Cold Start Puff of Blue Smoke

Hi guys, I'm new here and this is my first post. If this has been asked or answered already, please forgive me.

Two days ago I noticed a puff of light blue smoke during a cold start. Went away immediately, didn't see it again the rest of the day during starts, idling or driving.

Yesterday, exact same thing, puff on cold start then nothing.

It's a 2008 Tacoma 2.7, 2WD automatic that has 115k, runs perfectly fine and strong. I'm still running on a tank of gas I added a can of BG44k to and I'm hoping this could just be old sludge burning off due to the fuel injector cleaner doing it's thing. I do know blue smoke is a sign of oil burning though. Up until about a month and a half ago I had religious oil changes and service done at the dealer with regular 5W30 oil. Month and a half ago I went to a more local shop to me and got an oil change and switched to full synthetic 5W30. I have not noticed any oil consumption on the dipstick, etc.

Has anyone else had this issue? If so was there a culprit found? Is this normal? I've owned Toyotas for the past 25 years, some with over 200k miles and have never visibly seen blue smoke out of the exhaust, so I'm concerned.

My concern is valve stem seals?

Thanks in advance for your feed back!

Larry

 

I've been doing some research for you and the only thing I can find is valve stem seals. Some people are replacing them on their own, so it might not be to hard of a job.

 

Yeah, I searched ALL day yesterday and that was all I could find as well. I was really hoping to come here and hear 'oh that's normal' etc.! LOL Thanks for checking it out for me!

Larry

 

I put a can of Seafoam fuel injector cleaner in my truck and I got the same symptoms you did. Next time if filled up the tank everything was back to normal.

 

THAT'S the sugarcoated answer I was hoping for!! LOL I filled up with a new tank yesterday and I'm hoping when I start it up this morning it will be all clear. The only thing that worries me is I've used BG44K for years and never noticed this before....but it could have and I just didn't see it. I hope to reply back later with good news upon start up! Thanks for replying!!
Larry

 

Ya man keep us updated! Nothing like someone starting a thread with a problem then never coming back with an update

 

You have my word I will certainly reply, with good or bad news. I want/need an answer and would love to be able to help someone else with the same issue if I can!!

 

Yeah, Seafoam is a different beast all together. It was originally designed for use in 2 stroke boat motors and is a blend of oil and detergents. It really wasn't designed for what people use it for nowadays. So I really doubt that cleaner you poured in has anywhere near the same makeup as Seafoam and wouldn't cause blue smoke. I'd imagine you have valve stem seals that require replacing. However Synthetic oils maintain lower viscosity when the engine is cold when compared to dino oil so it is possible that it is easier for it to seep by the valve stem seals when the engine is cold and has been sitting, thus causing that puff of blue smoke on startup. If you wanted to delay changing the valve stem seals for a bit longer I would consider trying plain old dino oil again and see if that helps. That also seems like the only significant change you've made recently.

Also, don't listen to the idiots that claim running synthetic in an engine not designed for it will eat your engine's seals or cause leaks. They are attributing leaks to the oil having an effect on seals when in fact it just doesn't get as thick when cold and can make its way through already worn seals when given the time. Always remember "correlation does not imply causation".

Hope this helps

 

Yes it does help! I'm in a wheelchair and have a wheelchair lift, hand controls, etc. and I NEED this truck for at least another 100k miles because the whole process and money of getting all the accessible equipment added to a vehicle is a PITA!! LOL

My next question is, if it's the seals is this something I'd be better off taking it to the dealer for or can my local shop handle it? I know that's a open ended question as shops vary, but is this a MAJOR tear down, etc. that someone who is most familiar with the vehicle (dealer) be doing? I'm not mechanically inclined, so I don't know what's involved other than the valves being IN the motor! LOL

Thanks,
Larry

 

Sorry to hear about your situation Larry, I'd imagine that's quite a bit of work to have all of the adaptations fitted to a new vehicle.

That question is a bit open ended, I'd personally try to find a shop that deals with lots of imports at least if you cannot find one that specializes in Toyotas (pretty common around my area). The dealer can and will do it but it will cost quite a bit I'd imagine. I'm fairly sure on this engine it requires removing the cams and lifter assemblies. But if I'm correct the head can stay on which is good, so the tear down is meticulous but minimal. A trusted shop should be able to tackle this, but I'd always recommend having them diagnose it for sure, as there is the slight possibility that it is piston rings too. I do know that @BabyTaco is currently doing this job on his 2.7L right now and may have more insight to the process than myself. Another great person to ask engine/mechanical systems questions to is @BamaToy1997 as he is a mechanic.

Good luck, and feel free to ask more questions, I'll answer to the best of my abilities or refer you to someone who knows better!

 

Thanks! Dealing with the wheelchair is the easy part, getting everything drive able is the real headache!! So while this is being fixed I'm totally out of a vehicle/freedom etc!!

I think I'm going to simply bite the bullet even though it's more pricey and just have the dealer look at it. I like the guys at the shop I go to for other stuff, but I just watched a YouTube video of the process and it's worse than trying to figure out Algebra with my daughter. Lot's of stuff to tear down, etc.....made my head hurt!

Thanks again for all of the info and the referrals to the other guys!!!

I HOPE to report back good news sooner than later.

 

Started it again this morning, same blue smoke. Dropping it off at the dealer tonight.

 

Last question for the day I promise. Is it going to hurt 'if it is the valve stem seals' to drive it today?

 

Nope! As with a normal leak just watch your oil level.

 

Stem seals is typically the problem you describe on any vehicle.

You can run thousands of miles with no issue, as long as you maintain the oil level. Of course it won't get better.

I'd recommend skipping the dealer, unless you know and trust a tech and service manager. Work like this will be labor intensive. Finding a quality independent shop will be much more favorable to your wallet.

Most importantly, there's no reason to panic. Yes, the best idea is to address the issue. But it's not going to blow up or leave you stranded while you are shopping your options.

 

I trust very few people, so I'm screwed!! LOL Thanks for the info Billy, I can't wait until this is resolved.....it's just driving me bonkers knowing something is not right!

 

Hi Larry if it were me I would wait a few more tankfulls burn off all the additive for sure then see what happens if you still notice the smoke try going back to the dino oil just to check. Valve seals are labour intensive for sure did them once on an 80's chev i had took many hours and lots of swearing.

 

Update of sorts......called one dealer for an estimate 'if' it's the valve seals......$3,687 OUCH OUCH OUCH. Called another dealer, spoke with a service advisor, who referred me to a Toyota tech. He said it 'could be seals' but doubted it with it not being very old (2008) or excessive mileage (115k). So I'm dropping it off with them in the next couple hours with my fingers crossed I can get it back without hocking my wheelchair to pay them. At this point I'm pessimistic to be optimistic....LOL

Thank you all again for the input, etc., I really appreciate it.

I will update everyone as soon as I get more information.

 

Hey man, went through a similar issue but mine was worse. Mine is most likely the valves themselves.

I gathered a group of friendly TW members and we are pulling my engine this weekend. I am taking mine to the local machinist. He will pull the head, fix the valves and then replace the head gasket and redo timing. Not sure on total cost but he said the valve portion itself is $300 plus parts.

Talk to your local mechanics about pulling the head for you and then having a machine shop do the work. It will still be pricey but probably less than the dealer.

 

Ok not sure if people mentioned, but make sure you get your frame inspected for rust before March 30. ... Never mind seals frame is what you need to look at it.
blue puff of smoke, I would not worry about. Just use good oil and continue driving. Some people had that with new trucks and it went away after one two times.