Hi, glad to find this forum.

1985 v6, 75,000 mi
An ongoing problem is puff of blue smoke at start up.
I believe this is valve-guide seal problem.
Could this be related to clogged cat (replaced in 1998)
Should this be fixed immediately? Approx cost (Ny-NJ metro area).

Also, recent trans oil (power flush) change seemed to improve
performance (smoother, easier acceleration), and I am hoping that
it will mitigate some over-rev going into third gear.
What are the chances of such improvment? (Haven't driven enough
to see how time will tell).

Thanks!


Hal

My '90 Caprice also gets that puff of blue smoke at startup sometimes. My mechanic told me it was not unexpect with an engine with 164,000 miles on it. He said only way to cure it would be to disassemble valve train to replace gasket or valves, depending on which was leaking. From what I understand, unless you have enough knowledge of engine teardown and rebuilding to do it yourself, it becomes an expensive proposition to have someone else do it. Due to costs, he recommend replacing engine with remanufactured one before having them disassemble the valve train.

Hope this helps

The puff of smoke at start up is usually worn valve seals .It won't hurt anything. It's not a real big job to change them. You don't have to disassemble much except take of the valve covers. You need an air compressor and connector for the spark plug threads as this takes the place of your plug while you change the seals. While you load about 120 lbs of air continuosly to a cylinder, you then use a valve spring compressor to compress the springs , for that cylinder only , holding valve and once compressed remove and replace seals. I 've never done it yet myself but woudn't be afraid to try and have heard people do it often, just like I described. I don't understand why your mechanic is making you think it is a big job. Ask him about this , see what he says and for sure try another place.
Kevin

Maybe I should ask again, from what you say, it doesn't sound like a lot of work. Just curious, what indicates that it is the valve seals and what are they?

Thanks

Maybe I should ask again, from what you say, it doesn't sound like a lot of work. Just curious, what indicates that it is the valve seals and what are they?

Thanks

My mechanic friend said so, based on the symptom.
The car is not an oil burner between oil changes (3-4k mi over 4-6 months). That would be a clue that rings are NOT a problem.
So the conclusion is that there is seepage past the valve guide seals
after shutoff.

More I cannot tell you, 'cuase I don't know !

Hal in NJ