95 Camry. I think that one or more of my stem seals leaks because when i first start up the car smokes.What can i use to stop this,besides auto-rx?
what's good for leaking valve stem seal?
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a High Mileage oil will help? does it soften the the stems?
It might. A big might. You could get lucky though. Might be worth a shot if you dont want to repair.
In addition to Onmo's suggestion, my take is that: "nothing can fix a valve stem seal leak unless you replace them, period".
Not much will fix valve stem seals except replacement. High Mileage oil and/or a thicker grade might be all that you can do.
Originally Posted By: StevieC
Not much will fix valve stem seals except replacement. High Mileage oil and/or a thicker grade might be all that you can do.
Maxlife 10W-40 has done the best for me with this type of issue. It is readily available in most places and on sale often or about $14 for 5 qt jug at WM.
Not much will fix valve stem seals except replacement. High Mileage oil and/or a thicker grade might be all that you can do.
Maxlife 10W-40 has done the best for me with this type of issue. It is readily available in most places and on sale often or about $14 for 5 qt jug at WM.
Well, everybody else pretty much said it, but I'd at least give a High Mileage oil a try before bringing it for repair. You just never know.
I see all the recommendations for a High Mileage Motor Oil. Are the additives really that good? The only pure synthetic High Mileage oil I've seen is Mobil 1 and Valvoline MaxLife. I wonder if the formula is any good since the M1is not SM certified and the 5w30 has a higher viscosity index than the 10w30or40 for both! Then I have to wonder why Mobil or Valvoline don't make a popular engine additive separately?
http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lubes/PDS/NAXXENPVLMOMobil_1_High_Mileage_Oil.asp
http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lubes/PDS/NAXXENPVLMOMobil_1_High_Mileage_Oil.asp
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Maxlife 5w30 completely stopped the same smoking at startup in my 99 Camry 4cyl.
It took about 10,000 miles.
It took about 10,000 miles.
Originally Posted By: 94MaxGXE
Maxlife 5w30 completely stopped the same smoking at startup in my 99 Camry 4cyl.
It took about 10,000 miles.
Now that's good intel.
Maxlife 5w30 completely stopped the same smoking at startup in my 99 Camry 4cyl.
It took about 10,000 miles.
Now that's good intel.
Valvoline designed MaxLife specifically for valve stem seals...
I wonder what they use in Maxlife to "restore" valve stem seals. Viton is tough stuff and almost chemical proof. From my understanding you'd destroy it with any chemicals that would "soften" or "condition" it.
SM oil is not always an indicator of the better quality oil for a particular application. SL sometimes means that a particular oil, such as Mobil 1 High Mileage, simply has an older, higher (better) level of anti-wear additives such as ZDDP, which was limited even more for the newer SM oils of certain viscosities.
If an engine is leaking, common sense tells me to stay away from more expensive synthetics and use one of the High Mileage blends, at least until the leak stops. Maxlife blend works great here. It works way better than some of the common stop leak additives, in my experience. I have less experience with the other High Mileage oil brands.
Also, not all valve stem seals are made of Viton.
If an engine is leaking, common sense tells me to stay away from more expensive synthetics and use one of the High Mileage blends, at least until the leak stops. Maxlife blend works great here. It works way better than some of the common stop leak additives, in my experience. I have less experience with the other High Mileage oil brands.
Also, not all valve stem seals are made of Viton.
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Condition the valve seal, hopefully, clean it up, yes. Whatever, it works for me. MaxLife blend & Full Synthetic are at the top of my best High Mileage oil list.
IF that's the problem.
A few other things can cause a bit of smoke at start up.
Does the car smoke when you take off after idling for a while?
How about at high rpm/high load?
Compression? Leak down test? Hows the PCV? Is the intake full of oil?
Sure there's no harm in playing with the oil, but it can't fix everything.
A few other things can cause a bit of smoke at start up.
Does the car smoke when you take off after idling for a while?
How about at high rpm/high load?
Compression? Leak down test? Hows the PCV? Is the intake full of oil?
Sure there's no harm in playing with the oil, but it can't fix everything.
A High Mileage oil might help. Typically I've seen in older cars the valves stem seals become brittle and hard as plastic. These can actually crack and break. If that is the case all bets are off with High Mileage oils. Then the next plan of attack, (other than proper repair) would be a thicker oil, or something along the lines of STP, or Schaeffers #132. #132 is a great product especially in older engines, or engines that use oil. JMO
Check the drain back holes in the head,make sure they are clear and the oil isn't puddling.Also check the PCV.
Too much is made of valve seals they actually do very little as far as oil control goes in some engines (old big block Buick engines only used a skinny o ring type on the intake valves,none on the exhaust the intake only sealed when the valve was in the down position).
You may well have sticky rings,the heat of the cat as it warms could be burning it off.
Too much is made of valve seals they actually do very little as far as oil control goes in some engines (old big block Buick engines only used a skinny o ring type on the intake valves,none on the exhaust the intake only sealed when the valve was in the down position).
You may well have sticky rings,the heat of the cat as it warms could be burning it off.
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