smoke cloud
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 671
Likes: 1
From: WATERFORD CT
smoke cloud
The first start of the day is fine but after that apon startup I get a big cloud of blueish smoke out the tail pipe. A corvette shop told me this was normal for my era vett (85) but I find that hard to belive.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
Likes: 3
From: Dallas TX
Re: smoke cloud (montie98)
Your valve seals are leaking oil down into the cylinders... need to replace them. It's not going to really hurt much for it to do that, but it's not good either. No, it's not "normal" .. but yes that does happen with age.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: smoke cloud (montie98)
Though I don't know if it's typical or an '85 L98 is is a symptom of worn/hardened valve guide seals.
By now your stock seals are likely hardened (my OEM O-rings crumbled upon removal) and not doing a good job so oil leaks down the valve stem upon standing and produces a cloud of smoke upon startup.
By now your stock seals are likely hardened (my OEM O-rings crumbled upon removal) and not doing a good job so oil leaks down the valve stem upon standing and produces a cloud of smoke upon startup.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,167
Likes: 0
From: What did the 5 fingers say to the face? SLAP!!
Re: smoke cloud (montie98)
I would say valve seals too. The thing I don't understand though is why it doesn't do it on the first start of the day. Wouldn't that be the worst time since oil has had all night to seep past the worn guides?
Pro
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 557
Likes: 0
From: Taxahoma
Re: smoke cloud (montie98)
I'm going to replace mine, they are a royal pita to replace, not the actual job itself just getting the stuff off and out of the way. I think you have to remove the alt. just to remove the drivers side cover, on mine anyway. You can use a air compressor to keep the valve up while you swap it out, if not you'll drop the valve.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,812
Likes: 1
From: New Albany IN
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'06-'08-'09
Re: smoke cloud (Black87c4)
Ahhh...go ahead and take those heads off and get a 3-angle valve job and polish/porting job on them. You might as well. Could be a nice winter project! :D
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 6,341
Likes: 1
From: Shelton CT
Re: smoke cloud (montie98)
I was thinking valve seals too on my '85 since it's been doing that exact thing for years....BUT.....
I had a new accel lower intake and superram installed on my car, and since it has been done, I do not get any puff of smoke at start up or after. :eek:
My heads and anything else has not been touched..
I had a new accel lower intake and superram installed on my car, and since it has been done, I do not get any puff of smoke at start up or after. :eek:
My heads and anything else has not been touched..
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
Re: smoke cloud (flyersfan1088)
I would say valve seals too. The thing I don't understand though is why it doesn't do it on the first start of the day. Wouldn't that be the worst time since oil has had all night to seep past the worn guides?
That's kinda backwards really, my parents had a 92 Astro van that did the same thing, but it would only do it on the first start or after it had sat for a while.