Camry White Smoke

[gqdabien]

I have had white/ light colored smoke come out from exhaust when i start up my car. This is not just overnight but sometimes when i let my car rest for 2 hours before starting up again. My mechanic told me its the moisture but i dont think so. What can it be? Could it be that my sparkplugs are going bad and isn't able to burn all the gas? Thanks

[uluahunta]

hah this happens with my car too but its been going on for almost 2 years and i still havent figured out what it is, it cant be anythingsimple as plugs cause i have changed my plugs and it did not affect it my car in in excellent running condition and i service everything that needs to be so i wouldnt really be worried. depending on how the wheater is were you live it could possibly be moisture accumulation in your exhaust. i dunno lemme know if u ever figure it out

[88 LE]

Worn / bad valve seals.

[TypeRex187]

it is one of the valve seals...ppl say it is a common toyota problem...umm if u don't push the car too hard and like no redlining and get good gasoline it should stop...datz what i did

[88 LE]

Originally posted by TypeRex187
it is one of the valve seals...ppl say it is a common toyota problem...umm if u don't push the car too hard and like no redlining and get good gasoline it should stop...datz what i did

The only way to fix it is to replace the valve seals.

[toyrolla]

Originally posted by 88 LE


The only way to fix it is to replace the valve seals.

Yep...not even 100 octane good gas will resolve the problem.

You just have to GET IN THERE AND GET DIRTY....

OR

Take it to the mechanic, who's ALREADY DIRTY, and let him get dirty....AGAIN......

hehehehehehehehehehehe

Ohhhhh, I love caffeine.....bad for me, but feels good....

[gqdabien]

What are the valve seals? Is it like a gasket btw the valve cover and head? How much would it cost ot fix? Thanks

[ekpolk]

Originally posted by gqdabien
What are the valve seals? Is it like a gasket btw the valve cover and head? How much would it cost ot fix? Thanks

The ones he's talking about are the ones that seal, or are supposed to seal, the stems of the valves. Once they are degraded, oil seeps down the stem, pooling slightly in the combustion chamber or the intake passage just before the chamber. On start, your engine smokes briefly as it burns off the pooled oil, and then appears to run fine, since the amount of dribble, on a per ignition basis, is so small that you see no more smoke until the next startup. Not a Toyota-exclusive problem. Back in the late 70s and early 80s, I saw this happen with my Dad's first Saab, a tired Model-99.

[Lo_Wang]

well, mine spats out light blue smoke, i went to the dealer, they basically said what you guys are saying, estimated cost with the dealer is $700 to $1000

[88 LE]

Originally posted by gqdabien
What are the valve seals? Is it like a gasket btw the valve cover and head?

The gasket between the valve cover and head is called a vavle cover gasket.

The valve seals are inside the head underneath the valve springs. Its not a diy job unless you have the right tools and know what your doing.

The seals are made out of rubber so as time goes on they get hard, brittle, and don't seal like they should.

When the engine cools off the seals shrink and let a little bit of oil (few drops) drip pass the valve into the combustion chamber. Thats why you see white / blue smoke on startup after the car has been sitting around.

When the engine is warm / hot the seals expand and seal up. Thats why you don't see white / blue smoke after startup or when driving around.

How much would it cost ot fix?

I was quoted $650 by a Toyota dealership to replace the valve seals on my 3S-FE.

The parts themselves (the seals) are around $120. I was going to replace the seals myself, but never bothered with it.