Puff of blue smoke on start - Reason?

[FAST4DR]

I have noticed lately that when I first start the car it has a little blue smoke for a second or two and then clears. Where is the oil getting by? Valve stems? The car has 70,000 miles and I am getting ready to do the 60k service. Anything other than all regular stuff I need to change while apart?

 

[naval-avi8or]

Most likely its through a valve/stem.

 

[FAST4DR]

Anybody else?

 

[Shoman94]

FAST4DR:
Anybody else?

I agree ....valve stem seals.

 

[MeShoHorny]

I would say valve stems as well. When the car sits over night oil leaks down the stems and into the combustion chamber. When you start it up the smoke is the oil burning off.

 

[FAST4DR]

Is it a big deal or not? Will it go like that for a long time?

 

[1stGenSHO]

My '90 started the same thing at 150k, and I too thought it had to be the valve seals and rebuilding the heads were the only solution. Before I got the $ put together for the heads rebuild (about $1k), I ended up removing the upper intake and cleaning it out. (Removed it for a different reason, but while it's apart might as well make it shine, right?)
It has been 3 months and I have not seen the smoke re-appear.
The PCV system on the V6's pulls alot of crap into the intake. After the car sits, enough of it pools up to where it can be seen as a brief puff of smoke when the engine is started again.

It would be worth a try before spending the cash on the rebuild. Good luck.
1stGenSHO

 

[AutoSHO]

FAST4DR:
Is it a big deal or not? Will it go like that for a long time?

Pull the crossover tube off the intake manifold (on the front of the engine) and look back into the tanks. If there is a significant amount of oil in there, you are best off cleaning it out completely first, and then driving it for a while to see if that clears it up. Good luck!

 

[Shoman94]

AutoSHO:

FAST4DR:
Is it a big deal or not? Will it go like that for a long time?

Pull the crossover tube off the intake manifold (on the front of the engine) and look back into the tanks. If there is a significant amount of oil in there, you are best off cleaning it out completely first, and then driving it for a while to see if that clears it up. Good luck!

Oil pockets in the intake won't make smoke on start up. They might in a high rev situation. It is absolutely the valve stem seals.

Jason

PS...Ford lists that its a 6hr job after the valve covers are removed. Head does not need to be removed.
1.17each intake seal
1.27 each exhaust seal

 

[FAST4DR]

Thanks for the tips.

William

 

[F-22 Raptor SHO]

....seems when I sit at a light for awhile when I leave i dowse the guy behind me in a james bond like smoke screen...I also get the puff on startup.