1990 Toyota Corolla Exhaust Smoke

JACKOLSON

MEMBER
1990 TOYOTA COROLLA
4 CYL
FWD
MANUAL
80,000 MILES

Carby-Engine

What does blue exhaust smoke mean? The smoke coming of the pipe is colored blue. What does that mean?

Thanks!

Friday, December 11th, 2009 AT 12:37 PM

3 Replies

MMPRINCE4000

MECHANIC
8,549 POSTS

Blue smoke is motor oil being burned in combustion chamber.

If this occurs during startup and then goes away or mostly goes away, it is the valve stem seals, which would need to be replaced. This can be done without removing head, but requires a special tool set.

If it occurs all the time, it could still be valve stem seals, or piston rings. A compression test will tell you if rings are bad.

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Saturday, December 12th, 2009 AT 8:05 AM

JACKOLSON

MEMBER
67 POSTS

Okay thanks. What should be the color of the smoke then? No color it should be right? And how can I go about the compression test?

Thanks

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Saturday, December 12th, 2009 AT 10:00 AM

MMPRINCE4000

MECHANIC
8,549 POSTS

Exhaust should be clear, in winter in cold climates, you will see white smoke which is water vapor condensing from the hot convertor.

Any garage can perform a compression test, if one or more cylinders is low, then rings or POSSIBLE valve problem, but geneally on a Toyota it would be rings, since valve activation is solid, not hydraulic.

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Sunday, December 13th, 2009 AT 7:24 AM