Blue smoke on start-up

[kevinr1970]

My truck just rolled over 16,200 miles. I bought truck new with 32 miles.
4.8L V-8 with five-speed manual.

I left my truck sitting from Thursday night until Monday morning as I was using my 4x4 to haul some stuff around; I really don’t use my ’06 as a truck.
When I started it, a small cloud of blue smoke went drifting by the window. You might call it a puff? It was more than I get from my ’86 though. It was not continuous.
I noticed something similar a few months back after I had let the truck sit for about a week. This was around 12,000 miles.
I have changed the oil every 3,000-3500 miles except on the last change. I used synthetic and am planning on changing the oil with synthetic again at 16,500. That will be at 5,000 miles.

So my question is how concerned should I be on this blue smoke on start-up? It is not every time, just twice now after sitting for a few days.
I had read something recently about warranties not covering smoke on start-up as they considered it “normal wear”.

I know there are some GM techs in these parts and am wondering what they think. Anyone else’s opinions are appreciated too!

[67ChevyRedneck]

Is your engine using oil? GM was having problems with the PCV's sticking. My truck was doing what yours was and then it started doing it daily and using a quart of oil every 3K.

I read on the net GM offers a fixed orifice PCV (no ball inside) to fix this. I think I paid like 10 bucks for it and had to wait a day for it to come in. 48 seconds under the hood and problem solved

Maybe that's all that's wrong with it. I changed mine at around 90K and change the oil about every 4K (5K oil) and it barely uses 1/8 of a quart over that time. It's got 107K now and hasn't smoked on startup once (even after sitting for a week cause I drive the 67 a lot ).

[kevinr1970]

It doesn't seem to use any oil? I haven't had to add any except with oil changes.

I talked to the service department where I bought it. I am going to drop it off tomorow night and they are going to let it sit through the weekend and see what they see on monday.

Should I be concerned with my air intake kit? I believe it is not supposed to affect the warranty but have heard some stories there too. It is a FRAM Airboost kit.

[67ChevyRedneck]

http://www.google.com/search?client=...=Google+Search

Click on the first link and view as a pdf, you don't get the pictures with .html.

Never heard of the fram airboost kit? I just run a k&n filter.

[kevinr1970]

That page didn't discuss smoke on start-up; were the images of the PCV what you were trying to get across?

The FRAM kit is probably similar to the K&N kit. Replace the stock "modern art" piece from the filter to the TB with a section of pipe. Cone shaped filter.
Big differnece would be no oiling the FRAM filter.
Funny, my link to the the home site for FRAM boost takes me to Amazon. Same with the link from the FRAM homepage? Maybe they aren't making them anymore.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by kevinr1970

That page didn't discuss smoke on start-up; were the images of the PCV what you were trying to get across?

The FRAM kit is probably similar to the K&N kit. Replace the stock "modern art" piece from the filter to the TB with a section of pipe. Cone shaped filter.
Big differnece would be no oiling the FRAM filter.
Funny, my link to the the home site for FRAM boost takes me to Amazon. Same with the link from the FRAM homepage? Maybe they aren't making them anymore.

Yeah, just to show what it looked like. Mine was burning oil and smoking on start up. Just trying to offer up a cheap "rule out." Your truck may not be burning enough oil for it to be noticable on the dipstick, but if it is getting past the PCV it will sit there when you shut it down and when you go to refire the oil that blew by will smoke on start up.... Cool thing is, you'll NEVER have to replace the PCV again

Hopefully it's nothing serious

What did the dealer say?

[kevinr1970]

I dropped it off Friday after work. They were going to let it sit until toaday but I told them to give until tomorrow.
Will know more tomorrow afternoon. I'll ask them about the PCV in case its been a common problem.
Its still under warranty so hopefully what ever it is is taken care of...

[DavesRide]

I was reading through this and thought I might add my 2cents. I have worked at the Chevrolet dealership for the last 15 years until about 2 weeks ago. The PCV valve was more of an oil consumption problem. We would just install the new style that has a hole about 1/4 of the size as the original. As far as what GM might tell could be that your engine is not "Broke In" yet. I test drove hundreds of new trucks on their initial check over. I would drive them around for about 5 miles and then pull back into shop to finish paperwork. Almost always they "puffed" a little smoke when I started them up again. Other than the PCV oil consumption problem we rarely if never replaced an engine for oil consumption. Any car I have ever had used a quart in 3000 miles. GM will go as far as to say 1 quart in a 1000 miles especially during break in is considered normal, if you can stomach that or not. Good Luck and enjoy that new truck anyhow. David

[kevinr1970]

I left the truck at the dealer for five days and they called me and said they didn't see any smoke.
I drove the truck for the first time Monday night after not driving it since the Sunday before - eight days.
Didn't see any smoke when it started this time either?

[OLDIRON69]

my 2002 did the same thing at about 50K. I traded it in. I changed the oil every 3k and regular maint. It was bone stock except duals.I would just keep close eye on it and hope for the best.