Just wanted to know if any of you have any idea what is causing this. It doesn't appear to be anything serious, but, ever since I bought this car (1976 230.4 W115) about a year and a half ago, I've always got a small puff of white smoke on start-up. Warm or cold, winter or summer, always this puff when starting or re-starting.

I have had the carb. re-built, done work on the choke mechanism and I also don't appear to be burining much oil (if any at all) so I'm stumped !!!

Please help.

Thanks,

AARON ROCHARD

1976 230.4 W115.

Smoke Signals
 

Sounds like oil is leaking into the combustion chamber... probably through your valves. The smoke is only noticable at start up because enough oil to generate a smoke cloud has had time to accumulate in the cylinders while the car has sat (not running) for a period of time.

Solution: Valve seals.

If so, then would it smoke even after like 5 minutes of sitting parked ? Is this an expensive job to have done ?

AARON ROCHARD

1976 230.4 W115

To verify the diagnosis, pull your spark plugs and "read" them. If they have burnt oil deposits on them (black in color) then its oil leaking into cylinders. Check with mechanic on repair costs.

they were actually partially black. Dry black, though.

I figured if they were black it ws because the engine was running a bit rich (which the car had been for a while) I'll put some new ones on and check them in a week or so.

AARON ROCHARD

1976 230.4 W115

How many miles on the car or engine since last valve job - if ever?

Oh, Geez, Not since I bought it, and I believe it was sitting in a yard for two years or so before I got it going again last year.

I presume this means a "yes" to getting a valve job done. How long can I go before getting one done without harming the car? It seems to be running quite fine and not using up oil like you would think it would.

How long do you think it takes a shop to perform such a task ?

AARON ROCHARD

1976 230.4 W115

If it runs o.k. and has enough power and doesn't burn an excessive amount of oil and you don't mind a little smoke on startup, and it passes the state smog test, I would simply ignore it and enjoy the car as it is. The car is about 16 years old, it is entitled to be a bit imperfect.

Aaron,

My 92 Chevy Astro has had a puff of white smoke (on start up) since it had 50,000 miles. It now has 136,000 miles and still runs like new.

The problem with my Chevy is the valve seals. The fix would to replace only the valve seals - a complete valve job is not required since it doesn't burn oil.

The valve seals prevent oil from seeping into the cylinder while at rest. If the valve seals leak a little bit then oil would get past the valves and drip into the cylinder. Keep in mind that with the engine at rest some of the valves are open. It would take only a few drops of oil to create a puff of white smoke on start up.

I would have done this myself except that the engine on a van is difficult to access. I don't belive that any damage is being done to the engine since the puff of white smoke only lasts a few seconds and the spark plugs are not being fouled by oil.

Aaron,
That white smoke is more of a nuisance than
a problem.If its only on a start up and your not
putting a quart of oil every week,ignore it.Dont look at your rear view mirror.I had a VW GTI that does that
and and I drove it almost 2yrs.Problem? Valve seals.

Clauser1

Super, I like that approach ! Last time I had someone go into my engine to change something, (the head gasket) it turned out that there was nothing wrong with it, it was just the carb.

I'd rather spend the money on shocks and body work. I'm planning to keep this sucker, as I like the looks and it's not worth it to sell.

Thanks guys,

AARON ROCHARD

1976 230.4 W115