1998 Toyota Camry: smoke puff when starting the car

> Any ideas? I sure would be grateful! :)
==
Valve guide seals.
Common problem.
Considered minor, inconsequential.
Search this group for valve seal or valve guide for more information

Bartek wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I've just recently purchased a '98 Camry with 148k on it. The car is
> driving really well and passed a smog check with flying colors.
> However, I noticed that when starting the car a dark smoke puff comes
> out of the exhaust. It's only a momentary thing; there's no more smoke
> coming out when the car is running.
>
> My question is: am I due for an exhaust change anyways due to the
> car's age/milage, or is the smoke puff a symptom of a bigger engine
> maintenance issue (the "maintenance required" light is not
> on)?
>
> NOTE: The smog check was done by the previous owner at a Toyota
> dealership; the car scored well below the averages.
>
> Any ideas? I sure would be grateful! :)
>
> Bartek
>

If the smoke is blue, it's the slightly worn valve guides already
noted. If the smoke is black your mixture is too rich at startup - it
needs either a tuneup or maybe a sensor replaced. If it's valve guides
and you want to try to improve it, first make sure you are using 10W-30
oilk, not 0W-30 or 5W-30. If you already are, you can try 'high mileage
oil', which contains an additive to swell the valve seals.

On Sat, 31 Mar 2007 22:24:02 -0500, Bartek wrote:

> Hello,
>
> I've just recently purchased a '98 Camry with 148k on it. The car is
> driving really well and passed a smog check with flying colors. However, I
> noticed that when starting the car a dark smoke puff comes out of the
> exhaust. It's only a momentary thing; there's no more smoke coming out
> when the car is running.
>
> My question is: am I due for an exhaust change anyways due to the car's
> age/milage, or is the smoke puff a symptom of a bigger engine maintenance
> issue (the "maintenance required" light is not on)?
>
> NOTE: The smog check was done by the previous owner at a Toyota
> dealership; the car scored well below the averages.
>
> Any ideas? I sure would be grateful! :)
>
> Bartek

Like others have said, this is the Valve Guide seals..er...NOT sealing!
Minor. I ran a Corolla GTS for 50,000 miles like this.

I also have a Supra with over 175,000 miles that does this. The longer it
sits, the worse the smoke is at atartup. I figured I'd try Castrol High
Mileage oil and see what happens. After a few days driving with the H-M
oil, the smoke got less..and less...and less. Now it is impercaptable on
start up. Try one of the H-M oils and see if it goes away. I'm assuming
since you're just posting this you're just noticing it, so it may have a
lasting effect for you!

> Hachiroku $B%O%A%m%/(B wrote
> On
> Like others have said, this is the Valve Guide seals..er...NO
sealing
> Minor. I ran a Corolla GTS for 50,000 miles like this
>
> I also have a Supra with over 175,000 miles that does this. Th
longer i
> sits, the worse the smoke is at atartup. I figured I'd try Castro
Hig
> Mileage oil and see what happens. After a few days driving with th
H-
> oil, the smoke got less..and less...and less. Now it i
impercaptable o
> start up. Try one of the H-M oils and see if it goes away. I'
assumin
> since you're just posting this you're just noticing it, so it ma
have
> lasting effect for you

Hachiroku

this sounds like the most non-invasive way to tackle the smoke issue
I'll definitely try it the next time I will be due for an oi
change

Thank you for your feedback

Barte