweat it. Might just be some steam coming out etc. No biggie.

[DennisS]

0nly in the morning and after it has sat during work. A puff of smoke and then gone. I have always changed the oil at 3k since new. I have noticed a little oil use, about a half quart between oil change. Is replacing the seals a hard job? Are special tool required? I have always done my own repairs. Does the head have to be removed?
Thanks

[mr.nitro]

sounds like a tiny bit of coolant is leaking into the cylinders when it sits. could be a few causes for that.id check your head gasket. do a pressure check to see you you have a leak somewhere in the system.

if the smoke was more blueish, id say it was oil, but white tells me coolant.

what I do it wait till it becomes a bigger problem and has to be fixed. it usually costs the same, but sometimes it never devoleps into a bigger problem.

[DennisS]

I first thought head gasket so I watched fluid level, but say no change. Just recently I have noticed some oil loss. I'm thinking it might be valve stem seals. Can they be changed with out removing the head? Are special tools required? I've always done most of my own repairs.
Thanks

[tondoboy]

Originally Posted by DennisS

I first thought head gasket so I watched fluid level, but say no change. Just recently I have noticed some oil loss. I'm thinking it might be valve stem seals. Can they be changed with out removing the head? Are special tools required? I've always done most of my own repairs.
Thanks

I am having the same problem with my 94 camry v6 le. It is only on the cold start and when the car has been sitting a while that it happens. Did your smoke go away? What did you do to repair it? Your feedback is greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[JohnGD]

Check this DIY:
http://www.lextreme.com/valve_seals.html

Toyota used cheaper seals in the intake. These may be the source of your problems. However, when replacing I prefer to use Fel-Pro's stem seals. Check rockauto.com for prices.

You can use the "rope trick" instead of the valve holder with a compressor. Just get several feet of 5/16" or 3/8" nylon rope from Home Depot. It's like $4-5.

But as suggested, make sure it's not coolant leaking out into the cylinders.

Originally Posted by DennisS

I first thought head gasket so I watched fluid level, but say no change. Just recently I have noticed some oil loss. I'm thinking it might be valve stem seals. Can they be changed with out removing the head? Are special tools required? I've always done most of my own repairs.
Thanks

[JohnGD]

In the early stage of valve stem seal leaks the oil pools around the valve after sitting a while. And when you start the engine the oil burns and produces white smoke with a bluish tint (blue smoke).

In the late stage of the disease it can smoke during deceleration as you close of the throttle (high engine vacuum).

But another source is piston rings.

Originally Posted by tondoboy

I am having the same problem with my 94 camry v6 le. It is only on the cold start and when the car has been sitting a while that it happens. Did your smoke go away? What did you do to repair it? Your feedback is greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[fenixus]

most likely it's the valve stem seals going weak, nothing uncommon.

I had this problem in past with '00 solara (white bluish puff of smoke on every cold start also in Summer) ... but somehow miraculously the issue went away on its own after I switched it to synthetic oils and sea foamed ( I also replaced spark plugs & wires at that time) ... don't ask me how, but it's not doing it anymore..

don't get it confused with white smoke in terms of steam in high humidity climates (no bluish tint to smoke).

also in Winter almost all cars (always wondering why not all of them) produce visible white "smoke" because of temperature difference, but that would rather be steam too

if you have a coolant leak into engine oil (minor HG issue), then the smoke will be white like snow and will have a sweet distinct smell (coolant). most likely it would not disappear after warm up but rather stay more or less all the time.

[JohnGD]

One of the things OP and Tondoboy can try is Valvoline MaxLife engine oil. This high mileage oil does have seal conditioners that may help, and can buy you some time. Check the price at your local Walmart.