I know that blue smoke is because of burning oil or a blown head gasket. I'm live 60 miles away from where my car is because I'm at college so it hasnt been started for about 2 and a half weeks. I only got to run my car today for about 5 minutes because of time constraints, but when I would rev it up (only to like 2300rpm) the exhaust was pretty blue and scared me a bit. Is this because it just hasnt been runned in a bit or do I have problems???
Blue Smoke??
- Thread starter Back2Basics
- Start date
If the smoke clears up after the car is fully warm, and pehaps driving it for 2-3 miles, then the valve guide seals is likely the cause.
If the car has over 100k miles on it, change the oil to 20w-50 (any name brand), and a bottle of Lucas Oil Treatment. This will slow the oil burning WAY down. If you don't have other problems, this could help keep the car going for years to come.
Yea, Yea, the guys that keep there cars in top condition may not agree, but I've been working in the business of car repair for 'longer-than-you-are-old'.
Burning oil will foul a spark plug. Try changing #3 or #4 every month !:icon_mad:
If the car has over 100k miles on it, change the oil to 20w-50 (any name brand), and a bottle of Lucas Oil Treatment. This will slow the oil burning WAY down. If you don't have other problems, this could help keep the car going for years to come.
Yea, Yea, the guys that keep there cars in top condition may not agree, but I've been working in the business of car repair for 'longer-than-you-are-old'.
Burning oil will foul a spark plug. Try changing #3 or #4 every month !:icon_mad:
Well, a car over 100K isn't necessarily going to be worn enough to require such measures unless it was abused but if it was I agree...throw in some heavy weight. I sure wouldn't put any of that Lucas crap in though. Bad stuff in my opinion and in the opinions of lubrication people a lot smarter than I.
Btw, I've found the guys in car repair "longer than you are old" are often the ones most resistant to learning new things so they get left behind. I've been doing it longer than 20 years but I've learned to avoid falling into that trap.
Btw, I've found the guys in car repair "longer than you are old" are often the ones most resistant to learning new things so they get left behind. I've been doing it longer than 20 years but I've learned to avoid falling into that trap.
jetjock said:
You mean you actually can teach a old dog new tricks?
LOL.....:drink1:
I'd like to thank you for the time you took on the oil & filter write-ups. I went with 0-30 and a wix filter after much reading...the valves are more quiet on start-up and at speed. I still got to do a shim job, but there is a definate difference. I'm going to try the Castrol you use on the next change and do oil analysis. What you had to say made a lot of sense.
BTW...old dog here too :naughty:
Lol, thanks jdub. Teaching kids isn't easy either since they already know everything (remember how you did? 
). And sometimes old dogs learn hard but learn they must or they're doomed. The trick is to never stop. The irony of the engine mentioned above is that it probably needs heavy oil because it used it during it's lifetime.
0-30 in PHX? Your car is gonna blow up for sure. You didn't say what brand but keep in mind not all 30's are equal in vis at 100C. The German Castrol is a thick 30 for example. You might want to try a 5-30 too. Pennz Platinum is looking good.
Course, no oil will fix a worn engine but if yours is healthy you'll be able to leave it in there a long time. The WIX was a good choice too. The part of your post I liked best? The "after much reading" comment. Bravo.
). And sometimes old dogs learn hard but learn they must or they're doomed. The trick is to never stop. The irony of the engine mentioned above is that it probably needs heavy oil because it used it during it's lifetime.0-30 in PHX? Your car is gonna blow up for sure
. You didn't say what brand but keep in mind not all 30's are equal in vis at 100C. The German Castrol is a thick 30 for example. You might want to try a 5-30 too. Pennz Platinum is looking good. Course, no oil will fix a worn engine but if yours is healthy you'll be able to leave it in there a long time. The WIX was a good choice too. The part of your post I liked best? The "after much reading" comment. Bravo.
Last edited:
Alright well I had somebody tell me....
"It sounds like you are running it just long enough to pump oil to the top
of the motor then shutting it off.
I've tested a lot of cars (emissions testing) that smoke after idling for 5-10
minutes. Running down the road they don't smoke, just after idling. Most
time it's because of valve guides & seals allowing too much oil through.
Try taking the car for a hour long drive and see if it clears.
Sound somewhat correct or no?
"It sounds like you are running it just long enough to pump oil to the top
of the motor then shutting it off.
I've tested a lot of cars (emissions testing) that smoke after idling for 5-10
minutes. Running down the road they don't smoke, just after idling. Most
time it's because of valve guides & seals allowing too much oil through.
Try taking the car for a hour long drive and see if it clears.
Sound somewhat correct or no?
if you still have faith in lucas, check out this...
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/images/lucas/lucas.htm
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/images/lucas/lucas.htm
Worn valve stem seals.
BTW, the oil gets up into the head (and everywhere else in the engine) within a couple of seconds. If not, you wouldn't be asking about blue smoke.
BTW, the oil gets up into the head (and everywhere else in the engine) within a couple of seconds. If not, you wouldn't be asking about blue smoke.