White smoke at startup??

[Jimmy]

When i start my car i see a little cloud of white smoke behind my car for just a few seconds, then its gone. What is causing that? It kinda angers me and leads me to believe there is a problem. Any idea?

[Red2K1]

What year f-body do you have and is the transmission automatic or manual?

[michael]

my car does that, but only sometimes, a freind told me its because before i bought my car it was on the market and not used for about 5 months. So the valve seals or someting with the valves is screwed. but nothing to worry about i would think

[bu-bye]

HAHAHAHA its just water guys. Is it only in the morning or at night and only after the car has been sitting for a long time? Water builds up in your exhaust and when the engine is turned on it turns the water into steam and white smoke comes out.

[pvtschultz]

But, not always water. There is a distinct difference between the color/smell of oil and water burning in your engine. If it is warm out and your car has a very light, almost white or clear "smoke" and it dissappears in the air very quick, it is probably water. But if it is kind of a blue tint, appears fairly heavy, and lingers through the air, then it is probably oil. And if it is 90 degrees out and you start your car for the first time, then it is probably oil.

Most often times, that startup oil comes from oil seepimg past the valve seals. I personally have never fixed the problem because it consumed so little oil, that it wasn't a major concern to me. But pouring a bottle of "cure-all" in your oil will NOT fix your problem. I hate to see people wasting money. But if it really does bother you, take it to a competant shop, one that isn't going to rip you off, and ask them. You might need to get your heads rebuild.

[bu-bye]

Very true it could be oil but I thought if it was oil it would not go away after a few seconds. Its been a while since I was in Auto Shop.

[pvtschultz]

It will go away if there is a seep in the seals. It will drip down over night and build up against the valves or the pistons. The one way to know for sure is to pull the plugs and see what they look like.

[Jimmy]

It smells like oil, but if its just what you all say, then ah well. Ill deal.

Thanks

[bu-bye]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Jimmy:
It smells like oil, but if its just what you all say, then ah well. Ill deal.

Thanks<hr></blockquote>

WO WO, If it smells like oil you might want to get it looked at then. I did not know there was a smell. Be sure to check your oil level every now and then.

[Everglades W68]

I believe what Michael says is right; a small amount of oil may be leaking overnight. It is a problem, but something you probably ccan live with until it gets worse.

[WickEdSix9838]

there is a chance of oil seeping overnight, but most likely it is the rings...i have NEVER seen new valve seals fix a car that smoked just on start up