Morning smoke from tailpipe - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

DJAY · 10-23-2009, 12:30 AM

My 03 I4 Camry (84k) has been giving out smoke from tailpipe every morning at coldstart for the last four months. It lasts for a few seconds but then vanishes until next morning. Its whitish in color. I have been monitoring my coolant level and that has been stagnant. My engine oil level has also been maintained.

Can someone help diagnose this problem or confirm if this is normal? I am concerned bacause it happens only in the morning at cold start and not sure if my engine is getting slowly ruined.
Thanks,

gdanaher · 10-23-2009, 07:03 AM

If this smoked all summer (in Houston) then it isn't condensation. With your mileage the odds-on favorite is worn valve stem seals. What oil is on the stem when it stops simply runs down the stem into the exhaust port and the next day it burns off. Not a lot of oil involved here but it hapens. It can be repaired without pulling the head off but is generally not a big issue and just indicates that the engine isn't new any more. Check the oil level from time to time to see if the problem gets worse. Cars have been doing this since there were cars.

DJAY · 10-23-2009, 11:50 AM

The car has been garage parked at night for last 3 yrs.

Should I check for compression power of my engine?

Also, I checked my oil level before cold start and was surprised to find that the oil level is quite above the 'High' mark. Could this be a possible reason? If yes, wouldn't the increased engine pressure would have caused the check engine light to go 'on'. I have never had a check engine light.
Thnx,

njerald · 10-23-2009, 12:38 PM

Here's the twice yearly repeat, repeat morning exhaust thread again........

gdanaher · 10-23-2009, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJAY

The car has been garage parked at night for last 3 yrs.

This has nothing to do with oil consumption.

Should I check for compression power of my engine?

Sure, it wouldn't hurt, but it has little or nothing to do with valve stem seal leaks.

Also, I checked my oil level before cold start and was surprised to find that the oil level is quite above the 'High' mark. Could this be a possible reason?

No. It might encourage oil consumption while operating, but again, nothing to do with valve stem seal leaks. Check the PVC valve though to see that it is clear, and that the valve cover isn't gooped up. Actually if this was the problem you would be using a great deal of oil if used at length at highway speeds.
If yes, wouldn't the increased engine pressure would have caused the check engine light to go 'on'.

No. Check engine lights are nearly exclusively used for emission related issues.

I have never had a check engine light.
Thnx,