Huffing smoke at start up

[BigM460]

My car has started puffing smoke at start up the last couple weeks.:( Definitely oil smoke, by smell and color. Clears right up in moments.
Any ideas on cause? Doesn't use any that you can detect between oil changes. Puddling in the intake maybe? No catch can or oil separator. Daily driven Novi 2200 on reman cobra long block, 27000 miles on engine.

[fastblackmerc]

My car has started puffing smoke at start up the last couple weeks.:( Definitely oil smoke, by smell and color. Clears right up in moments.
Any ideas on cause? Doesn't use any that you can detect between oil changes. Puddling in the intake maybe? No catch can or oil separator. Daily driven Novi 2200 on reman cobra long block, 27000 miles on engine.

Common issue. I wouldn't worry about it.

[tbone]

My car has started puffing smoke at start up the last couple weeks.:( Definitely oil smoke, by smell and color. Clears right up in moments.
Any ideas on cause? Doesn't use any that you can detect between oil changes. Puddling in the intake maybe? No catch can or oil separator. Daily driven Novi 2200 on reman cobra long block, 27000 miles on engine.

The answer is highlighted.

[BigM460]

Thanks for the replies.
Something else to spend some bucks on!:o

[ctrlraven]

JLT has a nice little unit without breaking the bank.

[IwantmyMMnow!]

I have a billet oil catch can made by Sparta that I won at MV 11 raffle...still NIB.

PM me if you'd be interested in buying it.

[RR|Suki]

Even with an oil separator it will smoke, sorry. It's more a head issue than the pcv. Separator certainly won't hurt, but it won't make the smoking stop.

Mine has done it for 8+ years now, I just shake my fist at the car and then forget about it.

[ctrlraven]

Wasn't it narrowed down to the valve stem seals being replaced? Once they cool down and shrink it allowed a little bit of oil to get into the combustion chamber.

[RR|Suki]

Wasn't it narrowed down to the valve stem seals being replaced? Once they cool down and shrink it allowed a little bit of oil to get into the combustion chamber.

That's the way I understood it too. I figure it adds character at this point :burnout:

[Zack]

Its valve seals. Either replace them or don't worry about it.
A catch can or separator will not fix the problem, that's poor advice

[ctrlraven]

Its valve seals. Either replace them or don't worry about it.
A catch can or separator will not fix the problem, that's poor advice
:burnout:

http://www.briantooleyracing.com/modular-4v-valve-seal-kit.html
http://cdn2.bigcommerce.com/server4900/cfdeb/products/102/images/324/VS_Mod_4V_A__39222.1353014982. 450.450.JPG?c=1

[RR|Suki]

Its valve seals. Either replace them or don't worry about it.
A catch can or separator will not fix the problem, that's poor advice

I always figured one day when I have money to burn I'd fix the seals, get some different cams, maybe even port and polish and what not... still waiting on that day :flamer:

[Vortech347]

My 03' did it from first day of ownership with 28k on it.
My 04' only does it around 1 in 4 starts.
My 03' Cobra does it if it sits for more than a week or two. (only 46k on it)

[RF Overlord]

Mine has done it for 8+ years now, I just shake my fist at the car and then forget about it.:rofl: Good one...

[babbage]

Auto-Rx will clean and recondition the seals. Then it won't smoke.

My MM used to smoke on start quite a bit. Not any more....

http://www.auto-rx.com/ - highly recommend - follow directions.


http://www.auto-rx.com/wp-content/uploads/comp4.jpg

[tbone]

First I've heard of the valve seals being the issue. Everyone always blames the pcv valve, intake system, hence the catch cans, etc.

Mine was doing it a lot for a while over the beginning of the winter. I was even a quart low on oil for the first time ever. Now it hasn't done it in a long time. Wtf?

[Marauderjack]

Its valve seals. Either replace them or don't worry about it.
A catch can or separator will not fix the problem, that's poor advice

^^^+10^^^:beer:

[BigM460]

Just glad to know it's what I thought it was. Not real concerned, just looks bad and STINKS.
Wifey is quick to tell what she thinks about it. :rolleyes:

Good humor in a couple posts! Never thought about shaking my first at it. :)

[Motorhead350]

It's the cars morning fart.

[larryo340]

^^^+10^^^:beer:

A friend of mine with a Marauder at 32,000 miles last summer had to change the valve seals for that very reason. Mine at about 130,000 miles does it on a very rare occasion.... From what I've seen it seems to happen more to cars with low mileage as opposed to cars with higher mileage.

[tbone]

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[JohnE]

Worn valve guides and/or worn valve stem seals that cause this. Warning that even if you put new valve stem seals and you have worn valve guides, it'll still puff smoke at crank every now and then.

If yours does this at every startup, you should consider new valve stem seals. Can be done with the engine in place, using the right tools. Me personally, I'd pull the engine and address a variety of maintenance issues before doing a DOHC seal swap in place.


