85k '97 2.2L puffing blue smoke, does it have to be fixed?

[1997Camry]

My '97 Toyota Camry is puffing blue smoke when I start it in the morning. It just started a month ago but it has never stopped. It is alot more smoke than I'd like but then it would stop smoking after a minute or so. There won't be any more smoke while driving, or if I park it somewhere and return to start it after a few hours. The blue smoke seems to only happen when the car has stayed put for at least 12 or more hours. The car has 85,000mi on it but I was under the impression Toyotas can go on for at least 150,000.

It had me worried when I saw a Ford Escort today puffing blue smoke just like my car, but it kept on smoking while driving and never went away. So would the blue smoke get worse? At what point would this temporary smoke turn permanent? Anything I can do to fix it...or how expensive would it be to fix it? Should I sell the car while it's still not so serious?

I've read about sludge, but I haven't had it checked out for that yet. Most people seem to think it's some sealing ring leak and it's burning motor oil, and not sludge or anything releated.

[Brian R.]

You need to replace the valve seals. Oil is burning that gets in along the valve stems when the head is cold. Once it heats up, it expands and stops leaking.

[geodiggr]

I have the same problem and same engine...had it checked for a "sludging problem" and the dealer told me that it wasn't the problem...however, I don't necessarily believe that. But anyway, I've switched to a high mileage oil in the winter and it has solved the problem for now. I'm planning on using a heavier weight oil in the summer to overcome the leakage.

I've been told that to replace the valve seals you might as well have the whole engine overhauled. In addition, I was also told that to have the valve seals replaced it would run about $1,300 at the dealership - ouch!

Now, is any of this true? I dunno...but maybe someone with more insight can help out as I would just love to have that little puff of blue smoke go away cheaply!

By the way, I have 125k on the car now and it does run strong!

Rick

[1997Camry]

Yeah, I've been told it's at least a $600 -800 job on replacing the seals. Dealership is always much more of course. I'll give it a shot with the high mileage oil. What brand/kind is it? Also people have said using 5w30 oil will stop it too but then it'd appear again after 50k more miles, but I guess once it's loosed, it'll only get worse from now on. Is 5w30 hvy wt oil will cause more wear in engine? I'm in WA by the way so the weather is pretty moderate.

[Joe W]

This could be sludge related.Take the oil fill cap off and look around the bottom of it.If sludge is present it will be seen on the cap.BTW 5w30 is the recommended oil for this engine.

[Brian R.]

Whoever said that replacing the valve seals is equivalent to overhauling the engine doesn't know what they are talking about.

Anyway, don't go heavier than 10W30 in the summer and 5W30 in the winter if you live in the upper half of the US

[1997Camry]

10W30 it is then. I've been doing some research and it seems most major engine oil makers have "high mileage" oil with reconditioner that supposedly can give more sealing power to the deteriorated seals. I'll give those a try. When do I add it if I dont' change the oil myself though? Do I hand over 5qt of this oil and get the lube people to use those instead of their regular oil? I hope there's some discount since I'm using my own engine oil.

[Brian R.]

Yes, usually they will discount the cost of the oil if they use yours. Can't speak for everyone, though.

[geodiggr]

I've used 5W30 in the winter and plan on using 10W30 this summer. I've been using Castrol with good success. Last time around I switched to another brand b/c they were out of Castrol and I'm not as happy with it - it smokes much more than the Castrol.

The additives are 'built' into the oil.

Also, my car has been doing this smoking since 50k, around 125k on it now. I had it checked for sludge twice, once when I first noticed it at 50k and again when Toyota sent me a notice on it around 90k. Both times it was negative for sludge.

Anyway, the valve seals don't seem to be affecting the performance of the car. I'm still getting ~33 mpg on the road and around ~28 combined. Until it doesn't run anymore I don't think I'm sinking the $800 into it...unless I come into some money!

Rick