Smokey exhaust on start-up

Keep it on topic, it will make it easier to find what you need.
Post Reply
SanRafaelFaz

Smokey exhaust on start-up

Post by SanRafaelFaz »

My engine is fully within spec, new timing belt, carb gone through and cleaned, valves adjusted, timing spot on, electronic ignition, etc. Runs good and strong and starts up with the slightest turn of the key. However, on cold starts I get a lot of smelly exhaust blowing out. Once she settles down, it clears up, but I have to say, it's almost embarrassing to let her warm in the driveway blowing exhaust down the street. She doesn't leak nor burn oil. Can this be a carbon build up? I haven't really driven it much since getting her back on the road. She does sit for a week or more at a time, too. And what driving I do is more of the back road type stuff.
TIA!
User avatar
azruss
Posts: 3659
Joined: Sun May 30, 2010 12:24 pm
Your car is a: 80 Fiat 2000 FI

Re: Smokey exhaust on start-up

Post by azruss »

I put my money on worn valve guides and seals. Do you get smoke out the back when you let the engine compression down. I'm also assuming the smoke is blue and not white. (blue being oil and white being coolant)
User avatar
124JOE
Posts: 3141
Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2011 7:11 pm
Your car is a: 1978 124 fiat spider sport 1800
Location: SO. WI

Re: Smokey exhaust on start-up

Post by 124JOE »

yep valve seals
mine does it a bit also

but only smokes for the first min
when you do everything correct people arent sure youve done anything at all (futurama)
ul1joe@yahoo.com 124joe@gmail.com
User avatar
ga.spyder
Posts: 3478
Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 7:19 pm
Your car is a: 1982 Spider 2000
Location: Blairsville ,Ga.

Re: Smokey exhaust on start-up

Post by ga.spyder »

I third the motion...valve seals.Mine also does it for the first few seconds after sitting for more than a few days.The oil in the cam boxes seeps down past the worn seals,into the cylinders.On startup,it burns out of there.An annoyance,but not a huge deal
Craig Nelson

1982 Spider 2000...pride and joy
1981 Fiat X1/9..gone but not forgotten
1976 124 Spider..the self-healer
2001 BMW 328ci daily driver and track car
Fling It Around Turns !
SanRafaelFaz

Re: Smokey exhaust on start-up

Post by SanRafaelFaz »

Thanks for the consensus. The "smoke" is actually more of a grey-ish, almost like there is condensation present and it doesn't smell like oil. At any rate, what am I looking at to replace worn valve seals?
Dumb question, does the head have to come off? :?
User avatar
ga.spyder
Posts: 3478
Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 7:19 pm
Your car is a: 1982 Spider 2000
Location: Blairsville ,Ga.

Re: Smokey exhaust on start-up

Post by ga.spyder »

It could very well just be condensation.These cars dont build a lot of heat,and when not driven frequently,condensation does tend to form in the pipe.In cool weather,mine has grayish vapor type exhaust until the car is up to temp.
The head would have to come off and go to a machine shop for a valve job.I really dont have a clue on price,but if you bring the head to them,it cant be too bad.Mine has had the worn seals and slight smoke on startup for years :oops:
Craig Nelson

1982 Spider 2000...pride and joy
1981 Fiat X1/9..gone but not forgotten
1976 124 Spider..the self-healer
2001 BMW 328ci daily driver and track car
Fling It Around Turns !
Post Reply