Blowing smoke - blue, not black...
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 4,653
Likes: 6
From: North Royalton, OH
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Blowing smoke - blue, not black...
Well, every now and then when I start the car, I get a really good puff of blue oil smoke out the back pipes. Not every time, and not just after running the car long or hard the day before. I can't seem to put a finger on the actual cause of this, i.e. conditions before it happens. It only occurs on a cold start, and I have noticed no oil usage at all to this point (6,000 miles). I haven't done any internal engine work, but I have installed headers and high flow cats. I have never been to the track or really got on this engine, other than to pass a car or two on the highway. Maybe I've cracked 100 mph once. There are no codes set by the car right now, but occasionally it will set a code for one or the other O2 sensors (more due to the cats, I believe).
Is this something that I should be terribly worried about, or is it something that will always be there or go away when there are more miles on the car? I don't like it, but haven't heard of anyone else having this issue. I don't know that I could duplicate this occurance at a dealer should I attempt to take it in for this. Any ideas? I appreciate any input you might have.
Is this something that I should be terribly worried about, or is it something that will always be there or go away when there are more miles on the car? I don't like it, but haven't heard of anyone else having this issue. I don't know that I could duplicate this occurance at a dealer should I attempt to take it in for this. Any ideas? I appreciate any input you might have.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,570
Likes: 0
From: Celina ohio
If you are not buring oil, I wouldn't be worried. Sounds to me like the black cloud is carbon build up.
Drive that car like it was meant to be driven. Once that oil temp gets up to 180 FLOOR it and don't let off till you are scared. Obvioulsy I am suggesting you ONLY do this on a closed race track.......
Drive that car like it was meant to be driven. Once that oil temp gets up to 180 FLOOR it and don't let off till you are scared. Obvioulsy I am suggesting you ONLY do this on a closed race track.......
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 822
Likes: 0
From: Grafton Ohio
Blue puff of smoke only at 1st.startup of the day sounds like valve seals to me. I'm still relatively new to ls1 tech but used to get this problem on gen. 1 smallblocks. Easy fix if it only valveseals
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 4,653
Likes: 6
From: North Royalton, OH
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Originally Posted by jers98vet
Blue puff of smoke only at 1st.startup of the day sounds like valve seals to me. I'm still relatively new to ls1 tech but used to get this problem on gen. 1 smallblocks. Easy fix if it only valveseals
I like the floor it advice... might get a chance to take it out this afternoon and just do that.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 8,004
Likes: 250
From: Tampa Fl
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
I videoed my exhuast before and after I had the car re-ringed and the bolt ons were done when the car was re-ringed.
I noticed the grey smoke after the re-ring and bolt ons video and not before, but I really wasnt checking. Both clips are about 10 second long. I was spitting out black crap before the re ring
I havent burned a drop since the re-ring 2000 miles ago. Before the re-ring, I was dropping a quart every 1500 miles. I drive it harder now also after the re-ring and not a drop burned
I noticed the grey smoke after the re-ring and bolt ons video and not before, but I really wasnt checking. Both clips are about 10 second long. I was spitting out black crap before the re ring
I havent burned a drop since the re-ring 2000 miles ago. Before the re-ring, I was dropping a quart every 1500 miles. I drive it harder now also after the re-ring and not a drop burned
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38,314
Likes: 35
I get the same thing if I start my car after it sitting for a week or so. Some of it seems to be condensation from the exhaust as it does not smell like oil and the car uses no oil.
I wouldn't worry about it, I have 15K on mine.
I wouldn't worry about it, I have 15K on mine.
