white smoke @ start up 99 Camry 4cyl

[skipesk]

Got a question for you Camry owners or past owners, mechanics etc.
Upon start up I get a fair amount of white smoke out the tail pipe of my 99 Camry? It's more visilbe now in the colder weather (live in S NJ). The vehicle does have 109K miles on it, I'm not sure if this is par for the course, or not. I did just do my first oil chg since buying it, and it was a little more than a half a quart low, since I didn't previously change it , I'm not really sure how many miles since the last chg? Needed a establish a starting base with this vehicle. Do any of you out there have the same experience? Is there anyway I could lessen the output by maybe adding some slick 50, or maybe Lucas oil additive my next change, or changes? Appreciate any of your thoughts or comments, suggestions thank you.
Rock on

Skip

[mral1515]

Originally Posted by skipesk

Got a question for you Camry owners or past owners, mechanics etc.
Upon start up I get a fair amount of white smoke out the tail pipe of my 99 Camry? It's more visilbe now in the colder weather (live in S NJ). The vehicle does have 109K miles on it, I'm not sure if this is par for the course, or not. I did just do my first oil chg since buying it, and it was a little more than a half a quart low, since I didn't previously change it , I'm not really sure how many miles since the last chg? Needed a establish a starting base with this vehicle. Do any of you out there have the same experience? Is there anyway I could lessen the output by maybe adding some slick 50, or maybe Lucas oil additive my next change, or changes? Appreciate any of your thoughts or comments, suggestions thank you.
Rock on

Skip

You might want to check to make sure you don't have any sludge build up in the engine. You can do this by removing the valve cover gasket. If there is no sludge present you can get away with just putting valve stem seals in it. They will more than likely need to be replaced no matter what condition the engine is in. If you have engine sludge present you might contact your dealer they do have some assistance through Toyota on certain vehicles, the Camry is one however they only provide assistance on vehicle that the in service date is 8 years or newer. Let us know how it goes and good luck.

[njerald]

White smoke is water or coolant.

Check your coolant level.

[skipesk]

mral1515, I've got a question
Your saying remove the valve cover, and gasket, right? I do remember seeing something somewhere on this site that mentions sludge with this vehicle/motor. Again the smoke is only at start up, and not while driving. I do plan on changing the oil&filter every 3500 miles, so should I just wait to see if the smoke issue's improve, or will this sludge if present be a bigger headache if not dealt with, thanks in advance.

Skip

[mral1515]

Originally Posted by skipesk

mral1515, I've got a question
Your saying remove the valve cover, and gasket, right? I do remember seeing something somewhere on this site that mentions sludge with this vehicle/motor. Again the smoke is only at start up, and not while driving. I do plan on changing the oil&filter every 3500 miles, so should I just wait to see if the smoke issue's improve, or will this sludge if present be a bigger headache if not dealt with, thanks in advance.

Skip

If it is sludged it will not get any better. As far as the smoking condition getting any better you more than likely have leaking valve stem seals and they will need to be changed before the smoke goes away

[njerald]

Who are these clowns?

White smoke is not oil!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[skipesk]

njerald,
My coolant level fine, and it is very clean, whats your suggestion?
Thanks

[njerald]

Originally Posted by skipesk

njerald,
My coolant level fine, and it is very clean, whats your suggestion?
Thanks

Head gasket, cracked head.

Does the white exhaust smell sweet, like antifreeze?

Mechanic can check for exhaust gas in your coolant.

If it is just in cold weather or when warming up, it is just normal condensation.

[rufnek]

It is simply condensation . To jump to gel (sludge) in engine is a simple error in that technicians judgement. (sry) Your coolant level is fine. It is white smoke and not bluish. You will however , want to have your camry checked for gel (sludge) issues. If the car has not been maintained properly , this can create much worse issues. 99 camry is no longer in the campaign issued by Toyota. But you can stop by the local dealership and they can run a report to see if this repair has ever been done.

rufnek
TMDT

[LifeTech]

Originally Posted by njerald

Who are these clowns?

White smoke is not oil!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Correctomundo...White smoke IS not Oil.
In fact it just might be normal condensate found on cold startups in cold weather for 15 minutes of warm up.
Could also be coolant leaking within a water jacket somewhere. More serious.

Does the oil in the oil cap or dipstick look milky in appearance? A sign of coolant migration.

LT

[mral1515]

HM Let me look at business card one more time.

Yep thats what I thought It says Master.

[mral1515]

Originally Posted by njerald

Who are these clowns?

White smoke is not oil!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How many Camry's have you seen that were sludged? Personally I have seen more than a hundred. This is what happens to them when the valve stem seals start seeping due to gel build up. I have seen very few Camry's that have had leaking head gaskets. The "white smoke" emitted from the tailpipe at start up is a pretty good sign of this. As I stated before it would be a good idea in my professional opinion to check and make sure it is not gelled.

Signed
The Clown

[mral1515]

Nevermind. Sorry for the rant.

[rufnek]

I was not trying to step on your toes mral1515, but if you want to throw your Toyota business card around . I to am a Toyota Master Diag tech and a shop foreman as well . I have also seen a fair share of gel engines. But white smoke is simply not a factor in diagnosing gel engine. I won't say that this is not a concern , but the information that was provided , doesn't indicate a gel engine

Rufnek
TMDT---> ( Toyota Master Diagnostic Tech )

[mral1515]

Originally Posted by rufnek

I was not trying to step on your toes mral1515, but if you want to throw your Toyota business card around . I to am a Toyota Master Diag tech and a shop foreman as well . I have also seen a fair share of gel engines. But white smoke is simply not a factor in diagnosing gel engine. I won't say that this is not a concern , but the information that was provided , doesn't indicate a gel engine

Rufnek
TMDT---> ( Toyota Master Diagnostic Tech )

If I thought you were stepping on my toes I would have put your comments in quotes. If this vehicle was in my shop based on the number of gelled vehicles I have seen this would be the first place I would look.

However I would always duplicate the concern first. It is very hard to diagnose over the internet. As I mentioned it is very easy to remove the valve cover to check especially with the OP saying he has just purchased the vehicle and his oil level was low.

I am also quite aware of what TMDT means. Congratulations on that.