Smoking on Startup
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 51
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From: Gadsden AL
Smoking on Startup
I've noticed my 86 with 75,000 miles smoking a little on startup (gray smoke). It doesn't appear to smoke other than that. Also, no decernible use of oil - probably less than a quart between changes. Any ideas as to cause, how soon it needs attention, and cost? Any help appreciated.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,300
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From: Mississauga, Ontario Corvettes were built to be driven...not trailered
St Jude Donor '07-'08-'09
Re: Smoking on Startup (goodson)
Sounds like value seals to me. I had this happen 2 years ago and unfortunately it only gets worse...not right away, but over the next 8-12 months. The performance downside is a slight reduction in HP and some minor oil consumption...other than that its just the embarrassment of starting your car at the end of the Cruise Night...
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,506
Likes: 4
From: Vancouver,Wa.
Re: Smoking on Startup (Quik86)
There are two ways to fix this and both are a PITA. If you have cast heads you are wasting your time in putting any money into them. If you have the aluminum heads you can get new seals or just have them redone.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 497
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From: Work is the curse of the drinking classes
Re: Smoking on Startup (corvette0096)
So, I have the same problem at 119k. Not that I don't think it is the valve seals, but I was also questioning the piston rings? Are you guys 100% sure it is the valve seals and not the rings? or a combo of both?
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 68
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From: Leominster MA
Re: Smoking on Startup (goodson)
Seals. My 87 does it too. I was advised on the Forum about a year ago that switching to synthetic oil may help; in my case it did not, and I leak a few drops of oil now (with the synth) where it did not leak before. If mine gets worse over the years I'll get the seals replaced, but it's about the same now as it was when I first noticed. I just went over 50,000 miles. I don't go to Cruise-ins so I just embarrass myself with the neighbors in the morning and coworkers in the evening. :bb :D
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Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,691
Likes: 1
From: Framingham MA
Re: Smoking on Startup (goodson)
valve seals, when I was looking for my corvette 8 years ago, you could tell which C4 had over 50K miles, by whether or not it at start up. The only car that I saw that was an exception, the owner had replaced already replaced the valve seals.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
From: Work is the curse of the drinking classes
Re: Smoking on Startup (dgoodhue)
That is a funny thing about these corvettes. Any problem I have ever had, loads of other folks have had the same problem. That says a lot for Chevrolet. Since all of the cars have the same problems, that means these problems were DESIGNED in and not a shortcoming in production processes.
Shoot, if GM had perfect designs, and the production processes slipped, then we would all have different problems and the forum wouldn't be helpful. God bless GM engineers, every last one of them. Thank you for making mistakes that all Corvette owners could share, and in turn grow closer in doing so.
Sincerely,
into01000101
:)
Shoot, if GM had perfect designs, and the production processes slipped, then we would all have different problems and the forum wouldn't be helpful. God bless GM engineers, every last one of them. Thank you for making mistakes that all Corvette owners could share, and in turn grow closer in doing so.
Sincerely,
into01000101
:)
Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 599
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Re: Smoking on Startup (goodson)
Yes, It is the seals. I 'd put in new o-ring seals plus pop over umbrella seals on every valve guide top. That will fix it. The way to tell if it is something else is to run a compression test. Then squirt some oil in each cylinder and do it again if compression raises alot it is rings.
Good luck, just my opinion. I had the same problem on my 72 vette. The above fix took care of it.
Good luck, just my opinion. I had the same problem on my 72 vette. The above fix took care of it.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,767
Likes: 5
From: Jacksonville Fl
Re: Smoking on Startup (into01000101)
Yes, it is valve guide seals. Change the springs when you change the seals...your engine will thank you. :)
...You think Chevy has a problem with these? Look at Toyota...everyone with over 20K miles on any 1998 or newer Toyota has the same problem...and there is even a class action lawsuit being filed right now because of Toyota's refusal to fix them.
Any problem I have ever had, loads of other folks have had the same problem. That says a lot for Chevrolet. Since all of the cars have the same problems, that means these problems were DESIGNED in and not a shortcoming in production processes.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
Re: Smoking on Startup (BBA)
Just out of interest ,try disconnecting your ninth injector by pulling the plug off.
It's located on the driver's side of the manifold about half way along under the fuel rail.
I did this and I no longer get a puff of smoke at startup
It's located on the driver's side of the manifold about half way along under the fuel rail.
I did this and I no longer get a puff of smoke at startup
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 68
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From: Leominster MA
Re: Smoking on Startup (65Z01)
Yea, at least we can rely on the General's staff to be consistent.
BTW into0100$0101 :bb...:nono:
BTW into0100$0101 :bb...:nono:
