[famous182]

I've noticed that EVERYTIME i start my car theres a puff of blue smoke from the exhaust. i did a search and the results where all about the valve seals but theirs only did it on a cold start. Mine does it every time.

Could it still be the same problem??

thanks

btw: 97 camry/4cyl/114.000miles

 

[SmokingTires]

Blue smoke? Your burning oil my friend. Could be the valve cover gaskets, head gaskets, or your valves seats might be uneven. It could be a number of things.

Most likely a gasket. Bring it in to your mechanic and have it checked out.


By "every time", do you mean all the time?

If so, try this. Check your oil, remember the level. and then two days later, check your oil again and match the difference. This will tell you how badly you are burning oil. From there, you will know how urgent is. But my best advice is take it in soon.

 

[z168]

that means youre burning oil

white (excessive) smoke = water leak
blue = oil leak

try to do a compression test. get the standard reading from each cylinder to find out if the leak is from your piston rings

 

[famous182]

SmokingTiresV6- Yes every time


Thanks everyone

 

[SmokingTires]

White smoke= coolant (not just water)

Standard compression should be 90psi.

It's more likely to be valve related than piston rings. Camrys at high miles tend to have valve/head related leaks, and any car for that matter.

But there is the chance it could be the piston rings. But I don't think you could have fried them unless you have really been running that car hard.

 

[Deuce]

fyi, at least a $220 repair at a Yota dealer.

 

[SmokingTires]

^
I'd never go to a dealer.

My mechanic is too good

And dealers screw you for every penny. They wanted $115 for a new front 1/4 panel. I got it for $35 through my supplier.

 

[Deuce]

i got a fab mechanic too that i would take this problem too, except he quoted me $190, so I just said fuck it, pour new oil in mine, keep the revs low and buy a new oil filter every 4k miles.

 

[famous182]

I dont run the car that hard. i just went out to check the oil and its really good changed it at 12.000miles and now it need just under 100miles for a change. i do the oil filter every 3k along with the oil. but im gunna do wat Smokintires said to check the oil in 2 days and see of it is burning oil.

if thats not the problem what else should i look for??

thanks everyone

 

[Deuce]

you're burning oil man. It's just a matter of figuring out where the leak is coming from. If you're changing oil every 12k miles you're running dirty oil in your block, and debris could've messed with one of the seals.

BTW you're supposed to do it every 3000 miles if you do mostly city miles, and 5000 if mostly highway (20 miles non-stop trips).

 

[kenratboy]

Yeah, I do synthetic oil and a filter every 3-4k - no reason not to, it saves the engine.

 

[famous182]

MY BAD i meant the last time i changed the oil was at 12.000 and that it has under 100miles before i need to change the oil. i do the oil change every 3000miles along with the oil filter. My bad.

so its definitly burning oil. ill have it checkd out prolly tommarow

thanks

 

[Nico]

Yep you are definitely burning oil and I am 99% sure it's coming from your valve seals. BTW What type of oil are you running ? Perhaps running on a thicker oil could do... ?

 

[Tommy]

anyone ever gotten the valve seals replaced? how much does that run? with a 16valve engine?

 

[Deuce]

roughly $300-350 at a dealer

you could probably get by at $250 at a regular shop.

 

[Your Uncle Moe]

Put in a bottle of Lucas Oil Stabalizer. That might help temporarily.

 

[amerikim]

Lucas,
Are you losing oil? Black plugs? Engine problems?
If not, just keep checking that oil level and drive it.
When it gets worse, then explore your options again.
Meanwhile start saving your pennies 'cause the fix isn't cheap

 

[initial-T]

eck...dealerships. they are evil.

 

[famous182]

Ok im running Castrol syntec 10w-40 with a Bosch oil filter.

so i guess im burning oil.

any suggestions as to how to fix it??


thanks

 

[Tommy]

take it to a mechanic, tell them you are buring oil and they will fix it?