Smoke at startup... normal?

[Nikolas]

My car has started doing something that I wouldn't expect... when it has been in the twenties or below overnight, the car smokes a little for the first 5 to 10 seconds after I start it in the morning. I haven't noticed anything like that when the weather is warmer. The smoke goes away after these 10 seconds, and then everything is normal.

The car in question is an 05 Subaru Impreza WRX, with about 37k miles, currently running GC. The car is by no means brand new, it has not been babied, but I would guess that it is a little early for any drivetrain problems...

In the beginning I thought that that happens because my parking spot is not level, and the car has a flat engine... however, there is no problem when it is warm outside.

Any input is greatly appreciated!

 

[Jeepster_nut]

White smoke is normal when it is cold outside. Blue= oil burning

 

[Nikolas]

The smoke is blue, definitely oil burning, not steam.

 

[Donald]

what color is the inside of the exhaust pipe (that you can see)?

 

[Nikolas]

The pipe is black inside; as far as I know, these cars run a little rich, as a safety measure for the engine. This color exists in all WRXs I've seen.

 

[Nikolas]

The smoking continues, even though my car is underage

Any idea why that is happening?

 

[charbaby]

Nikolas,
If there is any warranty remaining on the drivetrain, take it back the the dealership and have them verify the smoking at start up. You may have to leave the vehicle with them for a while (maybe over night) so that the engine can be completely cooled down and they can have a tech verify the smoke at cold start up in the morning. Sounds like it could be valve seals. They may ask you about OCI so don't give them that they can use against you.

 

[Vaca]

Yes, I agree, with the valve guide seals comment. Often smoke at startup, but no other time, indicates that oil seeps past the seals overnight. But an '06 with only 37,000 miles? That is certainly not normal IMHO. Also, cold weather can often make the seepage worse.

 

[Nikolas]

I think that the engine is mechanically sound, especially with this many miles. So, the valve seals seep oil overnight in cold weather? If that is the case, no big deal I guess. I have seen other cars do that, but they were older.

Again, what struck me as weird is the fact that it only happens when it is cold, say low twenties and below.

 

[mechtech2]

Do you have a turbo? They can be the source of oil burning.

 

[Nikolas]

mechtech: Yes, the engine is a turbocharged boxer (flat 4). How would that relate though? Bad seal in turbo bearings?

 

[charbaby]

NIK,
As Vaca has mentioned, the smoking can worsten when the outside temp is very cold. And Im sure that your engine is mechanicly sound as you stated. And YES! The smoke issue is a big deal. Just because other vehicles do it doesn't make it OK! All of this smoking will eventually cause Catalitic Converter and Oxyegen Sensor failure and will be very expencive to repair. But, there is still an issue with the smoke at startup. If the vehicle is still under warranty, don't wait. Get it fixed at their expence and not yours.

 

[Nikolas]

A real bummer! I noticed it during the latest cold snap here in NE, and I passed 36k a month or so ago, I am SOL with the warranty... hope nothing goes wrong! We'll see....

 

[charbaby]

What was the warranty on your Subaru? If you have had any of your services done at the dealership, they may be willing to help you out under their "Good Will" or "Customer Loyalty" program. They might do this for a good customer who takes their vehicle into their dealership service dept. for regular maintenance and the vehicle such as your WRX that is "Just" out of the warranty. They might be willing to cover the repair or at least offer a discount price to you.

 

[Kestas]

I had a car with the infamous Mitsubishi 3.0L that smoked from bad valve seals. It smoked really bad every startup. I'm pretty sure bad valve seals are your problem.

 

[JHZR2]

The fiancee's mother's 3.0L v6 in her camry did just this. It sees severe service in the USVI, and has a sludger engine...

She ran Auto-rx for some intervals, and the smoking went away!

Worth a shot!

JMH