Do most corvettes over 100k have a puff
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 297
Likes: 0
From: Stowe VT
Do most corvettes over 100k have a puff
people say hey its a small block chevy they are gona have a small puff of smoke after sitting. Do most 100k plus corvettes have a small puff of blue smoke. I notice sometimes when i go heavy on fuel injector cleaner in the gas i get more of a puff on start up. Any input is welcome. Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,765
Likes: 175
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
I would say No
But this would all depend on previous maintenance and how the car has been treated over those 100k miles.
My '96 has just over 120k miles, and does not put out any smoke on start up.
I've never used any type of fuel injector cleaner either.
All the detergents/additives you need are already in any good name brand fuel you purchase.
But this would all depend on previous maintenance and how the car has been treated over those 100k miles.
My '96 has just over 120k miles, and does not put out any smoke on start up.
I've never used any type of fuel injector cleaner either.
All the detergents/additives you need are already in any good name brand fuel you purchase.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 412
From: WV
A puff of blue smoke after it sets is probably worn valve stem seals, not anything in the fuel..Mine had 116,000 on it before I put in the 383 and it never smoked or puffed blue...WW
Last edited by WW7; Jul 8, 2013 at 06:30 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,835
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From: Database Error Indiana
My 87 did it at 35k miles. Never a problem but at 85k it was a good excuse to get aftermarket heads.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 995
Likes: 1
From: Naples Campania
Blue smoke is oil
White smoke is coolant
black smoke is too much fuel (rich)
Stem seals are your most likely culprit. Not simple, but not the most difficult or expensive thing ever to fix. It's generally a good sign that you just need a top-end rebuild. Do the heads and clean/replace/scrub everything in the intake. New sensors, rebuild the distro. New gaskets are just part of the process. This will probably gain quite a bit of horsepower back as well
White smoke is coolant
black smoke is too much fuel (rich)
Stem seals are your most likely culprit. Not simple, but not the most difficult or expensive thing ever to fix. It's generally a good sign that you just need a top-end rebuild. Do the heads and clean/replace/scrub everything in the intake. New sensors, rebuild the distro. New gaskets are just part of the process. This will probably gain quite a bit of horsepower back as well
Racer
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 347
Likes: 25
From: Rockford Illinois
My 85 did this for 20 years. I upgraded to roller rockers and did the seals at the same time. No more smoke on startup. It's actually pretty easy to do and all the instructions are right here on the forum.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
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From: Anaheim CA
Mine started the puff of smoke at around 50K miles. I was putting off fixing it and then I got major complaints from members of my Corvette club about the smell... ;-)
Valve stem seals fixed it. Still good at 116K miles.
Valve stem seals fixed it. Still good at 116K miles.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,996
Likes: 304
From: MOORESVILLE NC
My 88 smoked at start up at 90,000 miles. Caused no performance problems for 30,000 miles. But in my experience if this continues, the oil may pollute your Catalytic converter. The guts of the Cat will get hard and rattle and you will have to replace it. I pulled the Heads and had them rebuilt and now no more smoke. Pulling the Heads is not easy but not impossible for the home mechanic. You will need the proper tools.