Smoke on Startup - 2000 Camry

[HerrStig]

Originally Posted By: Nick1994
Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Why is it always valve stem seals ? You guys afraid to say the piston rings are shot ?

This is what I'm gonna say :

The engine is too worn out for 5w30.
Lol I'm assuming not rings because it doesn't smoke while driving down the road, only on startup.

My brother's Lexus smokes while driving down the road, and burns a quart every 300-400 miles on the highway. Probably rings.
My '99 I4 Camry has 330,000 miles on it with original seals AND rings. Doesn't smoke. Try a couple of oil changes with Rotella T6 or another oil known for good cleaning properties. Or, try the Valvoline high mileage products. "My other car" is a 98 Camry I4 a with 200K and it doesn't smoke either. When acquired, it had 50 K on it and smoked on start up with "dealer dino", I switched it to Shell synthetic and the smoking stopped.

 

[MikeHigg]

Quest above tells it right. I would just drive that puppy, maybe go to 10w30 during the times of the year when the temp isn't under -0- when youre starting-up. Maybe change plugs a little more frequently, but only if needed. You can go years like this. I do wonder about Catalytic converters taking that though, but often they do it for years. Your engine, however, is worth fixing if the body is decent.

 

[HerrStig]

Originally Posted By: krismoriah72
not a good candidate for expensive synthetics or extended drains. Its a 15 year old family car that should give you many miles back and forth to work or grocery store etc.

keep an eye on plugs and check engine lights for 02 sensors and replace as they become carboned up. The I4 holds 3.8 quarts, not a big expense when Wally has T6 for 19 bucks for 4 quarts.

 

[UNC017]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Why is it always valve stem seals ? You guys afraid to say the piston rings are shot ?



If it had ANY of the symptoms of worn-out rings, then I'd gladly say "the piston rings are shot."

But smoking on startup is NOT indicative of rings, its indicative of the top-end. Rings will trail a light wisp of smoke on DECELERATION, such as coasting down a long hill, and then give a big puff when you re-apply the throttle. That's the classic "worn ring" test.

 

[JamesBond]

It looked to me like that smoke could just be steam. You said it was cooler than normal.

You might want to try a little thicker oil too, with your mileage and AZ temps, it could help, and it certainly won't hurt.

 

[zach1900]

The 5sfe engine isn't known for any piston ring problems, weak valve stems perhaps but it sure doesn't affect it's longevity, in fact I've never seen a 5sfe produce any noticeable smoke at all, mine surely doesn't abs neither did my '94 Canry with over 300,000 miles.

 

[Nick1994]

Well thanks for the help guys. I'll just keep going, I just wanted to make sure no damage was being caused.

 

[ryanschillinger]

Sold my 2000 with same engine with over 300k on it all original. It smoked a couple seconds on cold start for the last who knows how long but never got really bad. It had been in the family since new run on very regular maintenance. I did 2 oil changes with Mobil super high mileage and it definitely helped consumption. Still puffed some smoke in morning but not that bad.

 

[zeng]

Why not give mineral 15w40 a shot, if ambient temp permits.

 

[ryanschillinger]

Spec is 5w30 so I was using that or 10w30. But hdeo might have been fine also.