Smoke on startup

[Johnag]

Is it normal to have this much smoke on startup? This was after letting it sit for 8 hours. I’m also low a quarter of a quart from my last oil change 700 miles ago

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[Tall Tail]

I would say smoke on startup isn't normal. I think there are a few threads on the forum about burning oil. Is it tuned? are you the original owner?

 

[jhelrey]

How many miles are on your truck?

 

[Johnag]

It’s not tuned and I’m the second owner I got it about a year ago and it has 64k miles on it

 

[SilverSpur]

Blue smoke after sitting is usually an indication of oil settling in the intake vale or combustion chamber. Just keep an eye on oil level. My RT does it when it isn't started for a month.

 

[Johnag]

Blue smoke after sitting is usually an indication of oil settling in the intake vale or combustion chamber. Just keep an eye on oil level. My RT does it when it isn't started for a month.

Is this something I should take in to get it looked at or just keep an eye on it?

 

[Riddick]

Valve stem seals are the likely culprit.

 

[Babbage]

Valve stem seals are the likely culprit.

Agree, Auto-Rx can clean and recondition them. 32 seals is a lot of time and labor. Strange how the seals are going bad with only 64k. https://auto-rx.com/ follow directions carefully.

I have used this product with a ford mod motor 32Valve engine, it had close to 100k and the smoke on startup. This worked to clean the seals, then no more smoke on start.

Oil is in the heads when you shut it off, bad seals allow that oil to leak into the cylinders, I'll be it smokes more after sitting 8+ hours..

 

[Johnag]

Agree, Auto-Rx can clean and recondition them. 32 seals is a lot of time and labor. Strange how the seals are going bad with only 64k. https://auto-rx.com/ follow directions carefully.

I have used this product with a ford mod motor 32Valve engine, it had close to 100k and the smoke on startup. This worked to clean the seals, then no more smoke on start.

Oil is in the heads when you shut it off, bad seals allow that oil to leak into the cylinders, I'll be it smokes more after sitting 8+ hours..

Before I try something like this. Is this something extended warranty will cover or does it completely need to fail before they fix it?

 

[Babbage]

Before I try something like this. Is this something extended warranty will cover or does it completely need to fail before they fix it?

Go to ford dealer, give service manager $20 and or doughnuts and get them to do it under warranty. Expensive, I hope the techs know how to do this, kind of a big deal to take your engine apart. 32valves = 32 seals.

 

[Dizz]

I 1st heard that my blue smoke and dropping oil level was valve guide seals on the 200 in-line 6 on the 66 Falcon in 73
So I replaced them
Again when my 99 Civic started using after 100K
Several more instances of these seals
Always changed them
Never helped
Always ended up being oil control bottom piston ring being stuck
Possibly these new Fords are different
All of the liquid cures in a can were also non effective
Just watch oil level and monitor if it increases
I would guess that even if your truck was new a quart of oil used in 12-1500miles to be within spec

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Is it normal to have this much smoke on startup? This was after letting it sit for 8 hours. I’m also low a quarter of a quart from my last oil change 700 miles ago

Hi John, If you’d like further assistance regarding the start-up concern, feel free to send us a private message with your VIN and local Ford dealer. Thank you!

 

[djw.pro]

Most likely excessive wear on the piston rings or a stuck / clogged piston oil ring(s). What I would do first is run a good engine flush to help de-carb the engine. You want to flush as much gunk as you can out of the engine. Follow the directions on the can. I like liqui moly products. Very high quality, amazon.

After this oil change / flush, switch to a heavier grade oil. At least 5w-40 and run an upper cylinder lubricant to help continue to clean the combustion chamber and release / clean the oil rings surrounding the pistons. Lucas products are good. I know it may sound strange, but marine 2 stoke oil works very well and is cheap. Make sure to measure it properly. For the TC-W3 marine oil use 1 - 1.5 ounces per 5 gallons of fuel. Measure it properly at fill up! Run it consistently. If you notice it is still consuming after a few thousand miles continue to treat your fuel, but switch to 5w-50.

The 5.0 is rated up to 50 grade viscosity and is actually required by Ford if you supercharge. If you decide to use the Lucas product, just follow the directions on the bottle. It’s about triple the price of TCW3. Change you oil every 4k - 5k miles.

 

[Johnag]

I kinda noticed too that on a cold start where it’s sitting overnight it’s more white smoke but it’s more of a bluish smoke after I drive a mile to work and let it sit for 8 or so hours then start it

 

[cujet]

Smoke on startup is often related to oil migrating down the valve guide and on to the valve face. Most of us are used to engines that exhibit no smoke what so ever, as modern designs must be emissions compliant. However, there are any number of situations where oil accumulates above the valve seals, and as an engine cools, and a tiny bit of guide and valve stem wear set in, an opportunity for this exists. Even with the best engines.

My previous F150 with a 4.6L V8 did this on trips up North, where is was typically cold overnight. It lasted 355,000 miles before it was sold due to transmission failure. We tormented that engine, and it held up perfectly.

Today's catalysts are effective enough to hide modest amounts of oil related smoke during operation. But the classic sign of worn piston rings is smoke upon throttle lift.

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