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Jim Grant's Tech Tips
91 Plymouth
Acclaim, Smoke Screen on Start-up
Q: I have a ‘91 Plymouth Acclaim. When I
turn it on in the morning, there's a lot of smoke coming out of the tailpipe.
Once the engine is warm, it stops smoking. I was told it might be the
valve seals. Is this true? If they are, how much would it cost to repair
them? Thanks for your help......Arturo
A: Generally
if the valve seals are failing you will get a cloud of smoke (blue in
color) out the exhaust on start-up. But, this cloud will clear up quickly
if it is valve seal related. Note there are some engine designs that this
does not hold true. But, I’m comfortable in your case to say that it is
not valve seal related. You state that your vehicle’s engine is smoking
out the exhaust on start-up and continues to until the engine reaches
a certain temperature. I would be inclined to believe that the oil control
and/or scraper rings on the pistons are failing. When the piston rings
that control oil loss fail, the volume of smoke out the exhaust is from
noticeable to quite remarkable as the engine is warming. Once the engine
is to operating temperature there may be no detectable smoke what so ever
out the exhaust. I would suggest having an engine specialist check into
your problem for the needed repairs.
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