Occasional smoke at start up...

Scott88 · May 22, 2011

Car: '03 Taurus, 24V 3.0, 127K miles.

Current fill:5w30 Havoline DS. Car purchased fall of 2010 and I was using MC 5W-20 Blend until last weekend. Not sure of PO's oil choice or OCI.

Situation: The car consumes oil, approx 2+ quarts on 5K OCI with the 5W-20. No update on the 5w30 yet, but on both oils, it will blow smoke every now and then on start up. Not just a puff, but a small cloud... Annoying, slightly embarassing. I notice this after it has been sitting for a few hours after a long highway drive. I have only seen it blow smoke a few time over the past couple months. Any thoughts? Will a motor oil be able to prevent the smoke? I have not replaced the PCV valve yet...

Thanks guys.

SilverC6 · May 22, 2011

Valve guide wear???

That would be my guess.

The 5w30 might help.

Xstang · May 22, 2011

Replace PCV valve, and while you're at it, replace the spark plugs.

Scott88 · May 22, 2011

C6- I assume that as well. I guess the fact that there is 24 of them amplifies the issue. I have always been around "higher" mileage cars and none of them ever smoked. Like I said, it's embarassing more than anything...

Plugs should only have about 20K on them.

chevrofreak · May 22, 2011

Buy a couple of quarts of Red Line 5w-20 and use that to top off. It will help clean and rejuvenate the seals.

TFB1 · May 22, 2011

A good puff of smoke on warm/hot restart after setting for a hour or so is almost always valve seal leakage... Other than annoying usually won't cause any problem, dunno maybe a High Mileage oil would help...

Scott88 · May 22, 2011

Thanks guys. I am hoping the 5w30 will help with the overall consumpution.. We shall see. Is there much difference between a HM 5W-20 and a regular 5w30 conventional? Viscosity wise?

ericthepig · May 23, 2011

I had an '88 Mazda that started the smae issue - sometimes mild smoke at start-up, other times it would smoke the front yard. I went to an High Mileage oil - started w/ Maxlife - it worked big time. Just for giggles I tried other High Mileages - Castrol High Mileage, Supertech High Mileage, and others - they all worked great.

Valve guide seals (for me anyway) was one aera where High Mileage oils are not over hyped. Soon within the first OCI on Maxlife, the smoke went to completely unnoticeable almost always - when I did see it it was barely discernable. Incredible difference. Take your pick from any of the High Mileages.

Good luck.

cmf · May 23, 2011

You could also try seafoaming it through the vacuum lines. My friend seafoams his Lancer Evo every 15k miles to keep it clean and it seems a little more "free" after (he uses the Evo as his DD). I must say that I don't trust seafoam in the oil, solvents + sludge = dead engine. But through the vacuum line seems to be a safe bet. There are many threads on how to do it, it's not difficult at all and there are resounding positive reviews on the vacuum line method.

Originally Posted By: Scott88
Thanks guys. I am hoping the 5w30 will help with the overall consumpution.. We shall see. Is there much difference between a High Mileage 5W-20 and a regular 5w30 conventional? Viscosity wise?

After the seafoam, a high mileage oil would be a good bet. High Mileage oil's are generally a little thicker than their regular counterparts and contain a boosted additive package.

ericthepig · May 23, 2011

Key HM additive - seal swell agents. Cure what ills you.

Scott88 · May 23, 2011

Thanks again, gentlemen.

I have "seafoamed" cars in the past, I may give it a shot shortly before the next OC.

Next question... HM 5W-20, or HM 5w30? Ford specs 5W-20.

chevrofreak · May 23, 2011

I would personally go the Red Line route, since I've seen it do amazing things. If you can't find it locally, give Mobil Super High Mileage a shot. You might not find it in 5w-20, so 5w30 will have to do.

cmf · May 23, 2011

Originally Posted By: Scott88
Thanks again, gentlemen.

I have "seafoamed" cars in the past, I may give it a shot shortly before the next OC.

Next question... High Mileage 5W-20, or High Mileage 5w30? Ford specs 5W-20.

On a car with oil consumption I'd definitely go with the 5w30.

The Mobil Super High Mileage 5w30 is pretty thin for a High Mileage oil (the non-High Mileage is actually thicker). I would still say that Mobil Super High Mileage 5w30 is a good choice, just pointing out the viscosity because it's a little weird.

Mobil Super High Mileage 5w30: 10.4 cSt @ 100
Mobil Super 5w30: 10.7 cSt @ 100
Mobil 1 High Mileage 5w30: 11.7 cSt @ 100

Valvoline Maxlife is 11.5 and NextGen Maxlife is 11.6. Maxlife is a solid High Mileage oil as well and has a higher operating thickness which might help with the oil consumption.

demarpaint · May 23, 2011

More than likely it is the valve stem seals, or possibly the valve guides are worn. A 30 grade oil might help. It could be the PCV valve. I'd replace the PCV valve and make sure any hoses in the PCV system are not plugged up. Also be certain that if the PCV valve was changed by you or the PO that is it an OEM valve and not aftermarket part.

TFB1 · May 23, 2011

With the likely possibility that it's "loose" already(the valve seals), the last thing I'd consider is something like Seafoam...

SteveSRT8 · May 23, 2011

X2, beware additives in an older more tired engine. They must be used cautiously!

I'd get all over that PCV and check the entire run of hoses, etc., as they are probably full of oil.

If the smoking is intermittent you may just have oil in the intake, which is quite common and easily cured.

G.Frost · May 23, 2011

The dose of ester in Redline stopped the valve seal issues in my '88 Accord.(8 years now and still holding....)It's worth a try. I would run a full dose of Redline for your next oil change. Keep an eye on how quickly the oil gets dirty,(do oil drop test) It might clean fast if the engine is dirty. If it solves your oil loss problems you could then try a (cheaper) High Mileage oil. If not the Redline, at least give a good High Mileage oil a try.

Scott88 · May 23, 2011

Yes, I would never put Seafoam in the oil of any car. I will use it through the intake on occasion shortly before an oil change.

Motor oil stays very clean(visually) and that may have a lot to do with the make up oil, but from what I can see through the fill hole,it looks clean.

New PCV valve will go on asap, and I will cosider RL or a different oil.

Thanks everyone.

Occasional smoke at start up...

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