Got my first Vet!
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Sussex- United Kingdom
Got my first Vet!
Hi guys.Got my first vet 2 days ago.An 86 Dark metallic red,with beige leather.Lovely car .Although ive got a couple of questions.
When it starts up theres a small amount of white smoke,its got 77k on the clock,is this a bit early to be smoking on start up? It clears within a matter of seconds
Secondly,i have ocasionaly had a Service warning come on,and i noticed when i started it up today it was on constantly and as i kept trying to get off the driveway it was stalling (its an auto btw,the revs just died) Are these two related?
Also,im going to service it soon,for peace of mind.Anyone got any tips to make sure i keep it running as nice as possible,oil types etc
Cheers guys
When it starts up theres a small amount of white smoke,its got 77k on the clock,is this a bit early to be smoking on start up? It clears within a matter of seconds
Secondly,i have ocasionaly had a Service warning come on,and i noticed when i started it up today it was on constantly and as i kept trying to get off the driveway it was stalling (its an auto btw,the revs just died) Are these two related?
Also,im going to service it soon,for peace of mind.Anyone got any tips to make sure i keep it running as nice as possible,oil types etc
Cheers guys
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Welcome to the Forum, I too am new, but everyone here seems really friendly!!
I think the little puff of white may be normal. My TGP did at low miles, and back before by bro blew the head gasket at 40,000 miles on the 87 TPI it also had that little puff. (not saying it had anything to do with the head gasket, that was his own stupidity).
Correct someone me if i am wrong, but i have always assumed the white puff to just be water that had condensed in the motor from the last time it was shut off?
I think the little puff of white may be normal. My TGP did at low miles, and back before by bro blew the head gasket at 40,000 miles on the 87 TPI it also had that little puff. (not saying it had anything to do with the head gasket, that was his own stupidity).
Correct someone me if i am wrong, but i have always assumed the white puff to just be water that had condensed in the motor from the last time it was shut off?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Congrats, my friend, on the purchase of this fine automobile and the entry into the best automotive society in existence; the CF/C4 guys!
This group is a wonderful source of knowledge and advice, and we are all willing to help.
The first bit of advice I can give is this:
The correct spelling of your car's name is Corvette, or Vette for short.
It is not vet, or Vet or even vette. It is a proper name and has a proper spelling.
As a newbie, you can be excused for this faux pas, but only once.
Enjoy.
Larry
code5coupe
This group is a wonderful source of knowledge and advice, and we are all willing to help.
The first bit of advice I can give is this:
The correct spelling of your car's name is Corvette, or Vette for short.
It is not vet, or Vet or even vette. It is a proper name and has a proper spelling.
As a newbie, you can be excused for this faux pas, but only once.
Enjoy.
Larry
code5coupe
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 897
Likes: 12
From: Land of Whiskey Rebels, PA
I don't think a puff of any smoke on start-up is good. Sounds like it COULD be worn valve guides. That would be a bluish smoke. White "smoke" could be steam from coolant, an indication of head gasket trouble.
I've had valve-guide problems on a Chevy 283, a 305, a 307, a 350, and a V-6 in an S-10. Pretty minor compared to Fords and Mopars, I'd say.
I, too, am a new (6 months) owner. While my 'vette is a '90, it is still an L-98 engine. It has 39,000 miles on it and I have not noticed any smoke yet, thank God. As for oil, I have changed to a full-synthetic oil. Pep Boys has been running sales on oil last month and this month--$1.99 a qt. with mail-in rebate on 6 qts. I'm getting as many 6-qt. cases as I can. I buy Purolator oil filters on sale, too (of course). I DO NOT buy Fram.
When installing the new filter, fill the filter up to about 3/4 of the way with oil, and then screw it on. You avoid a "dry start" that way.
Sorry I couldn't be of more help, but I'm new, too.
'vette is acceptable, isn't it Larry?
I've had valve-guide problems on a Chevy 283, a 305, a 307, a 350, and a V-6 in an S-10. Pretty minor compared to Fords and Mopars, I'd say.
I, too, am a new (6 months) owner. While my 'vette is a '90, it is still an L-98 engine. It has 39,000 miles on it and I have not noticed any smoke yet, thank God. As for oil, I have changed to a full-synthetic oil. Pep Boys has been running sales on oil last month and this month--$1.99 a qt. with mail-in rebate on 6 qts. I'm getting as many 6-qt. cases as I can. I buy Purolator oil filters on sale, too (of course). I DO NOT buy Fram.
When installing the new filter, fill the filter up to about 3/4 of the way with oil, and then screw it on. You avoid a "dry start" that way.
Sorry I couldn't be of more help, but I'm new, too.
'vette is acceptable, isn't it Larry?
Last edited by j-wireman; Oct 9, 2006 at 05:33 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Originally Posted by j-wireman
When installing the new filter, fill the filter up to about 3/4 of the way with oil, and then screw it on.
Larry
code5coupe
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 5
From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
Originally Posted by Swirlye30
Hi guys.Got my first vet 2 days ago.An 86 Dark metallic red,with beige leather.Lovely car .Although ive got a couple of questions.
When it starts up theres a small amount of white smoke,its got 77k on the clock,is this a bit early to be smoking on start up? It clears within a matter of seconds
Secondly,i have ocasionaly had a Service warning come on,and i noticed when i started it up today it was on constantly and as i kept trying to get off the driveway it was stalling (its an auto btw,the revs just died) Are these two related?
