dapqam Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 I have an 2000 Camry 4 cylinder with 102K miles. Only on cold startup does a bit of blue smoke come out of the tailpipe. It just occurs right at startup and disappears within a second or 2. Warm startup no smoke at all. It is worse in cold weather than warm weather. What could be the problem? And what could be damamged if I let it go and didn't fix it. Are the valve guides leaking? How would I fix this? How complicated is it? Or could it be just a need for valve adjustment? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prof Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 Your valve guide SEALS are leaking. Nothing to worry about if its just a puff at cold start up. Probably wont even register as a drop on your oil dipstick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XR2003 Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 new head gasket perhaps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leighcm Posted July 2, 2009 Share Posted July 2, 2009 new head gasket perhaps? Hmmm...didn't say anything about overheating though. Wouldn't it start running hot if it needed a head gasket? I'd lean towards the valve seals, myself... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mos_toyota Posted August 6, 2009 Share Posted August 6, 2009 I've got the same problem with my 2001 Toyota Camry, really hoping it's not transmission or anything else major. It's not had to have any major servicing since I purchased it other than regular maintenance. I've hesitated taking it to Toyota dealership as they run around $100.00/hour - the last time I took it a simple diagnostic ended up leading me to spend over $600.00 !!! It's a 4 cylinder as well, LX model. Mo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dapqam Posted August 6, 2009 Author Share Posted August 6, 2009 Thanks for your advice. I think I'll just watch the oil level and if the smoking does not get worse just let it ride. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esther Reed Shelton Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 Thanks for your advice. I think I'll just watch the oil level and if the smoking does not get worse just let it ride. Do you still have this car and how is the blue smoke issue after this long? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dapqam Posted August 29, 2011 Author Share Posted August 29, 2011 Do you still have this car and how is the blue smoke issue after this long? The blue smoke issue has disappeared. The car now has 120,000 miles and I change the oil regularly (every 5K miles). The problem came and went away just as mysteriously. It may be that I was using thinner synthetic oil and have changed to a regular 10W-30 conventional oil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyled Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 The blue smoke issue has disappeared. The car now has 120,000 miles and I change the oil regularly (every 5K miles). The problem came and went away just as mysteriously. It may be that I was using thinner synthetic oil and have changed to a regular 10W-30 conventional oil. That is so crazy.. my sister's old Camry did the same blue smoke disappearing act... Since the incident she had just relied on her regular mechanic to take care of all of its maintenance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cactusamigo Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 I have a 2003, 4 cyl Camry that had 75k miles when I purchased it. It has always emitted a puff of blue smoke when starting after sitting overnight. It now has 132k miles, and still does the same. I change oil every 5k miles, and never add oil between changes. The exhaust pipe is light tan, and free of carbon. I replaced the spark plugs at 120k miles, and they were all clean, dry, and free of any carbon residue. This seems to be a very common problem, and I have been unable to find a definitive solution. The consensus seems to be valve seals, but some having them replaced report a return of the blue smoke problem. Some years ago, I purchased a 1997 Camry that had just turned 100k miles. This car would go through one quart of oil in about 250 miles. However, it didn't smoke. The tail pipe was black. It turned out that the engine was badly sludged, which tore up the valve seals. The cylinder head was removed and reconditioned under factory warranty, which corrected the problem. This is not the same problem as the blue smoke at start-up problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dapqam Posted October 17, 2011 Author Share Posted October 17, 2011 Sludge and its effects seems to be a big problem with these cars. I have started using Auto-RX since it is a mild cleaner and should keep engines clean. I do not recommend an aggressive cleaner since it can clog up filters and perhaps cause more harm than good. Also be alert for sludge if you do a lot of low speed and short distance driving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cactusamigo Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 My 2003 Camry is used mostly for highway driving. The engine is spotless inside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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