smoke on start up

here's one of my usual village idiot questions-what does that mean? i'm assuming that obviously it would be better if there WAS no smoke on start up, but is it necessarily a bad thing? as in someone with black lung, or just a little smoker's cough?

 

Depends on the color, if its white then it might be just water condensation due to humidity in the air and should stop after a minute or two. You'll see this quite often with a cold engine in a humid environment, nothing to worry about. If it does not stop after some minutes, the head gasket might be broken and lets water from the cooling circuit into the combustion chamber.

Black smoke would indicate a much too rich mixture, should be relatively easy to fix by setting up the carbs properly. You will also notice that the Dino does appear a bit sluggish in the throttle response as the mixture has not enough air for proper combustion and your plugs will be covered with dry soot.

Grey smoke indicates that the engine burns a fuel/oil mix. If the grey smoke stops after some seconds or half a minute then it could be a bit of engine oil slowly entering the combustion chamber via the valve guides, seals or piston rings while the car is not being used. If the car continues to produce visible quantities of grey smoke even after warming up and while driving, you'll need an engine rebuild in the near future.

 

thank you sir!

i'll go and start her up now, and scrutinize the smoke..

 

Now, it's OK if YOU smoke after it's all over!

 

smoke, as in cigarettes, or as in i'm on fire?

 

when it is running but not too hot carefully take the cap off and see if there are bubbles in the header tank coolant - if there are the head gasket is probably gone

 

Not a ciggie...


Glass of Lagavulin and a Habana.

 

or the bleed valve at the radiator. if the system has air in it it will blow out.

 

Odds are that you're seeing some slightly bluish smoke upon startup that stops after a few seconds? It also has a certain smell, like burned oil.

This is oil that has gotten into the combustion chambers, as described above.
It's a matter of degree-- a little bit is of no concern, a huge amount means you have some serious wear.

Does it blow that bluish smoke after it is fully warmed up and you give it gas, lift, and give it gas again? That would indicate a significant problem.

If you just see a wisp when you first start up, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

it's more of a cloud of smoke on start up, and then it's fine...

 

Phil

I get the exact same thing - 01296 has 42,000 Km.. will need valve guides some day. I found that if the car sits long (weeks), it will not happen at start up.. I guess the oil gets a chance to return to the sump.

This car affects all of your senses, doesn't it?

Cheers

Pietro

 

Key question from Adrian.
What color is it: blue/grey, white, or dirty brown/black?

 

i'd say it's white, with a blueish top note...

 

Smoke on start up but then disappears is faulty valve stem seals. Monitor oil consumption, allowing for leaks, and save your money for the repair some day in the future

clay

 

sound advice. I have been there - run it, and then let it stand for an hour. Then check the plugs. If they are oily; sorry the seals are leaking, if they are clean; terrific go on holiday with the money you have just saved!

 

Ignore it, then check it in 5 years. Then check it again 5 years later. Most important that you check it 5 years after that.

Then compare notes with anyone who suggests that you pull the engine in the near future and change the valve seals, rings or valves. See who has spent more money and who has had more fun driving the car during the preceding 15 years.

Jim S.

p.s. - a few 1/4 turns of the carb mixture screws may solve everything.

 

jim-that sounds about more my level of engineering! i went to look at the car yesterday-white smoky cough at start up, to clear the lungs, then nothing, once the car is running, so i've started a thread for nothing! i'm the woody allen of car owners..always worrying..

 

Well said Jim - the engine out effort will be my first project upon retirement .... in about 15 yrs.

Cheers

Pietro