Blue smoke during fast takoff shortly after ignition
Blue smoke during fast takoff shortly after ignition
The topic says it all. I haven't asked anybody to watch me speed away or anything but some folks were watching me leave the parking lot at my office when they say a puff of blue smoke came out of the exhaust. The dealer looked at it and couldn't find anything. They even said they've never seen such a thing on a new vehicle the entire time they've been in business. These guys are very trushworthy so I figure that to be truth but I wonder if there is something about the enine (oil rings or something) that isn't quite broken in yet and would allow some oil to seep in and get burnt off by the engine......?
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philipa_240sx
- Posts: 3808
- Joined: Thu Jun 21, 2007 7:30 am
- Location: Canada
Re: Blue smoke during fast takoff shortly after ignition (AndyP)
Now you didn't indicate how fast you are accelerating and how long you are letting the engine warm up. Heavy high rpm acceleration on a cold engine (temp gauge at 'C') is a bad thing and will cause excessive engine wear and all sorts of oil consumption/burning issues.
Usually a puff of smoke during acceleration and no other time indicates oil is seeping past the valve stem or possibly via the PCV system. Oil accumulates behind the valves and gets burned off when you accelerate. Constant blue smoke is usually a sign of worn piston rings.
I don't think it's a piston ring or valve seal issue, but there might be something else wrong. I would do 2 things:
1) Have someone else drive your vehicle in the same manner to try and replicate the problem. It would be better to see it with your own eyes so you can replicate the problem with the dealer.2) Check the oil level before you start your car in the morning or at least an hour after your last trip (Make sure the car is on a level surface each time) Timing is important as once the engine is is started, the oil level will drop. Record both the level (as close as you can) and mileage each time. This data will help you and the dealer determine if you have abnormal oil consumption issues.
It's not out of the norm to consume some oil during the break in period, but it should not continue once you have several thousand miles on the vehicle.
Usually a puff of smoke during acceleration and no other time indicates oil is seeping past the valve stem or possibly via the PCV system. Oil accumulates behind the valves and gets burned off when you accelerate. Constant blue smoke is usually a sign of worn piston rings.
I don't think it's a piston ring or valve seal issue, but there might be something else wrong. I would do 2 things:
1) Have someone else drive your vehicle in the same manner to try and replicate the problem. It would be better to see it with your own eyes so you can replicate the problem with the dealer.2) Check the oil level before you start your car in the morning or at least an hour after your last trip (Make sure the car is on a level surface each time) Timing is important as once the engine is is started, the oil level will drop. Record both the level (as close as you can) and mileage each time. This data will help you and the dealer determine if you have abnormal oil consumption issues.
It's not out of the norm to consume some oil during the break in period, but it should not continue once you have several thousand miles on the vehicle.
Re: Blue smoke during fast takoff shortly after ignition (philipa_240sx)
I see. Yeah, it was definitely immediately after ignition so the engine was cold. I always drive it immediately after ignition when I leave the house in the morning, but not with such a lead foot. About 2-3 minutes from the house I turn out of my neighborhood and at that time I accelerate plenty to avoid traffic. I hope that allows it enough time to warm up......?
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philipa_240sx
- Posts: 3808
- Joined: Thu Jun 21, 2007 7:30 am
- Location: Canada
Re: Blue smoke during fast takoff shortly after ignition (AndyP)
In warm weather, it will not take very long to warm up so a 3-5 minutes of gentle driving should be plenty.
Re: Blue smoke during fast takoff shortly after ignition (AndyP)
Do a compression test...AndyP wrote:The topic says it all. I haven't asked anybody to watch me speed away or anything but some folks were watching me leave the parking lot at my office when they say a puff of blue smoke came out of the exhaust. The dealer looked at it and couldn't find anything. They even said they've never seen such a thing on a new vehicle the entire time they've been in business. These guys are very trushworthy so I figure that to be truth but I wonder if there is something about the enine (oil rings or something) that isn't quite broken in yet and would allow some oil to seep in and get burnt off by the engine......?
-Peter-