Hey guys got an issue with my 91 toyota truck with the 22re engine. When I start it just about every time there is a puff of blue smoke. This usually happens only when starting it for the first time in the morning for instance. The truck has only 98k miles on it and runs like a champ. Any need for concern? I have been checking the oil and it hasn't gone down at all with 2500 mile oil change intervals. What could cause this, worn valve stem seals, valve guides? thanks for any input..

 

That's often the hallmark of an engine that's got worn valve seals. When the engine's shut off, the oil runs down the valves, gets past the valve seals, enters the combustion chamber, very slowly during the engine shutdown period. And then when you re-start it you see a little puff of blue smoke coming out the exhaust until you run it for a minute or two to clear it. So changing the valve seals conceivably could address that problem.

 

It is probably valve stem seals. I had to do this on my rig a year or 2 ago. Not really a hard job, but you will need to replace the head gasket and all while you are there.

 

i've valve spring and seal out without taking the cam out and doing a head gasket, but i wouldn't recommend it