C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Start up......smoke

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 14, 2011 | 07:42 PM
  #1  
john 72-04's Avatar
john 72-04
Thread Starter
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 252
Likes: 12
From: Fredericksburg Va.
Default Start up......smoke

I have a 72 base motor. When I start the car I get smoke , initial start cold a good amount for about 15 seconds. After a warm restart just a small amount. I know you guys will tell me this is coming from the top end and I agree. I have double sealed the valve stems and checked freeplay of the valve stems in the guides from the top. A little run out nothing that alarms me. I know this is not the proper way to check guides for play but it's the best way with the heads on. PCV has been changed so I'm not buliding excess crankcase pressure. I have no idea how many miles are on this engine but it runs to darn good to take apart. Uses about 1 quart in 3k miles. I've been putting up with this about two years now. It just bugs the sh&t out of me every time I start it. I really think that double sealing the stems should have taken care of this especially seeing how it appears the guides have some wear but nothing crazy. Am I overlooking anything ? I don't think the bottom end is the problem. Should I just live with it until it starts consuming oil and then pull it out and go through it ?
Reply
Old May 14, 2011 | 07:57 PM
  #2  
BTAL's Avatar
BTAL
Race Director
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 14,345
Likes: 4
From: Hartselle AL
St. Jude Donor '09
Default

Originally Posted by john 72-04
...
Should I just live with it until it starts consuming oil and then pull it out and go through it ?
I would 'cause if you pull it then you'll look at the car and say, that body could come off quick and easy.

Its all down hill from there.
Reply
Old May 14, 2011 | 08:26 PM
  #3  
Paul L's Avatar
Paul L
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Default

Try Castrol GTX High Mileage oil. Google will find it.

*Edit* - Ever aware of those who call additives snake oil, and will direct criticism in my direction, I will nevertheless suggest this product. My car sits for six months each winter and rubber seals shrink and can develop minor leaks even if intact and not worn. This additive restored things to normal in my power steering system and transmission. I put several ounces in my engine crankcase as well for front and rear seals. My garage floor is now dry. Google ATP 205 (I do not have shares). Of course if seals are finished and there are major leaks replace them.

Last edited by Paul L; May 15, 2011 at 01:37 PM.
Reply
Old May 14, 2011 | 10:16 PM
  #4  
Chromie69's Avatar
Chromie69
Racer
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: York Pa.
Default

When I got my car it ate oil for lunch..it sat for 12 years with only a few miles on it..is yours driven alot..it could be that things are gooped up..mine doesn't burn oil now..it just started to leak now! ! That high mile oil may be able to loosen things or swell things so it doesn't smoke..it would take time though..I don't think it smoking some when you start it is a big deal..at least on a engine that is running strong..
Reply
Old May 14, 2011 | 10:56 PM
  #5  
BPHORSEGUY's Avatar
BPHORSEGUY
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,763
Likes: 820
From: SUFFIELD CT USA 2023 C8 CORVETTE UN-MODIFIED FINALIST
2023 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

I heard a rumor that synthetic oil does not smoke or it smokes white. I do not know if this is true, maybe someone will chime in.
Reply
Old May 14, 2011 | 11:11 PM
  #6  
john 72-04's Avatar
john 72-04
Thread Starter
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 252
Likes: 12
From: Fredericksburg Va.
Default

Originally Posted by BPHORSEGUY
I heard a rumor that synthetic oil does not smoke or it smokes white. I do not know if this is true, maybe someone will chime in.
I heard the same thing. I spoke to a guy from Mobil oil who explained the structure of the molecules or something being more consistent then conventional oil. He told me to put synthetic in and it still may get some oil by the guides but you won't see any smoke. I've be reluctant to put it in because I'm afraid of oil leaks.
Reply
Old May 14, 2011 | 11:13 PM
  #7  
...Roger...'s Avatar
...Roger...
Race Director
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Default

Are you sure its engine oil smoke ?
Reply
Old May 14, 2011 | 11:29 PM
  #8  
john 72-04's Avatar
john 72-04
Thread Starter
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 252
Likes: 12
From: Fredericksburg Va.
Default

Originally Posted by ...Roger...
Are you sure its engine oil smoke ?
Yes sir.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-8

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
Old May 15, 2011 | 01:17 PM
  #9  
BPHORSEGUY's Avatar
BPHORSEGUY
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,763
Likes: 820
From: SUFFIELD CT USA 2023 C8 CORVETTE UN-MODIFIED FINALIST
2023 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

Originally Posted by john 72-04
I heard the same thing. I spoke to a guy from Mobil oil who explained the structure of the molecules or something being more consistent then conventional oil. He told me to put synthetic in and it still may get some oil by the guides but you won't see any smoke. I've be reluctant to put it in because I'm afraid of oil leaks.
I run synthetic in all my vehicles except my 94k mile vette because I'm worried about the solvency issue causing leaks!
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Start up......smoke





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:44 AM.

story-0
2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Is the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 the best Silverado yet?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-16 08:01:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers

Slideshow: 5 best and 5 worst Corvette daily drivers

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 10:32:13


VIEW MORE
story-2
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained

Slideshow: The headlights of every Corvette generation explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 10:17:14


VIEW MORE
story-3
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-5
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE