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Car Forum / Toyota / Camry / November 2009

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98 Camry 4-cyl / Puff of Blue Smoke after not running for two days???

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Kazumé - 01 Nov 2009 23:44 GMT
Hello to anyone left here - NOT TO SPAMMERS THOUGH!

I have a 98 Camry with 126000 miles and today when I started it, I
noticed a puff of blue smoke came out of the tailpipe. I know it's oil
smoke but is there anything I can do avoid problems - different oil,
additives, whatever. I use standard 10W30 oil and change it every 3000
religiously, just had the timing belt replaced last month, had it
checked for sludge - which the mechanic says is fine. It runs great
otherwise. Any suggestions or comments?

Thanx,
Kaz
dsi1 - 02 Nov 2009 00:39 GMT
> Hello to anyone left here - NOT TO SPAMMERS THOUGH!
>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> Thanx,
> Kaz

My 99 does this too. I believe it's the valve stem seals. My
understanding is that these cars will act in this way. My mechanic is
familiar with this problem and told me to just live with it rather than
fix it. In his opinion, it ain't worth the trouble.
hls - 04 Nov 2009 21:48 GMT
"dsi1" <dsi1@spamnet.com> wrote in message news:7TpHm.41696\

> My 99 does this too. I believe it's the valve stem seals. My understanding
> is that these cars will act in this way. My mechanic is familiar with this
> problem and told me to just live with it rather than fix it. In his
> opinion, it ain't worth the trouble.

This is very typical of valve stem seal wear.  Often you see the puff after
oil
has had the time to drip down the valvestem overnight.  But, after you get
started up, often the oil loss is not so great.

You could try a high mileage oil.  They no longer have the aromatics which
swell seals.  The new technology is polymers which do not damage the
elastomers (any more than they are already damaged).

This is not such an expensive job if you DIY.  BUT, you need to be clever
with your hands, and you need to know some basics to do the job...like
how to keep the valves from falling into the cylinders when you remove the
keepers.  (It isnt a hard trick to learn.)
ransley - 04 Nov 2009 22:50 GMT
> "dsi1" <d...@spamnet.com> wrote in message news:7TpHm.41696\
>
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> how to keep the valves from falling into the cylinders when you remove the
> keepers.  (It isnt a hard trick to learn.)

They say 50% of engine wear is on startup, so that puff of smoke
should make these motors last 500,000 miles, it lubes, when you need
it most, at start up. I say leave it alone my plugs burn clean.
dsi1 - 05 Nov 2009 00:32 GMT
> "dsi1" <dsi1@spamnet.com> wrote in message news:7TpHm.41696\
>
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> how to keep the valves from falling into the cylinders when you remove the
> keepers.  (It isnt a hard trick to learn.)

This would involve getting a spark plug adapter to attach to your
compressor. :-)
hls - 05 Nov 2009 17:45 GMT
>> This is not such an expensive job if you DIY.  BUT, you need to be clever
>> with your hands, and you need to know some basics to do the job...like
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> This would involve getting a spark plug adapter to attach to your
> compressor. :-)

That is one way...there are others.
In many engines you can just raise the piston to TDC and that will prevent
the
valve from falling...or you can feed a small diameter rope or a heavy cord
through
the spark plug hole to fill up the space on top of the piston.

You can beat the ceramic out of an old spark plug, thread the bore, and make
your own adaptor.

What you really DO need, IMO, is a decent valve spring compressor.
Michael - 02 Nov 2009 00:47 GMT
> Hello to anyone left here - NOT TO SPAMMERS THOUGH!
>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> Thanx,
> Kaz

Maybe try an oil filter with an anti-drainback valve, if you aren't
already?

How come 10W-30 instead of the recommended 5W-30, just curious?

Michael
Leftie - 02 Nov 2009 09:32 GMT
> Hello to anyone left here - NOT TO SPAMMERS THOUGH!
>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> Thanx,
> Kaz

   If it only does it briefly, after sitting for a couple of days,
don't worry about it. If you can't not worry about it, you can try a
'high mileage' (odometer, not fuel economy) oil, which will swell the
seals slightly. I wouldn't do that, though, unless it starts to burn oil
while on the highway.
mred - 02 Nov 2009 13:20 GMT
> Hello to anyone left here - NOT TO SPAMMERS THOUGH!
>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> Thanx,
> Kaz

Its probably the valve stem seals are a little worn. I wouldnt worry
about it as once the engine warms up the seals will expand and prevent
any burnoff.

If it starts to burn oil continuously (which I doubt will happen
considering your oil change intervals) I would try some sort of seal
softener that can be added to the oil. this will soften the seals and
allow them to prevent burnoff.

Its an expensive proposition labour wise to replace the seals if you
want to go that way.? I would listen to your mechanic.
ransley - 02 Nov 2009 14:04 GMT
> Hello to anyone left here - NOT TO SPAMMERS THOUGH!
>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> Thanx,
> Kaz

If you dont consume much oil dont worry, 1 qt in 3000miles is what I
do and mine smoked for 10 years
 
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