Smoke on cold startup and continuous smell

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by mixitinc, Apr 14, 2008.

  1. mixitinc

    mixitinc Guest

    Hi all,

    I have recently changed my car's oil at a mechanic (not the usual
    place where I change it)...and didn't really ask about the type of oil
    or its grade after he finished the job.

    I find now that every time I start the car in the morning, a huge
    cloud of a blueish tint smoke (which is oil burning) rise..and the
    cloud is really big! I'm ashamed to turn on my car when there are
    people on the street waiting for the bus.

    The car is a 1996 Honda Accord (4-cyl, automatic) and this is the
    first time I notice this problem...however the cloud of smoke
    disappears when the engine warms up.

    Today (after about 2 weeks) I wanted to check the oil level to make
    sure there is a little bit left in there...and to my surprise when I
    pulled the gauge (before I start the engine), the oil level was about
    3/8 of an inch above the upper limit.

    Do you think that is the cause of the smoke and if so what should I
    do? re-change the oil or take the excess oil out? will there be a lot
    of harm done on the engine now?

    Thanks in advance,
     
    mixitinc, Apr 14, 2008
    #1
  2. mixitinc

    motsco_ Guest

    -------------------

    Is the smoke coming out the tailpipe or from under the hood? Are you
    warming up the car before driving? Does the smoke happen right away or
    after the engine gets hot?

    'Curly'
     
    motsco_, Apr 14, 2008
    #2
  3. mixitinc

    mixitinc Guest

    The smoke is coming from the tailpipe...and it happens seconds after I
    turn it on...when the engine gets hot (when i see the temperature
    gauge started to move up) the white cloud stops...but sometimes I can
    smell some oil....however, there is nothing from under the hood....nor
    there are oil leaks (at least I haven't noticed any so far).

    What do you think is happening?
     
    mixitinc, Apr 14, 2008
    #3
  4. mixitinc

    motsco_ Guest

    ---------------------

    Is your oil filler cap in place properly? You may need a good flashlight
    and some paper towel to check everywhere to see if there's a hose off or
    just a bunch of oil dribbling off the suspension (below the cleverly
    concealed oil filter) onto the exhaust pipe. Check your coolant
    reservoir too, and the rad, per the Owner's manual.

    PS. Drive your car to warm it up. The book says so.

    'Curly'
     
    motsco_, Apr 15, 2008
    #4
  5. mixitinc

    mixitinc Guest

    I suspect that if the oil filler cap is not in place properly, the oil
    should be sprayed everywhere under the hood.

    I don't know what hose you're talking about, since there is more oil
    in the engine then there should be. and the exhaust is sending out a
    white cloud. not sure how the radiator or the coolant will get to the
    exhaust.
     
    mixitinc, Apr 15, 2008
    #5

  6. Drain it (oil) down until it is at the proper level. Possibility you
    are foaming and that foam is liqufying and getting into the open
    valves upon shutdown. Next time you crank up, cylinder is full of oil
    until you burn it off. Not good to be overfilled, hard on the seals.

    Pull a couple of plugs, see if they are oil fouled.

    You contradict, is the smoke blue gray (oil), or white (steam)? Steam
    comes from a coolant leak from a head gasket or condensation in your
    exhaust system or a combination. Plugs will show coolant fouling
    also.

    Initial oil burn that goes away is oil getting through the valves and
    collecting in the cylinder. Constant oil burn indicates worn rings
    and or valves.

    good luck

    Frank
     
    Frank Boettcher, Apr 15, 2008
    #6
  7. mixitinc

    dood90 Guest

    Its probably just because its too full on oil, probably no harm done
    but you should drain the extra oil so it doesn't blow a seal and start
    leaking
    good luck
     
    dood90, Apr 22, 2008
    #7
Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments (here). After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.