So the other day I started my truck (92 DLX 4x4 3vze 5pd) and the thing was smokin like a hippie in amsterdam. Smelled and looked like it was burning oil. After a few minutes it all went away. It's been doin it off and on at startup, regardless of engine temp. My thought would be that its valve related, as in bad seals or something. Just wondering if anyone had experienced this and how bad it is to fix... thanks

 

I'd say bad rings...bad news for you, I won't say it, but someone else will...

 

everyone always seems to jump to the conclusion of a blow HG. i doubt its that. my truck does the same thing right now when i start it up after its been sitting for a while. there is no blown HG. i was told to check the cold start ignitor or something like that. never have though.

 

is the smoke blueish??? startup blueish smoke means valve seals my friend

 

Its bluish white. I just put new head gaskets on it in January, so I'm also not thinking thats the problem.

 

I said rings, not Head gasket,and the bad news that I was referring to was a rebuild, or valve job, both are expensive and time consuming. Just so we're clear.

 

It might just need new valve seals. I replaced my head gaskets on my 95 last November and I put in new valve seals as well. It was burning about a little more than a quart every 1k miles now it doesn't use a drop between oil changes(3000 miles).

 

I would say bad valve seals too. When the engine cools it pulls some oil into the cylinders through the valve seals and that gets burned off when you first satrt up. Another test if to coast down a long hill with your foot off the gas pedal, and at the bottom floor it while watching in the mirror. If the seals are leaking you'll probably see more bluish smoke.
Do a compression and/or leakdown test to tell for sure.

 

Thanks... my first thought was valve seals, too. Just wondering, whats the long term affects of bad seals, past just burning oil.

 

With a slight leak you just burn some oil, and have to keep adding some. If it gets worse you get carbon build up in the combustion chambers, foul the plugs more often and if it's really bad your cat can get wrecked.

 

I think ive got the same problem allthough its only after cooling down for a while, ive got 300K miles on my 3.0 though.