I know that this question has been asked a million times, but why does my car blow out that wonderful blue smoke whenever it starts? I hear that it could be a valve guide seal problem, and at worst it might be piston rings...however, I figure bad piston rings would screw my compression and make me have bad gas mileage and lose power (I still burn em easily and crank out about 240 miles on a tank of gas under normal driving). How much would a problem like this cost to fix? I mean, I dont really care about it aside from the fact that you see my car, its bright red and in beautiful condition, I start it up, and it coughs out that very unsightly cloud, messing up the whole image of my car. HELP ME!!!

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305IrocZ28- Al
1990 Iroc-z 305 TPI auto, Flowmaster exhaust, 2 Rockford 10'' Punch woofers w/ 160a2 amp, 2.73 rear (1650 rpms @ 60mph)

 

It is probably worn valve seals. They become brittle after time and allow oil to leak down the valve guide and pool on the piston. When you start the car after it has sat for a period it smokes. It is a pretty common problem that is not to difficult to repair.

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92Z28
89GTA

 

I agree with the above post.

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383 86 Camaro Z28 ---1/4 mile et>13.65@103mph,,
10.5:1compression Dart Pro 1 Aluminum heads 215cc>2.05/1.60 valves,400 steel crank,cam specs:224/234 at 050 525/525 lift,3500 stall converter,shift kit,4.10 gears,770 Holley Avenger,Victor Jr. Intake,true dual exh,Hooker headers with 40 series Flowmasters,MSD Coil and Module.ALSO SECOND GEN Z28---mods:454 BBC,.546 max lift(doug herbert cam ) 750 Holley vac sec. ,Edelbrock Performer manifold,Holley electric fuel pump,Hooker headers,Flowmaster mufflers,beefed up 700r4 tranny, 3.90 gears, powertrax unit, B&M console shifter.

 

Change your oil brand and or type. Try some mobil one synthetic they have 30 and 50 weight, advance auto parts sells havoline 40 weight synthetic. Don't use conventional motor oil if you don't want to see smoke!

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1990 formula 350

 

I replaced the valve stem seals on a 91 T/A 305 TPI that had the same symptoms. On 1st restart, it still puffed some blue smoke but after that it has totally cured the problem. The seals alone were less than $20 ... good luck.