rworne

This has been happening off and on, and is now getting more "on".

My S2000 has always had high oil consumption since it was new - about 1 quart for 1000-1500 miles, sometimes a bit higher. Yeah, really.

Lately I have noticed the car lets out a single puff of blue smoke when the engine is started. It does not do this all the time, and usually does it when the car has been sitting for a couple of hours and the engine is still somewhat warm.

No smoking during idle or normal driving - I haven't noticed it during acceleration or downshifting either.

Other info:
MY2003, 48K miles. I've been using Mobile 1 since about 9K miles and there are no mods. Blackstone oil tests showed nothing unusual - even with the high consumption, but it's been quite a few miles (20K) since the last Blackstone test.

05APdeuce

sounds like a valve problem to me

rworne

Yup. My guess is the valve guides. We have a '98 Camry that does this same thing. Mechanically the car is sound, since the blue smoke means in this case that a few drops of oil got in the cylinders while the car was shut off.

The big problem is that it's embarrassing as all hell when the car does this in public.

Fixing it isn't a cheap repair either.

agrajagg

You can do the the valve stem seals without having to remove the head but it is involved and requires shop equipment. The guides could be (most likely are) why the seals are leaking. Bank on a valve job but the seals can be done as a stop gap.

Supra-holic

Yup, sounds like valve stem seals to me. My Supra craps out a smurf everytime I start it.

countach

Yep, this resembles de typical valve-guide issue. Some clouds of smoke alone, not "always smoking".

It is not very dangerous for the engine, but soon or later you will have to replace that guides.

AeroS2000

MY 03 RED is also doing this from time to time. how would I tell the dealer or mechanic what to fix?


im buring about 3-4 quarts per 3000 miles.

to clarify, valve stem seal and valve guide is the same thing correct?

snakeeater

Nope. Seal is a little "cap" on top of the guide. Seals can be changed w/o head removal. Guides can't.

Red Bull

Hey my 03 NFR does it also!! 50k on mine. SUX!

AeroS2000

shyt. do you think changing the valve seal can slove the oil burning issue?

MY03 NFR is 61K miles now.

Good to know that at least im not the only one with this issue.

we need to keep in touch untill we find a fix for this