Blue smoke at startup and synthetic oil

For the past few years, when I start the engine (97 Camry) after it's been off awhile, the exhaust is bluish-smoky for a few seconds. I took it to the dealer
and they said it was caused by a tiny amount of oil seeping into the cylinders, due to a gasket leak or something. They quoted me $900 to fix it, but also said
it probably wasn't worth the expense, as it was not progressive and no harm was being done. So I've lived with it for years.

But, just wondering, does anybody think switching to synthetic oil might lessen the smoking? Just a guess, but I believe the temperature tolerance is much
higher with synthetic oil, so maybe that would make a difference? thanks -Fred

Gary L. Burnore wrote:
> On Sun, 06 Jan 2008 10:32:50 -0800, Fred Exley <fexley221@msn.com>
> wrote:
>
>> For the past few years, when I start the engine (97 Camry) after it's been off awhile, the exhaust is bluish-smoky for a few seconds. I took it to the dealer
>> and they said it was caused by a tiny amount of oil seeping into the cylinders, due to a gasket leak or something. They quoted me $900 to fix it, but also said
>> it probably wasn't worth the expense, as it was not progressive and no harm was being done. So I've lived with it for years.
>>
>
> It's either valve stem seals or rings most likely and neither are
> worth replacing until the smoke is constant.
>
>> But, just wondering, does anybody think switching to synthetic oil might lessen the smoking? Just a guess, but I believe the temperature tolerance is much
>> higher with synthetic oil, so maybe that would make a difference? thanks -Fred
>
> Nah, you'll just burn synthetic then. (It'll smell a little bit like
> plastic )
>

Yes, now that you mention it, that was the diagnosis -valve stem seals. Thanks for the tip -that saves me from a $50 experiment

On Sun, 06 Jan 2008 13:35:05 -0800, johngdole wrote:

>
> The stem seals seems to be a common problem on Toyotas. That's another
> reason for 3000 mile (dino) oil changes using a good filter like Purolator
> PureOne or Bosch Filtech

Sorry, John, I changed the oil every 3-3,500 in my Corolla GTS and still
got the 'smoking gun'. Used genuine made in Japan Toyota oil filters, too.

However, 10 years seems awful quick to develop stem seal leaks. Took 15
years for my Corolla...

On Sun, 06 Jan 2008 10:46:55 -0800, Fred Exley wrote:

> Gary L. Burnore wrote:
>> On Sun, 06 Jan 2008 10:32:50 -0800, Fred Exley <fexley221@msn.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> For the past few years, when I start the engine (97 Camry) after it's
>>> been off awhile, the exhaust is bluish-smoky for a few seconds. I took
>>> it to the dealer and they said it was caused by a tiny amount of oil
>>> seeping into the cylinders, due to a gasket leak or something. They
>>> quoted me $900 to fix it, but also said it probably wasn't worth the
>>> expense, as it was not progressive and no harm was being done. So I've
>>> lived with it for years.
>>>
>>>
>> It's either valve stem seals or rings most likely and neither are worth
>> replacing until the smoke is constant.
>>
>>> But, just wondering, does anybody think switching to synthetic oil
>>> might lessen the smoking? Just a guess, but I believe the temperature
>>> tolerance is much higher with synthetic oil, so maybe that would make a
>>> difference? thanks -Fred
>>
>> Nah, you'll just burn synthetic then. (It'll smell a little bit like
>> plastic )
>>
>>
> Yes, now that you mention it, that was the diagnosis -valve stem seals.
> Thanks for the tip -that saves me from a $50 experiment

I have an '88 Supra with 200K on it that does this. I changed the oil with
Castrol GTX High Mileage formula and after a couple thousand miles the
problem (kinda) went away. Before if I parked the car for 4-5 days there
would be a pretty good cloud behind the car on startup. Now the car has to
sit for a couple weeks before I even see a puff of oil smoke.

I also have an '89 Mazda 626 that had smoking problems after sitting for a
while. I used the same oil in that car and now have no trouble at startup.
Seems to be working, but I am the 'leery' type, wondering if it's swelling
the seals, what *ELSE* is it doing, so I run High Mileage for 3,000 miles
and then use regular Castrol for 2 changes, then use the HM formula again.
Seems to be working in those two cars quite well.

I bought a head gasket set for my 1991 Toyota Celica 3SGTE.

