blue smoke start up

[chaserob]

It’s worse on a cold start but it also does it on a warm start as well just not as bad. There’s Not a lot of humidity right now in Centra Texas it’s been pretty hot and dry

 

[Burla]

Rings can surely create blue smoke, and you can verify with a used oil analysis and you will also have fuel in oil. However, first do the leak down as that will settle it. If it isn't valves, surely rings could be a culprit. Pistons have to travel back up in oil, if that isn't sealed oil will get into combustion chamber. At this point valves makes most sense as the valves are likely leaking down and that is why there is more smoke at startup as already said, but secondly if not valves rings are a possibility. If they fix it, I'd still do everything in post number 2, because you know the dealer wouldn't, and likely all that stuff is due. peace, burla

 

[Nova John]

Shouldn't smoke but chack pcv valve and put a catch can on it. My 2011 smoked a little if I started it move it out of driveway to get my show car out, then it would puff a little smoke upon start up. Catch car and no more smoke. That was 80,000 miles ago. Good luck.

 

[RamCares]

Will do it’s in the shop right now they’re trying to diagnose dealer said it was normal I disagree but I will give it a shot after it gets out if they Can’t figure it out thanks for the advice

Hi chaserob,

Please keep us updated on your dealer's findings. If our team can be of any additional assistance while your truck is in service, we'd be happy to help. We're just a PM away.

Mark
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[Warren Warburton]

Worn valve guides and or seals will cause a puff of blue smoke when the cold engine is first started. The oil will flow past the valve guide and or seal into the combustion chamber and when you start the engine those few drops of oil burn off causing a puff of blue smoke.

 

[TomB 1269]

If it were rings he will find oil in the air intake and a very oily PCV valve. As worn rings allow blow-by and blow-up cause increase air pressure in the crankcase which results in oil particles remaining atomized and suspended that are then carried up into the the PVC/Crankcase venting system.

However, what he is describing is very much associated with valve seals. What caused it could be several things, particularly with a low mileage truck it could have sat for an extended period without being run (think year or more). Could have been overheated (i.e. particularly high oil temps). The previous owner may have had poor oil change maintenance. Finally, low oil pressure at speed reducing the lubrication of the valve stem.

Do what is your oil pressure at RPM (i.e. 1500 - 1800), is it 25-30 psi or better?

If it is just valve seals the the job can be fairly easy with the right tools, air chuck that spins in to spark plug hole, valve spring compressor, needle nose pliers, and magnet. But it is not a job I would suggest for the average driveway mechanic. You are gonna pay a good bit in labor as the valve covers have to come off and in these trucks there is some stuff in the way that makes it take time to remove the valve covers.

As for smog/emission, even if you do not have smog/emission testing, and you could run it like this for years. It will degrade fuel mileage and performance as it coats O2 sensors, and inevitably you will have to replace cats as the oil will clog them up over time.