1995 geo prism

[nickaluch]

I have a 1995 geo prism 1.6 engine,92000 miles.When I start the engine in the morning I get a puff of smoke out of the tailpipe that last for about a minute.I change the oil once a year with mobil 1 because I only drive about 7000 miles a year mostly local.Is there a diffrent oil I should use to stop this smoke in the morng.

 

[Buick92]

I've got a 1998 Prizm with the 1.8, I was having a similiar "puff" of smoke at start up too, I had good results with Valvoline MaxLife 10w30 it actually seemed to help. If you don't mind changing your oil twice a year I'd try a 6 month interval with maxlife. I'm currently trying Auto-RX with Formula Shell.

 

[simple_gifts]

You might have worn valve seals. Mobil 1 makes a high mileage version of 10w30 and 10W-40; others will need to weigh in whether those oils may help with your issue.

http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Oils/Mobil_1_High_Mileage_10W-30.aspx

Others are also going to suggest the use of Auto-RX which slowly cleans the inside of your engine. I can't see this helping if the seals are worn.

http://www.auto-rx.com

 

[nickaluch]

I just changed the valve cover gasket,the top of the engine was real clean.I really dont mind the puff of smoke, what i,m really worried about is the cat,will that clog it over time.i just changed the oil yesterday with shell 10/30 just to find out what oil i should use to help with this problem.

 

[LargeCarManX2]

Do a cylinder pressure check. It will tell you where your problem is. I don't think any oil is going to help this condition. Most likely it is rings or a valve/valve guide issue.

 

[Bill in Utah]

Originally Posted By: nickaluch
I just changed the valve cover gasket,the top of the engine was real clean.I really dont mind the puff of smoke, what i,m really worried about is the cat,will that clog it over time.i just changed the oil yesterday with shell 10/30 just to find out what oil i should use to help with this problem.


And I'll bet you will see less startup smoke with the Shell!

Let us know. Bill

 

[Drew99GT]

Originally Posted By: Buick92
I've got a 1998 Prizm with the 1.8, I was having a similiar "puff" of smoke at start up too, I had good results with Valvoline MaxLife 10w30 it actually seemed to help. If you don't mind changing your oil twice a year I'd try a 6 month interval with maxlife. I'm currently trying Auto-RX with Formula Shell.


+1

Maxlife 10w30 twice a year and fuggetaboutit. Maxlife has done wonders for my 94 Corolla - cut oil consumption in half.

 

[nickaluch]

Is maxlife a syn or dino

 

[Drew99GT]

They have synthetic blend and full synthetic formulas. I'd just stick with the synthetic blend.

 

[mechtech2]

If it only does it on start up, it is the valve guides/seals, not the cylinder bores/rings. A compression test will be of no benefit.
Apart from fixing it mechanically, a slightly thicker oil, or a different brand, may help.

 

[Drew99GT]

The valve seals will benefit from a high mileage oil like Maxlife.

 

[nickaluch]

valve guides/seals is the problem for sure.I wont waste money fixing it as long as the cat converter wont go bad from the smoke.

 

[LargeCarManX2]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
If it only does it on start up, it is the valve guides/seals, not the cylinder bores/rings. A compression test will be of no benefit.
Apart from fixing it mechanically, a slightly thicker oil, or a different brand, may help.


How about a leak down test?

 

[Bill in Utah]

Originally Posted By: LargeCarManX2
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
If it only does it on start up, it is the valve guides/seals, not the cylinder bores/rings. A compression test will be of no benefit.
Apart from fixing it mechanically, a slightly thicker oil, or a different brand, may help.


How about a leak down test?


Would not show valve guides or seals which *is* his problem. I had a Ford 360 with major seal problems.

 

[nickaluch]

Bill,Alot less smoke at startup with the shell.I guess I will stick with shell, and change twice a year.