98 V70R blue smoke

[Bren]

Hey guys,

My colleague mentioned to me today that as I pulled out of the office parking lot (perhaps...gingerly ) that there was some blue smoke coming from the tailpipe. there's NO blue smoke when it idles at all...so this is likely only happening under load.

what would be the likely cause of burning oil like this?

[scot850]

Possibly worn valve stem seals. I usually consider the valve stem seals when the smoke is on load (Accelerating) or on over-run with sudden lift-off.

I know you have done a lot of work on this car, but I'm sorry I can't recall if you replaced the PCV system. That would be my other starting point.

Neil.

[bmdubya1198]

+1 on the valve stem seals. But was the car cold when he noticed this? From what I've heard, the smoke from valve stem seals is seen more when the car is warmed up.

[Bren]

Thanks.

Yes the car was relatively cold when this happened...hmm

I haven't yet done the PCV system on the car but it likely needs it. Haven't investigated yet - waiting for the Canadian weather to warm up

Can anyone recommend a place to get the PCV parts that won't destroy me on shipping or duty to Canada?

[erikv11]

Blue smoke at first start-up (i.e. when cold) is the classic symptom of bad valve stem seals: while the car is sitting somewhere parked, the oil leaks down onto the exhaust valves, and pools up there. At startup, the pooled oil burns off (hence the blue puff) once the exhaust is hot enough to burn it. Same pooling happens when it sits idling, then it puffs next time you open the throttle.

[Bren]

Definitely NO blue smoke at first start up.

...was just told of blue smoke second-hand when pulling away from a stop.

[erikv11]

Yeah, that fits too. It's a bummer but an unfortunate fact of life, a lot of these 20-year old white block engines have bad valve stem seals.

[Bren]

I'm just going to pretend it's the PCV system and see if that helps first.

[erikv11]

And it could be, you are right, go for it!