There are 2 types of valve stem seals. I assume one set for the inlet
and the other set for the exhaust valves. In the original engine the
taller (red) valve stem seals are fitted to the inlet valves and the
shorter (green) ones are fitted to the exhaust valves.

Before I changed them, can someone confirm that the taller ones(red)
are corrected fitted to the inlet valves and visa versa?

Thanks for your help.

Goh

On Tue, 08 Jan 2008 01:00:33 -0800, goh87gtr wrote:

> I bought a head gasket set for my 1991 Toyota Celica 3SGTE.
>
> There are 2 types of valve stem seals. I assume one set for the inlet and
> the other set for the exhaust valves. In the original engine the taller
> (red) valve stem seals are fitted to the inlet valves and the shorter
> (green) ones are fitted to the exhaust valves.
>
> Before I changed them, can someone confirm that the taller ones(red) are
> corrected fitted to the inlet valves and visa versa?
>
> Thanks for your help.
>
> Goh

Repost this as a response to your original post. People will think you're
responding to me and may not respond.

I don't know. The closest I have ever come is replacing valve cover
gaskets! I let the oil do my work for me! So far, so good (knocks on wood...)

On Jan 9, 8:26 am, Hachiroku $B%O%A%m%/(B <Tru...@AE86.gts> wrote:
> On Tue, 08 Jan 2008 01:00:33 -0800, goh87gtr wrote:
> > I bought a head gasket set for my 1991 Toyota Celica 3SGTE.
>
> > There are 2 types of valve stem seals. I assume one set for the inlet and
> > the other set for the exhaust valves. In the original engine the taller
> > (red) valve stem seals are fitted to the inlet valves and the shorter
> > (green) ones are fitted to the exhaust valves.
>
> > Before I changed them, can someone confirm that the taller ones(red) are
> > corrected fitted to the inlet valves and visa versa?
>
> > Thanks for your help.
>
> > Goh
>
> Repost this as a response to your original post. People will think you're
> responding to me and may not respond.
>
> I don't know. The closest I have ever come is replacing valve cover
> gaskets! I let the oil do my work for me! So far, so good (knocks on wood...)

Hi,
Thanks for responding anyway.
I just found on an internet book that the red seals are for the inlet
and the green ones are for the exhaust valves.

Goh

This problem is indeed pretty common on the Camrys but a Corolla? As
CE said it must be a design problem with Toyota. After all, the stem
seals are old tech, provided that the smoke isn't related to rings or
PCV.

On Jan 6, 6:19 pm, Hachiroku $B%O%A%m%/(B <Tru...@AE86.gts> wrote:
> On Sun, 06 Jan 2008 13:35:05 -0800, johngdole wrote:
>
> > The stem seals seems to be a common problem on Toyotas. That's another
> > reason for 3000 mile (dino) oil changes using a good filter like Purolator
> > PureOne or Bosch Filtech
>
> Sorry, John, I changed the oil every 3-3,500 in my Corolla GTS and still
> got the 'smoking gun'. Used genuine made in Japan Toyota oil filters, too.
>
> However, 10 years seems awful quick to develop stem seal leaks. Took 15
> years for my Corolla...

There is no information on the free part of AutoZone's online repair
guide. So their AllData subsidiary or Haynes manual on the bookshelf
should help you confirm. Intake/exhaust should not be swapped because
these seals are oil metering devices too.

Most engines will have different diameter valves for intake/exhaust,
and that's another clue. But again verify for sure.

On Jan 8, 1:00 am, goh87...@ wrote:
> I bought a head gasket set for my 1991 Toyota Celica 3SGTE.
>
> There are 2 types of valve stem seals. I assume one set for the inlet
> and the other set for the exhaust valves. In the original engine the
> taller (red) valve stem seals are fitted to the inlet valves and the
> shorter (green) ones are fitted to the exhaust valves.
>
> Before I changed them, can someone confirm that the taller ones(red)
> are corrected fitted to the inlet valves and visa versa?
>
> Thanks for your help.
>
> Goh

Consider taping the valve stem ends to avoid damaging the stem seals
while installing them.

On Jan 8, 5:27 pm, goh87...@ wrote:
> Hi,
> Thanks for responding anyway.
> I just found on an internet book that the red seals are for the inlet
> and the green ones are for the exhaust valves.
>
> Goh