Blue smoke upon start-up...after sitting for a couple days?

[JaySHOguy]

What could cause this? The '89 SHO runs extremely well for having 150k on it, but the smoke I get when starting it aggravates me. Its blue(oil) but it smells like fuel...
I haven't really been able to drive it too far(exp. sticker), so I cannot see what my oil consumption is like.

Thanks!

 

[sdpatt]

The usual cause for the condition you describe is oil leaking past the valve guide seals into the cylinders as the engine rests. Replacement of the seals requires the removal of the camshafts to access the valve guides. You may consider trying Castrol GTX High Mileage oil to try to help the seals work a little better.

 

[rangerj]

Jay,

I'll second Scott's diagnosis. This is the "classic" sign of valve seals leaking.

As long as your not blowing blue smoke continuously you can hold off on replacing the seals.

You are right to be concerned about the amount of oil you are consuming. Keep an eye on the oil level.

You should also plan on cleaning the plugs periodically, as they could become oil fouled.
I think you can get compression rings for the plugs as a separate replacement part at auto parts stores.

I'm not sure about this, because I have not done this in several years. The box I bought a few years ago is not empty yet. I normally replace the plugs, rather than clean them and put them back in.

Two things are a must when installing the plugs, especially in an aluminum head; 1. put anti-sieze conpound on the threads, and 2. use a torque wrench, and torque the plugs to specification.

Hope this helps. rangerj

 

[JaySHOguy]

rangerj:
Jay,

I'll second Scott's diagnosis. This is the "classic" sign of valve seals leaking.

As long as your not blowing blue smoke continuously you can hold off on replacing the seals.

Hope this helps. rangerj

Thats what I figured... Oh well. No, its not blowing a .007 style smokescreen yet

I'll just watch the amount of oil I use, I guess.
Oh yeah... I have been using Castrol GTX in my other car... maybe switching to the High-Mileage formula wouldn't be a bad idea. Thanks guys
Jason

 

[91 SHOplus]

Jay97SHO:

...Thats what I figured... Oh well. No, its not blowing a .007 style smokescreen yet

Insert "Peter Gunn" music here.....

Love the .007 referrence. thumbs_u

 

[93MTXSHO]

Since we're on the subject of oil consumption, I have a question. I know both of my mains leak, so that's where some of it is going, but I use a quart every 1500 miles or so. I have the same type of thing. A little blue smoke on startup, occasionally, not even all the time. Now, the funny part is that when my dad drives the car, it doesn't seem to use an ounce. He constantly revs it up to 5 grand before shifting since it will rev so smoothly. But, when I get behind the wheel and have the occasional burst of "spirited" driving, that's when I notice the oil consumption. Any ideas?

Also, I pulled one of my plugs just to check them out. They have about 10K on them and I noticed metallic flakes on the insulators. They weren't black or anything. Still white, but seemed to shimmer because of the metal. Is this normal? Thanks a lot.

 

[JaySHOguy]

91 SHOplus:

Jay97SHO:

...Thats what I figured... Oh well. No, its not blowing a .007 style smokescreen yet

Insert "Peter Gunn" music here.....

Love the .007 referrence. thumbs_u

Heh. I don't even really like James Bond.... just some of the tricks they put in the cars...

And for the guy losing a quart every 1500 miles:
That's NOTHING! My last '91 SHO was using/leaking a quart every 600 miles! Rear Main seal was gone, oil pan gasket was gone, and oil in the wells shoot And it only 90k miles on it!

 

[sdpatt]

93MTXSHO:
Since we're on the subject of oil consumption, I have a question. I know both of my mains leak, so that's where some of it is going, but I use a quart every 1500 miles or so. I have the same type of thing. A little blue smoke on startup, occasionally, not even all the time. Now, the funny part is that when my dad drives the car, it doesn't seem to use an ounce. He constantly revs it up to 5 grand before shifting since it will rev so smoothly. But, when I get behind the wheel and have the occasional burst of "spirited" driving, that's when I notice the oil consumption. Any ideas?

Also, I pulled one of my plugs just to check them out. They have about 10K on them and I noticed metallic flakes on the insulators. They weren't black or anything. Still white, but seemed to shimmer because of the metal. Is this normal? Thanks a lot.

Metallic chips on the plug's insulator is not normal. The originally white insulator should be white, or light tan in color. You should look up a site for different causes of unusual plug apperances. Someone may have a good one already saved that they will share with us. The pictures of various combustion problems are shown in the front of the Chilton service manuals and probably most of the other brands.

 

[93MTXSHO]

Ok, Scott. Don't curse me. I swear I didn't know better until like 2 months ago. It has Autolite APP3924's in it. Would that make any difference? I'm gonna change them to the Motorcrafts after I put valve cover gaskets on it. I can't see the sense in ruining two sets of plugs. What do you think it could be? It runs like a champion and hardly ever gives me any trouble. Thanks

 

[rangerj]

93MTXSHO,

I cannot say for sure why the amount of oil consumption is less when your dad drives the SHO.
But, I am willing to bet that if you compare your driving styles, you will find out that he is smoother and less erratic in the way he handles the car.

If he is running it out to 6k, he is obviously not afraid to "drive" the car.

I suggest that you go for a ride, with him driving, and pay attention to his techniques. You may learn how to save some oil, brake pads, and tire wear.

I guess I sound like an old fogey, but I love to light the tires up. Learn how to drive well, not just fast and hard. You will find out it is more fun, safer, and not as ******* the car. rangerj

 

[93MTXSHO]

Thanks so much sdpatt and rangerj. I really don't understand, except that I'm probably a little more liberal with the accelerator than he is. Oh well. That amounts to an extra quart of oil between oil changes, big deal. About those spark plugs. I was terribly mistaken. I just checked them again, and they are white with a little tan towards the tip of the insulator. I'm pretty sure this is correct because they only have 10K miles on them. Thanks so much for the replies.

 

[ScotSHO]

93MTXSHO:
Ok, Scott. Don't curse me. I swear I didn't know better until like 2 months ago. It has Autolite APP3924's in it. Would that make any difference? I'm gonna change them to the Motorcrafts after I put valve cover gaskets on it. I can't see the sense in ruining two sets of plugs. What do you think it could be? It runs like a champion and hardly ever gives me any trouble. Thanks

The Autolites will not affect your oil consumption, but, they are too long compared to the Motorcrafts and will allow water, oil, bugs, and crud to get in the plug wells. Also, I changed out from Autolites to Motorcrafts in my 95 shortly after I bought it, and I noticed a butt dyno difference. And the Autolites were gapped correctly and probably only had 10-20k on them.

But, my butt dyno may be calibrated differently from yours, so YRMV.

Scot Hewitt
95 Ultra Red MTX - 66k