I have an 05 with 18k. I have noticed recently that there is Blue smoke upon a cold start. It only lasts for 2 seconds. Is there any reason for concern? Any help would be great. On a side note, I only use Castrol Syntec 5w20. Thanks
Think we have addressed this issue before, so I bet there is a long list of suggestions and ideas on this one. recommend you use the search tool above. Set it to "within 1 yr" for a complete selection. If it makes you feel better, mines has 2,000 and I also have the 2 seconds puff. Goes away almost immediately. I does it when I let it sit for a couple of days. I know you said you have a daily driver, but don't think is something to worry about.
Well, I was told that in the winter time you might have this and it is normal. the reason for it is the loop stays open dumping a little more fuel in on cold start-ups giving you this little puff of blue smoke. Mine does it but not all the time. The other reason I've heard of it is if you have it sit for a couple of days a little bit of oil gets in and I can't remember where but that might also cause this smoke. I'm sure a couple other might chime in.
Plus you can do a search for this and you should find a couple of threads on it.
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I have an 05 with 18k. I have noticed recently that there is Blue smoke upon a cold start. It only lasts for 2 seconds. Is there any reason for concern? Any help would be great. On a side note, I only use Castrol Syntec 5w20. Thanks
With 18k miles it may be time to consider an air/oil separator. Here's a good thread on this subject and the tendancies of the S197. Read the post by ThisBlood147 - he gives a good explanation, cause and solution to the issue.
I installed a DIY kit I bought from Home Depot for about $20 and have not had issues with smoke on start-up since. Even when my 06 GT was just off the dealer lot it used to puff blue smoke for a couple of seconds whenever I did a cold start. I have a Saleen SC and no problems with smoke.
Hope this helps.
< Message edited by RedFire281 -- 1/1/2007 11:52:50 PM >
Mine also puffs a little oily smoke(16K miles), but it happens only if the engine had run for less than a minute on the previous cold start up. If the engine runs for at least a few minutes on the previous cold start up, then there is no oily smoke on the subsequent cold start.
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2005 Mustang GT/Manual/C&L Street CAI/Doug's 93 Race Tune
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back in high school I was told by my auto mechanics teacher that blue smoke only at startup could be a sign of bad gaskets on the valve stems (something like that).
they're little ring-like gaskets that go around the stem. if they're not good, oil leaks down onto the top of the valve and sits there. when you start the car, the oil gets drawn into the cylinder and burns up, creating the puff of blue smoke
Ugh...my car does this too, an 06 getting ready to turn 18k. Mine is a daily driver, and i seem to see it on probably 80% of the startups, cold or not. I drive only 3 miles to work, but I try to let the engine warm up for a couple minutes before taking off, and am easy on it during the small commute. In all cases my temp guage makes it to normal operating temp for at least a few minutes before shutting it down, and yet when I get out of work and start it up, I still get the puff of smoke for 2 seconds, as described. Guess I'll head over to that other thread and see whats up.
It's totally normal, you have nothing to worry about and it is likely coming from the PCV system if anything. Putting an oil seperator inline with the vacuum end of the PCV may help, but keep in mind the PCV on the 4.6 3v is a metered vacuum leak. The device must be completely contained and if it ever leaks air, it may set lean codes. All engines burn oil and Ford says it is normal for your vehicle to use up to 1quart of oil per 1500 miles.
Blue smoke is not necessarily a gasket. On most engines that are older the blue smoke at start up issue is caused by worn valve seals and guides. Several years ago both chevy and ford had issues with problem.
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just to clairify on what jerjan said. if you see white smoke on cold startup for a few seconds thats fine, that's just condisation. when hot air passes through a cold exhaust it creats condisation, it will continue to create white smoke till the exhaust warms up. it don't take long. and blue/grey smoke is oil burning where it comes from varries.
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2005 Black Mustang GT- Performance: SLP Exhaust, custom built x-pipe, cat delete, Hurst Comp Shifter, FRPP CMDPs, LCA, C&L intake, SCT, tuned by Amazon Racing.
I have found that my '06 GT does this occasionally as well. It displays the same characteristics as "ski" describes. I should also point out that my 8.1 liter Vortech in my 2004 2500HD has done the same thing since it was new. It now has 135,000 miles and the issue is no better/no worse.
As for Ford saying 1 quart every 1500 miles is "normal", yes, it's "normal" for Ford to say things like that. It's also "normal" for every Taurus to go through a one or more sets of inner tie rod ends and it's "normal" to get a Check Engine light for EGR at least once before a Ford reaches 100K miles. It's also "normal" for a company to lose significant market share for accepting chronic issues as "normal".
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Blue smoke on cold start up - 
