It's a 2002 Toyota Solara with 87k mi. I haven't had any problems with it, though when I had a fuse replaced this summer, I noticed 2 valve cover bolts missing afterwards (shiny screw holes) I just had another oil change and it immediately began blowing blue smoke when I start it and also when I accelerate. The goodyear place put in MORE oil, as it is burning it. There are no leaks. They accused me of not getting oil changes. I do this at 7000 miles (as per book)as I drive turnpike speeds mostly. They're saying valve cover gasket, and maybe valves now. Why would this be all of a sudden like this, and how much does each step cost, with an honest business?
Is it really worth fixing? It needs new sneakers, subwoofer, and maybe paint to look really sweet again.My car just began blowing blue smoke, how can I be sure what the problem is?
Trust me with this. There is a difference between internal leak and external leak. Missing valve cover bolts will let oil to leak out to engine. You may see smoke from the engine bay but never from tail pipe. From my experience, sudden blue smoke after oil change is usually from over filling the engine with oil. If your engine is V6, it should take about five and a half quarts. Pull the dipstick out and check the level. If it檚 way over, you found the problem. Otherwise, you probably have an internal leak. If there is no tapping or knocking noise, I suspect the engine may be jelling which let oil to leak through valve seals (they are different from valve cover gasket) to combustion chamber. Some Toyota V6檚 are known to jell when they are not maintained regularly. Take it to a Toyota dealer and get an accurate diagnosis. It may cost about $50~100. Misdiagnosed, you could spend thousands more for parts you don檛 need. But remember, check the dipstick/oil level first!My car just began blowing blue smoke, how can I be sure what the problem is?
Blue smoke is bad.
Could be valve guides if it skokes bad when started then is good.
This is expensive.
More than likely the engine is worn out. (very expensive).
I would be looking at trading it in while it still runs.My car just began blowing blue smoke, how can I be sure what the problem is?
if oil is burning in your chambers it is either a blown gasket or worn piston ringsMy car just began blowing blue smoke, how can I be sure what the problem is?
Take care of the engine first before the speakers and paint.
Blue smoke is always an indicator of burning oil.
If you're missing bolts from the valve cover, then there is not a good seal to keep fluids in the engine, so the pistons and rings are hotter and burning oil. The rings can go, the valves can warp and the pistons can as well and then the engine willl seize up and stop. Sounds like your mechanic is being on the level with you about what needs to be done.
Unfortunately, you should have acted immediately when you noticed the missing valve cover bolts. Even a week or two of operating your car with missing bolts like this can damage or cripple your car's engine.
So skip the ruffles and bows of speakers, subwoofers and pain and take care of the fundamentals first.My car just began blowing blue smoke, how can I be sure what the problem is?
blue smoke means you are buring oil, plus with the bolts missing on the valve cover you are probably losing oil from that also. replace the missing boltsMy car just began blowing blue smoke, how can I be sure what the problem is?
BIG PROBLEMS. blue smoke usually means that youre burning oil. that being said, rings in a cyclinder could be bad or you have a set of burnt valves either way your looking at some money. a valve cover gasket has nothing to do with it, it is alot deeper than that. damn the luck.
