2003 Toyota Highlander It smokes when started up

Tiny
TERRYCASE
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER
  • 6 CYL
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 51,000 MILES
Everything on car is in very good shape, except, I have been noticing when I start up the engine, smoke comes out of the exhaust. This doesn't seem right to me. I had a 2000 Jeep Cherokee with 110,000 miles and it never smoked a bit. Please help. Thanks
Wednesday, May 14th, 2008 AT 3:46 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

If the smoke is blue, it will be oil and you may have a problem with the vale stem seals. If it keeps smoking after start up a more serious problem may exist. If black smoke, this will be over fueling, may be a faulty injector, if white smoke coolant and a possible head problem will be the cause. What colour is the smoke, and how long does it last?

Mark (mhpautos)
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Wednesday, May 14th, 2008 AT 5:45 PM
Tiny
BODYMENDER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I have the similar problem. The smoke is blue color but it goes away when I am driving. I think it is oil burning but what is the cause?
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Tuesday, April 14th, 2009 AT 2:15 PM
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

If you get a puff of blue smoke on start up this is normally a sigh of worn valve stem seals, oil is passing the seal and running down the valve stem into the combustion chamber.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Tuesday, April 14th, 2009 AT 5:21 PM

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