Engine Smoke
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: havelock nc
Engine Smoke
I have a 1978 corvette, when you first start it up in the morning it smokes a little until it warms up. Does anyone know what will cause this? Also the choke sticks. The smoke smells like gas. The engine is a L82 and it has about 86000 mile on it.
Last edited by molldog12; Aug 3, 2007 at 03:28 AM. Reason: would like email notification on comments
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,342
Likes: 7
From: Connecticut
Let the engine warm up to temp and then inspect the choke to see if it's wide open. If not, it needs to be adjusted or repaired.
What carb is on the car?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
White smoke could be as simple as condensation in your tail pipes which when burning off, creates the white smoke. The blue could be valve seals which have worn. If they are the original ones, this could be your problem. Keep your eye on the coolant level which of course should not drop. If the level remains steady, you should be okay. As for the blue smoke, if it burns off immediately and your spark plugs show no signs of oil (including oil on the threads, I wouldn't be too concerned about it. All this assumes your engine is in good shape and running properly. 
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: havelock nc
Thanks a lot for the info, I will have someone check the plugs. It also smokes a little if you get on it hard. I have planned to rebuild or get a crate engine when I get Back from Iraq. I am not happy with the 220 Hp. I would like to upgrade to about 350 to 400 Hp. I just haven't decided if it is more cost effective to rebuild or go crate.
Thanks, Joe
Thanks, Joe
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
Thanks a lot for the info, I will have someone check the plugs. It also smokes a little if you get on it hard. I have planned to rebuild or get a crate engine when I get Back from Iraq. I am not happy with the 220 Hp. I would like to upgrade to about 350 to 400 Hp. I just haven't decided if it is more cost effective to rebuild or go crate.
Thanks, Joe
Thanks, Joe
CF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 19,355
Likes: 5,240
From: Cape Cod, Mass.
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C8 of the Year Finalist Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C1 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C2 of Year
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
Sounds like you may have two issues going on. Faulty choke and worn valve seals.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,708
Likes: 266
From: indy indiana
White smoke could be as simple as condensation in your tail pipes which when burning off, creates the white smoke. The blue could be valve seals which have worn. If they are the original ones, this could be your problem. Keep your eye on the coolant level which of course should not drop. If the level remains steady, you should be okay. As for the blue smoke, if it burns off immediately and your spark plugs show no signs of oil (including oil on the threads, I wouldn't be too concerned about it. All this assumes your engine is in good shape and running properly.
and thanks solider,for being over in the sand box.
