Strange Smokey startups - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

Martin · 11-08-2002, 06:56

Over the last couple of weeks, when I start after sitting overnight, it runs real rough for say 10-15 secs, with a nice cloud of smoke out the exhaust. Some days it resembles my old POS Corona, other days there may be a little bit, and some none at all.
Also after overnight it will sometimes take half a crank to start, some normal (2.5 cranks) and sometimes up to 5+ cranks. If it starts normal, there will be little or no smoke, with the other two, there will be some or shitloads.

But once warmed up it re-starts fine with no visable smoke, no smoke either when I accelerate from a stop.

It first started doing the same time as when the car started performing like a dog and getting shit economy(~160kms/25L), I was using Caltex Vortex/Gold Premuim from one particular servo, started filling up at a different servo and now the car runs better than ever and fuel economy is back to normal, but still starts like a dog.

Any ideas??

Cheers

11-08-2002, 07:52

There's threads around about starting probs but as for the startup smoke, check you valve stem seals.

TopGhia · 11-08-2002, 09:48

I agree with MustardX. Some oil will run down the valve stems and collect on the pistons. When you start up in the morning, that little amount gets burned. As the valve guides wear it becoms more noticeable.
Not really worth worrying about until it gets real bad and starts fouling plugs.

Martin · 11-08-2002, 18:07

I cant imagine that Valve stem seals would suddenly wear overnight though? Before a couple of weeks ago it had never done this at all.....

XplodEd EA · 11-08-2002, 21:20

head gasket is a very slim possibility, a car that I was about to buy had all the same symptons, I got to take the car home overnight to take it into work for a mechanical inspection. A week later they dealer was doin the head gasket in it

TopGhia · 11-08-2002, 21:29

Quote:

I cant imagine that Valve stem seals would suddenly wear overnight though?

Gotta start sometime.

What sort of oil are you using? If it is thin synthetic stuff change back to the good ol' 15W/40 as recommended by Ford.

Let us know what you find out.

Rollin · 11-11-2002, 04:43

what colour is the smoke? black means running rich and white is lean/burning oil.

you might have a leaky injector or a FUBAR fuel pressure regulator, if you have a leaky injector it will flood the intake with fuel overnight and cause it to run like crap in the morning.

change the fuel filter anyway just in case too.

Martin · 11-11-2002, 05:03

Top Gear
Im running semi synthetic Mobil 15w50

Is there anyway to test the injectors to see if they are leaky? Or do I just take it to a fuel injection specialist?

MADNC_8 · 11-12-2002, 03:38

give some injector clean a try before doing anything. the injector(s) might foul open slightly enough for a few dribbles of fuel to go into the cylender

do this before going to an injector specialist, as they will most likely do this any way and charge you a packet

Cobra · 11-12-2002, 03:51

Vavle stem seals were the first thing that came to my head aswell.