Also,im going to service it soon,for peace of mind.Anyone got any tips to make sure i keep it running as nice as possible,oil types etc
Cheers guys
When it starts up theres a small amount of white smoke,its got 77k on the clock,is this a bit early to be smoking on start up? It clears within a matter of seconds
Secondly,i have ocasionaly had a Service warning come on,and i noticed when i started it up today it was on constantly and as i kept trying to get off the driveway it was stalling (its an auto btw,the revs just died) Are these two related?
Also,im going to service it soon,for peace of mind.Anyone got any tips to make sure i keep it running as nice as possible,oil types etc
Cheers guys
BTW welcome aboard!
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Sussex- United Kingdom
Cheers guys! The smoke issuse is slightly worrying 
Cars running sweet apart from that.Changes gear fine (slight jerk when going into Reverse),diff is fine,no winning.Someone i know said that a lot of chevy engines puff when started up,be interesting to hear from more people!
Im a car valeter/detailer,so im looking to make it look perfect first.Then think about maybe some basic performance parts,bolt on i think,cant be bothered to get my hands dirty on this car lol,too much of that on my camaro!
Cars running sweet apart from that.Changes gear fine (slight jerk when going into Reverse),diff is fine,no winning.Someone i know said that a lot of chevy engines puff when started up,be interesting to hear from more people!Im a car valeter/detailer,so im looking to make it look perfect first.Then think about maybe some basic performance parts,bolt on i think,cant be bothered to get my hands dirty on this car lol,too much of that on my camaro!
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Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Sussex- United Kingdom
Oh by the way guys,not sure if it helps.But when the cars running and in one place (only noticed it when im on my driveway with the car running) it smells of fuel a fair bit.Could too much fuel mean it leaves some excess in the intake? Causing it to be burnt when started?Or am i just making that up lol
Cruising
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Kaneohe HI
i also have a puff of blueish smoke on start up on my 85 when the engine is still warm. i assume one of the rings is just leaky. i also get that gas smell sometimes in the 85. though it might be because of the gas cap i bought..
oh well, the 89 runs like a champ..
oh well, the 89 runs like a champ..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
fuel
check under the hood for any fuel leaks, puddling, or residue around the injectors, fuel rail, pressure regulator,fuel lines.
The fuel pressure is around 40 pounds, so it will squirt all over if your not careful, and catch fire. so look real good.
on my 86, under the car, just past the driver's seat area, there is a little 2 inch section of 3/16 hose (it might be encased in undercoating). it is the evaporative emissions vent.
when the gas tank pressure builds a little, and this hose deteriorates, you will smell fuel almost every time you get out of the car, but not while you are driving
changing this hose fixed my problem
The fuel pressure is around 40 pounds, so it will squirt all over if your not careful, and catch fire. so look real good.
on my 86, under the car, just past the driver's seat area, there is a little 2 inch section of 3/16 hose (it might be encased in undercoating). it is the evaporative emissions vent.
when the gas tank pressure builds a little, and this hose deteriorates, you will smell fuel almost every time you get out of the car, but not while you are driving
changing this hose fixed my problem
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,370
Likes: 1
From: Raleigh NC
Originally Posted by zoro
Smoke on startup is usually valve seals. Tends to be blue but sometimes its hard to tell color.
It's the valve seals. Relatively inexpensive to replace. They are the little rubber seals that sit at the base of the valves. When they age and harden, they allow oil to drip into the combustion chamber. After the car has been sitting a while, enough oil has made it to the combustion chamber to cause a little puff of white smoke when you crank it. It will get worse slowly over time. It really should not hurt the motor unless it gets really bad. Go ahead and have them replace. My guess is $200 to $300.Welcome to the club!
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Sussex- United Kingdom
Cheers guys.Apprieciate the help!
Save me starting another thread,does anyone know of a way to bypass the Service light.Its saying "Engine Service soon" or somthing,but im going to get it serviced at my work and they wont have the diagnostic equiptment to turn the light off. I know on these older cars its quite easy to bypass it.
Save me starting another thread,does anyone know of a way to bypass the Service light.Its saying "Engine Service soon" or somthing,but im going to get it serviced at my work and they wont have the diagnostic equiptment to turn the light off. I know on these older cars its quite easy to bypass it.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,324
Likes: 250
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Originally Posted by Swirlye30
Cheers guys.Apprieciate the help!
Save me starting another thread,does anyone know of a way to bypass the Service light.Its saying "Engine Service soon" or somthing,but im going to get it serviced at my work and they wont have the diagnostic equiptment to turn the light off. I know on these older cars its quite easy to bypass it.
Save me starting another thread,does anyone know of a way to bypass the Service light.Its saying "Engine Service soon" or somthing,but im going to get it serviced at my work and they wont have the diagnostic equiptment to turn the light off. I know on these older cars its quite easy to bypass it.
The SES light is on because the cars computer is telling you something is wrong. You can check what code it is trying to tell you by putting a paper clip in the "A" and "B" slots of the ALDL connector (above your knee when in drivers seat)
With "A" and "B" jumped and the key on, the SES light will flash number 12 three times= flash, pause, flash, flash. Then it will go through the codes and repeat them 3 times, and then finish with 12 again(3 times).
Once you know what code numbers, we can help you diagnose.
http://members.shaw.ca/corvette86/No...it%20Check.pdf
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 96,443
Likes: 9
From: Fort Knox, KY
Cruise-In IV Veteran
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Welcome to the Forum. Get a Factory Service Manual for your Corvette from http://www.factoryautomanuals.com/
It's the Helm's Manual, which will be one of the best investments in your car you can make.
It's the Helm's Manual, which will be one of the best investments in your car you can make.
