White smoke coming out of the exaust

[deenice]

I have a 1997 camry. After sitting over night or over a long period of time, starting the car I notice a puff of smoke coming out the exaust pipe then it clears up. Does anyone have/had this problem? what to do?

[Calebz]

Probably just condensation in the exhaust

[mjgjr72]

your may have a head gasket leak keep an eye on the coolant level, if it runs rough and feels like it is skipping at start up.

[deenice]

The coolant level stays the same..

[chuxted]

Valve stem seals. As a vehicle sits, oil may drip down via the valve stems.

[gator2764]

Originally Posted by deenice

I have a 1997 camry. After sitting over night or over a long period of time, starting the car I notice a puff of smoke coming out the exaust pipe then it clears up. Does anyone have/had this problem? what to do?

Valve guide seals. My 95 Camry with 170K and 92 Tercel with 167K do the same thing. One thing I have learned is if I park with the front end higher than the rear not as much oil leaks down the exhaust side seals, hence not as much smoke.

[deenice]

Is the valve guide seals and the valve stem seals the same?

[gator2764]

Originally Posted by deenice

Is the valve guide seals and the valve stem seals the same?

Yes. It is just a seal that the valve stem slides through

[gator2764]

If your car doesn't use that much oil I wouldn't bother with the money to replace them. I know it is irritating to have some smoke come out but I have learned to live with it.

[deenice]

For every 3k miles I drive, I add a quart of oil.
Can this get worse? Thanks for all the advise...

[gator2764]

That may seem like a lot of oil use but There are brand new trucks out there that use the same amount. It would take a long time for it to get worse in my opinion. How many miles are on it? My 95 uses about the same amount with 170K, but this car usually takes alot of short trips around town which is not good for it. On the other hand my 92 Tercel with 167K goes through about 3 quart in 3K miles. It is just my comuter car though and gets beat up pretty good. Before I bought the Tercel the previous owner only put around 12K a year on it and I believe that short trips do more harm than good. You must be on the East coast or you just can't get any sleep. lol.

[deenice]

LOL yes I'm on the east coast, I'm working. I have 106K on it.

[gator2764]

I would just keep adding oil. You might want to keep a log of how much you have to add so you can see if it does get worse. It is just a little $$$ having to have the head pulled to change the seals if everything else is fine. Toyota wanted over $800 just in labor to pull the head on mine to replace the head gasket,add in the expense of head work and I can just imagine how much the total bill would be. Turned out to just be the O-ring on the dist. I am supposed to be working myself!

[deenice]

Thanks alot man...

[gator2764]

Just hate to see anyone waste money. Now get back to work!!