Smoke on startup only

Hello, everyone.

I just bought my first Toyota about two weeks ago. 2016 Tacoma TSS Package 4x4 77K miles. I LOVE the truck, but for the past week, it has been smoking significantly upon startup.
At first I thought it was normal condensation, but it seems like a little too much for that. It doesn't smell sweet or like oil, and it only does it upon a cold start. It doesn't do it at idle or acceleration. I added coolant the day after I bought it because it was below the full line. There doesn't seem to be any coolant leak, no oil leak, the oil is not milky, and it isn't missing at all.

My coworkers are Toyota enthusiasts and even they think it is a little strange, so I wanted to post here and get some feedback. I really hope I am being overly concerned because I really really like this truck and want it to last a very long time.

Here is a link to a video that I just took of the startup: https://vimeo.com/371163239

It has been sitting for two hours and is currently 50 degrees outside. There was a lot more smoke this morning when I started it after sitting all night (39 degrees) and it was much more white than this video.

Thanks in advice, guys. I hope to stay here for a long time and be a contributing member.

 

that doesnt look like condensation to me either. startup smoke is usually a head issue.

 

Edit:
I Just re-watched in full screen... the smoke looks blue.

Rings or head gasket? (Other?)

 

Kinda looks like oil smoke (blue) to me. That needs to be addressed unfortunately.

 

maybe thats why someone traded it in at 77k miles?

 

Unfortunately probably oil or coolant getting burned (hard to tell color from video). Definitely not normal whatever it is.

The thickness/shape of the cloud coming out of the tailpipe doesn't look like condensation to me.

 

If its smokes more after sitting longer that sounds like valve stem seals to me. But I don't have any real experience with this engine, so that is somewhat of a guess.

 

Do one yourself, or get one done, but get a compression test on the cylinders. That should tell you pretty quick if you have a problem.

 

I'm a 4 cylinder guy so I can't really help with that engines particulars

 

a soon as I saw the video, I agree. not condensation. lots of blue tint there

looks like oil seeping into the cylinders,
pull all plugs
see if any threads are wet with oil
I suspect gasket leak

 

Did you get a really good deal on the truck? I just noticed the video and that definitely seems like a head gasket leak. Pull the spark plugs like others have said and that can tell you a lot about what's happening.

 

I sincerely wish you luck OP. Really sucks that you just bought this truck and it is presumably out of powertrain warranty.

If I were in your shoes I might call Toyota corporate and tell them the situation. In my opinion, you are somewhat close enough to the end of warranty that they may give you a one-time good will fix. Be honest, professional, and as nice as possible with them. Tell them you just bought the truck. It's worth a shot anyway.

 

I was thinking head gasket - except that it stops so quickly. I would think a head gasket would leak all the time and the smoke would be visible till it heated up fully.

 

That really sucks... Head gaskets aren't too bad to do yourself, but I've only helped with Chevy 3800s. If it's a v6 i would suspect it to be fairly hard and expensive unfortunately. If you know someone personally who knows cars, i would ask them to take a look.
As the exhaust heats up, I've read that head gaskets that leak slower don't see as much exhaust smoke.
The previous owner probably got it looked at, and just put in some head gasket sealer hoping it would fix it just long enough to sell.
Don't take our word, and just be calm, and get it checked out. Maybe it's something simple, although I fear not.

 

Unfortunately, Toyota has no obligation to get involved. OP is not the original owner, and purchased the vehicle out of warranty as is.
Maybe the dealership it was purchased from would step in for selling the vehicle like that, but even then, if there was a notice about no warranty, they don't have to do anything either.
Sorry for the luck here OP, I hope its not a major issue.

 

Is the truck Certified ?

 

Definitely looks like valve stem seals to me. Maybe the valve stem seal guy was on break when your motor was assembled. Here's sort of a test for valve stem seals. Start up the truck from cold, drive around the block, shut it off and leave it over night. Note how much smoke there is when you start it in the morning. Later that day, drive it on the freeway for a while (Like 30 minutes) and get it thoroughly warmed up. Park it in the driveway overnight. When you start it in the morning, look at the amount of smoke. If it's valve stem seals, there will be a bigger cloud of smoke. Here's how it works. When you shut the engine off, oil leaks past the valve stem seals and into the cylinders. When you start it up, all that oil is instantly burned and makes a cloud. When the oil is hot, it's thinner and can more easily leak past the valve stem seals and create a bigger cloud on start up.

 

Didn't say they were obligated, just that it's worth a shot.

It's a phone call that could end up saving OP thousands of dollars.

 

If you bought if from a dealer that may be an option, depending on what state your in. If warranty on it good, then otherwise might work for state laws with problems with sale. Research is needed.

 

Looks like your burning oil...usually it gets past the rings but on this new of a truck is not normal. It is either way overfilled or has an internal issue....take it to the dealership this should be under powertrain warranty.