2004 Sienna - blue smoke cold start

NJC

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Vancouver BC
After roughly one month and 4k km's of owning a 2004 Toyota Sienna (3.3l 3MZ-FE), it started smoking upon cold start (over night). It's a noticeable cloud. It doesn't seem to be using much oil, as it's still at F on dip stick (although it was overfilled when new to me). It has 164k km's.

After some Google scouring, I don't see this as rampant for Sienna's - although seems common for Toyota owners. It's blue smoke, and my best guess is hardened valve seals. I'll replace the PCV - maybe that will relieve some pressure.

Anything else I might be missing?

EDIT: For those who have done this job on the 3MZ-FE, how much of a PITA does it register?
 
It's possible it's the valve stem seals like you mentioned, but try the PCV first.

This isn't common for the 3MZ-FE, so you may not find specific information relating to this specific engine.
 
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Valve stem seals. Probably worn, doubt they'd be hardened in 8 years as the material is designed to be compatible with hot oil.

I bet they are worn with such low mileage due to neglect. Did they give any service records for oil changes?

Could be sludge under the valve cover not allowing the oil to drain back into the pan fast enough so it may be pooling up there, that seeps through the worn seals??

Change the PCV and do a few short OCIs with PYB, especially if you haven't changed the oil since you bought it.
 
Originally Posted By: Falken
I bet they are worn with such low mileage due to neglect. Did they give any service records for oil changes?

I don't have service records, but in 4k km's since I purchased the oil has remained clean. IE it's not suspending dirt/sludge that may have accumulated.
 
I'd change the oil at this point as you don't know the viscosity of the oil the guy put in, and change the pcv.

Try Quaker State Ultimate Durability 5W30 after the PCV is changed so you don't foul up new oil.

If you still have the morning puff I'd find out how much the seals would cost to have changed if you love the vehicle.

Or just live with it, it is only a puff a morning.
 
Its valve steam seals a lot of Toyota's seem to do it.

If it doesn't burn a lot of oil I'd just ignore it, it won't really affect anything.

I have had good luck in the past with high mileage oils in reducing the seep by. They seem to soften up the seals a bit.
 
10 months later ... still smoking minorly upon cold start, but here's the oil consumption after 6K KM's - neglible. Oil used is Shell 10W30, with no makeup. 5 quarts or ~4.75L on fill. Not a great pic but it's less than 1/2 between marks.

IMG_2764_zpscff47ad9.jpg


I had removed PCV and cleaned too. But am happy and relieved to see minor consumption and clean oil after 6K. I've never had a car that I haven't had to add oil during oil changes.
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Wow, that is some clean oil after 6k. Either the interior of your motor is spotless, or the oil isn't doing a very good job of cleaning. I hope it's the former.
 
I am not sure exactly how much work taking the heads off a Toyota 3MZ engine is, but I am totally sure that this is not something an average guy would want to do in his garage.

I always take my old heads to a local automotive machinist and have them rebuilt. Sometimes when you just replace the seals, worn valve guides cause the the valve to move laterally, rendering the new seal useless. Also, since your car uses solid bucket lifters, it is nice to do that as the head is rebuilt. Unfortunately, expect $250 ust to rebuild each head, meaning $500 for a V6.
 
Update - there's virtually no change to this situation. The van will periodically smoke upon cold start. It now has 219K KM's and still uses virtually no oil during 8K KM changes.

Otherwise great motor and van. Engine is still VERY quiet.
 
Originally Posted By: Ramblejam
What oil have you been using?

Not a specific brand - anything decent and on sale. Probably some Shell, Motomaster, Walmart Tune it (I think former SuperTech).
 
As someone with MZ engine experience, what concerns me is the translucent oil at 6k.

You've only accumulated 100k (miles), which is absolutely nothing for these engines. Switch to Mobil 1 High Mileage 5w-30, watch the oil get dirty quickly, and observe the blue smoke coming to an end (slowly).
 
Originally Posted By: Ramblejam
As someone with MZ engine experience, what concerns me is the translucent oil at 6k.

You've only accumulated 100k (miles), which is absolutely nothing for these engines. Switch to Mobil 1 High Mileage 5w-30, watch the oil get dirty quickly, and observe the blue smoke coming to an end (slowly).


It does feel like it would go another 300K miles - still has a heap of power. Thanks for the insight - I'm due for an oil change too.
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FYI, you don't have to remove the head to replace the valve stem seals on that engine, once the camshafts are out the bucket lifters come up (with the shims) and you can get right at the seals. After you pressurize the cylinder of course.

I've done it on a 1MZ-FE which is similar. Like artificialist alluded to, taking the heads off that engine is not a lot of fun.
 
UPDATE December 2016. Van now has 248K KM's and runs beautifully ... and doesn't smoke on cold start? I haven't done any repairs that would fix the problem so am mystified why it's stopped.

2004 Sienna's have weak control arm bushings and [censored] sliding door cables (ours broken) .. otherwise, great machine.
 
Van still smokes on startup, and at random times. Sometimes it can go months without smoking.

And it does seem to be using oil between changes (only 1L), now at 344K KM's.
 
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