tailpipe smoke

ztim · 09-18-2007, 07:54 PM

When the engine starts it smokes for less than a minute. What is wrong? I couldn't find anything in FAQ.
thanks

texasred · 09-18-2007, 08:27 PM

If it does it for just a few seconds at startup after standing a while, I'd "best guess" valve guides. While it sits, oil leaks down from the heads and is burned when you first start it up.

C.J.

Huron · 09-19-2007, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ztim

When the engine starts it smokes for less than a minute. What is wrong? I couldn't find anything in FAQ.
thanks

It depends on what kind of smoke. If it's white, it's just steam from the water being produced in the combustion process. If it's blue, it's oil. If it's black, it from excess fuel.

Huron

7798 · 09-19-2007, 11:05 AM

...and grey, transmission fluid...

Redog · 09-19-2007, 03:47 PM

Thick white smoke: Anti-freeze

Blue smoke : Seaver engine wear

Black smoke : burning oil

Olds64 · 09-19-2007, 03:52 PM

I agree with CJ. That sounds like classic symptoms of worn valve guides. If it were a worn engine or rings then it would blow blue smoke when you got into it. If it was a detuned carb then you would get a sooty blackish smoke and you would smell the hydrocarbons. If it isn't the valve guides then it could be old valve guide seals.

texasred · 09-19-2007, 05:56 PM

Thanks, Olds64. I'd agree with Huron, 7798 and Redog if it was for more than "a minute" and since he stated no other symptoms.

Could be wrong...but I'll stick with my answer based on the information provided.

C.J.

ztim · 09-20-2007, 04:03 AM

Yes, the smoke is whitish. All kinds of things were just mentioned that could be burning, But the valve guides sounds like that it would allow whatever it is to get down there.

So is it detrimental that it get fixed right away? It was a rebuilt 307 that was put in the car... '84 Delta 88 Royale.

09-18-2007, 07:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
ztim Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: SC Posts: 241	tailpipe smoke When the engine starts it smokes for less than a minute. What is wrong? I couldn't find anything in FAQ. thanks

09-18-2007, 08:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
texasred Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 807	If it does it for just a few seconds at startup after standing a while, I'd "best guess" valve guides. While it sits, oil leaks down from the heads and is burned when you first start it up. C.J. __________________ Home of the 1971 Cutlass Supreme convertible Super Karate Monkey Death Car.

09-19-2007, 11:05 AM	#4 (permalink)
7798 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Southern Indiana Posts: 2	...and grey, transmission fluid... __________________ 1977 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight 350 C.I.D. V8 Big Time.

09-19-2007, 05:56 PM	#7 (permalink)
texasred Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 807	Thanks, Olds64. I'd agree with Huron, 7798 and Redog if it was for more than "a minute" and since he stated no other symptoms. Could be wrong...but I'll stick with my answer based on the information provided. C.J. __________________ Home of the 1971 Cutlass Supreme convertible Super Karate Monkey Death Car.

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09-19-2007, 03:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
Redog Alero Chapter Secretary Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Newtown, PA Posts: 831	Thick white smoke: Anti-freeze Blue smoke : Seaver engine wear Black smoke : burning oil

09-19-2007, 03:52 PM	#6 (permalink)
Olds64 Landyacht Club President Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lawton, OK Posts: 1,818	I agree with CJ. That sounds like classic symptoms of worn valve guides. If it were a worn engine or rings then it would blow blue smoke when you got into it. If it was a detuned carb then you would get a sooty blackish smoke and you would smell the hydrocarbons. If it isn't the valve guides then it could be old valve guide seals.

09-20-2007, 04:03 AM	#8 (permalink)
ztim Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: SC Posts: 241	Yes, the smoke is whitish. All kinds of things were just mentioned that could be burning, But the valve guides sounds like that it would allow whatever it is to get down there. So is it detrimental that it get fixed right away? It was a rebuilt 307 that was put in the car... '84 Delta 88 Royale.

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