John

[tbone]

Hasn't done it in a long while. I'll worry about it when my supercharger blows a hole in the block somewhere.

[lifespeed]

Worn valve guides and/or worn valve stem seals that cause this. Warning that even if you put new valve stem seals and you have worn valve guides, it'll still puff smoke at crank every now and then.

If yours does this at every startup, you should consider new valve stem seals. Can be done with the engine in place, using the right tools. Me personally, I'd pull the engine and address a variety of maintenance issues before doing a DOHC seal swap in place.


John

Smoke at startup is the classic valve stem seal and/or valve guide issue. On most any motor, not just the 4.6L DOHC.

If you have the heads off the most correct thing to do is a complete valve job with new guides and seals. Of course you should change the timing set too while you're in there, and, well, the list grows.

[Marauderjack]

Smoke at startup is the classic valve stem seal and/or valve guide issue. On most any motor, not just the 4.6L DOHC.

If you have the heads off the most correct thing to do is a complete valve job with new guides and seals. Of course you should change the timing set too while you're in there, and, well, the list grows.

If this is true why has mine and others quit smoking with high miles and age!!:cool:

Mine actually smoked worse when it had less than 100K miles on it.....about 1 out of every 3 starts......has not done it in a couple years now!!:beer:

[lifespeed]

If this is true why has mine and others quit smoking with high miles and age!!:cool:

Mine actually smoked worse when it had less than 100K miles on it.....about 1 out of every 3 starts......has not done it in a couple years now!!:beer:

Burned oil deposits building up in the valve guides? Who knows . . . But smoking just at start up is pretty well understood to be valve guide related. Smoking on acceleration is usually piston rings. Some things don't change regardless of engine design details.

The forensic analysis you promised when your engine finally gives up the ghost should be interesting. Or more optimistically, you can no longer resist a powerful new engine.

[Marauderjack]

Burned oil deposits building up in the valve guides? Who knows . . . But smoking just at start up is pretty well understood to be valve guide related. Smoking on acceleration is usually piston rings. Some things don't change regardless of engine design details.

The forensic analysis you promised when your engine finally gives up the ghost should be interesting. Or more optimistically, you can no longer resist a powerful new engine.

Burned oil on valve guides??:cool:

I use oil in my gas......have from day one and I doubt this is what has sealed it up....if that's what you are referring to??:shake:

I do know that if you start these cars COLD and move them to a new parking spot and turn them off the next time you crank them they blow smoke like with Seafoam...but not quite as bad!!:eek:

Beats me but it runs like new....actually better...cannot complain!!:bows:

[lifespeed]

Engine vacuum draws engine oil past the valve guide between the valve stem and guide. When the engine sits oil in the guide runs down the valve and puddles on the back of the intake valve, burning in a cloud at startup. This is a very well understood mechanism regardless of what brand of engine.

I thought the "who knows" comment would make it clear I don't know why your engine does or does not smoke under certain conditions, parking spaces or phases of the moon. I think it is likely if/when you rebuild the engine you'll find the valve guides and seals are worn. Big surprise.

[Marauderjack]

It has never used oil between changes and does not smoke on start up NOW......no abnormal noises and runs like new......BIG SURPRISE!!:rolleyes::shake:

[lifespeed]

If this is true why has mine and others quit smoking with high miles and age!!:cool:

Mine actually smoked worse when it had less than 100K miles on it.....about 1 out of every 3 starts......has not done it in a couple years now!!:beer:


It has never used oil between changes and does not smoke on start up......no abnormal noises and runs like new......BIG SURPRISE!!:rolleyes::shake:

. . . . ^ ^ ^

[Marauderjack]

Fixed #29!!:D

[tbone]

Wtf is the need for the pvc filters then? Old discussions always blamed the pvc system for oil getting in the intake and causing the smoke.

[Marauderjack]

Wtf is the need for the pvc filters then? Old discussions always blamed the pvc system for oil getting in the intake and causing the smoke.

Oil fumes (lights) and water vapor come through the PCV system and help keep the oil clean.....extending engine life while reducing pollution!!:beer:

There will be some condensation in your intake and some crud build-up that looks ugly but hurts nothing that I can see......why are folks lookin' in there anyway??:eek:

If you have raw oil accumulation in your intake you have bigger problems and a Hell of a lot of blowby!!:(

[tbone]

______________________________

[Marauderjack]

How about extending oil life and engine life 5x or more??:rolleyes:

PCV was invented by the Military back in the 50's and was rapidly adopted by the automotive industry...the rest is history!!:beer:

[BigM460]

Put an in line oil separator from each valve cover and some Lucas oil leak seal conditioner with oil change. Not a puff since! :)
Now to see what happens after the next oil change without the Lucas?

[tbone]

How about extending oil life and engine life 5x or more??:rolleyes:

PCV was invented by the Military back in the 50's and was rapidly adopted by the automotive industry...the rest is history!!:beer:

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