When I start my 89 T/A up, a cloud of smoke leaves the tailpipes and soon dissipates. I just performed a tune up on the car a couple of months ago when I bought the car. Also, the car is only supposed to have around 60,000 miles on the rebuilt 305 TPI. My uncles 83 Z28 had the same issue. Does anyone know what this could be and how I could fix it? Thanks

 

Valve stem seals. Very common problem.

 

if its a whitish color smoke its definitly most likely valve stem seals, my old iroc did the same

 

I thought if it was a blue color smoke that it was valve seals. I'm having the same problem, but it's blue smoke and I'm about to replace the seals.

 

Definetly valve seals.I recommend you buy the umbrella updated seals not the little stock o-rings.Also if you never have done them and you plan on doing them with the heads on the engine,Have someone knowledged with you so you dont drop a valve in the cylinder! good luck.

 

I was just about to post a thread on this!

Mine '91 Firebird with the 305 TBI does this every time I start it. Even after oil changes/tunes ups/etc. It is good to know that this is a common known problem though. Now that I think about it, I think every video I've seen on these boards where you can see the exhaust exit I've seen this white smoke.

I'm a complete newb at this stuff so bear with me:

Is this smoke oil burning? If left untouched what damage or negative affects can occur? What is the cost of replacing the valve seals and can it be done with basic tools by a newbie?

Thanks in advance.

 

I also would like to know

 

All it really is, is a bit of oil leaking down into the cylinder, and burning off at startup. I have not seen many camaros or firebirds that dont puff for a second or two at startup. Not a real big deal, but worth fixing if it wont break your back.

 

Wow I didn't know this was so common. So what all is involved with the changing of these seals? Thanks for all of the input.

 

I know this thread is old as dirt, but is there a writeup on this or something?

 

I suggest you have a skilled mechanic change them to see how its done the 1st time rather than explain and you destroy your engine.It involves feeding air in each cylinder and removing the valve springs n seals 1 by 1 without dropping them down the chamber.Ive also seen it done with rope in the sparkplug hole.Or you can go the long hard route and remove the cylinder heads which is way to much work imo.

 

Thank you for that explanation, I believe I'll just leave it be for now.

 

It doesn't really cause any problems unless a few are really bad and you'll burn some oil. I'd check your plugs sometime to see if any are really carbon'd up.

My 88' blazer does it pretty bad on startup along with a loud squealy belt. Pretty folk laugh and shake their heads. Flannel and the jack daniel's hat complete the onsemble.