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Intermittent blue smoke
Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2024 7:18 am
by professorjedi
Hey all,
I have a 2010 2.4L AWD 4-speed Vibe with 98K miles.
I'm starting to see a little blue smoke out of the tail pipe when I start the car and it doesn't happen every time. It usually happens when the car is cold and sat overnight. When I start the car after its run for awhile I don't see any smoke.
I've heard the 2.4L tends to burn oil as it gets older and that it may be because of poorly seated rings.
Should I worry about this? Or just replace oil as needed. I live in SoCal so I typically run 5W-20.
Thanks for any thoughts!
Mike
Re: Intermittent blue smoke
Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2024 11:56 am
by jolt
On old cars, before catalytic convertors were installed, start up smoke was cause by hard valve stem seals that were leaking oil as long as the engine did not burn a lot of oil. A catalytic convertor can cover up the oil smoke as the catalytic convertor gets very hot. The catalytic convertor can burn the oil before the smoke gets out the exhaust pipe so you do not see any smoke.
The 2.4L engine ring problem is from the oil control ring get plugged with carbon from trapped oil in the ring. Best way to avoid this is to change your motor oil often. Do not try to go 7,000 miles on an oil change. Once this carbon is formed in the oil control ring, it is too late to try and do anything about it other then tear the engine down, clean piston, and replace the rings. Remember that it took all those years and miles for this to happen and it can not be undone easily.
Change oil, watch oil level, and I would run 5-30w motor oil where you live. This may help slow the smoke a little.
Re: Intermittent blue smoke
Posted: Fri Mar 22, 2024 12:00 pm
by professorjedi
jolt wrote: ↑Sun Mar 10, 2024 11:56 am
On old cars, before catalytic convertors were installed, start up smoke was cause by hard valve stem seals that were leaking oil as long as the engine did not burn a lot of oil. A catalytic convertor can cover up the oil smoke as the catalytic convertor gets very hot. The catalytic convertor can burn the oil before the smoke gets out the exhaust pipe so you do not see any smoke.
The 2.4L engine ring problem is from the oil control ring get plugged with carbon from trapped oil in the ring. Best way to avoid this is to change your motor oil often. Do not try to go 7,000 miles on an oil change. Once this carbon is formed in the oil control ring, it is too late to try and do anything about it other then tear the engine down, clean piston, and replace the rings. Remember that it took all those years and miles for this to happen and it can not be undone easily.
Change oil, watch oil level, and I would run 5-30w motor oil where you live. This may help slow the smoke a little.
Thanks so much for the info!!!
Re: Intermittent blue smoke
Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2024 9:10 pm
by lexicon
3rd Generation Prius cars are notorious for oil burning due to oil control rings. Not saying this is "exactly" the same thing w your Vibe, but, I have read that some folks have successfully used additives to get the rings to loosen up. Some have poured some "Mystery Oil" Or Berrymans fluid. Some have used
I will include one link, but definitely look for more on Prius Chat.
Ive also read of folks using BG EPR in the oil to free things up.
IF you go this route, let us know of your results. Running synthetic oil is also a plus
https://priuschat.com/threads/piston-soak.232512/