Help: White Smoke When Start Up

[camry98]

Hi folks,

This is my first time post here and I am happy to find such a forum. :)

I just bought a 98 Camry and found a problem when I start up the

car. Some white smoke goes out from the exhaust when I start the

car when the engine is cold, i.e., parked for an extended time. It will

last for about ten seconds then disappears. And it will not occur if

the engine is not cold or in drving. I just changed oil and get coolant

and oil checked by mechanics.

I would highly appreciate if anybody here can help me on this problem

or give me some hints. Thanks!!

[mikey553]

It probably just water vapor, which is normal for a cold engine. Watch your coolant level over a period of time. Coolant leaking into a cylinder can also cause white smoke.

Mike

[TheNissanMan]

oh and welcome to the club :)

[camry98]

Thanks mickey. The coolant level is good and not leaking.

[Altezza]

My car has tons of white smoke coming out from the exhaust pipe when the weather is cold. Those are probably water vapour but you may want to check with your dealer/mechanics to see if it's a normal situation.

[+Steve]

have the valve seals checked.. these allow oil to slowly leak into the cylinders over a amount of time.

Also have the car engine checked for sludging...

There will be a big difference with water vapour and oil smoke... you should be able to smell it.

[Chas]

I am assuming that you have a 4 cyl 5S-FE if so this is a common problem caused by worn valve seals, this problem can also be caused by overfilling of engine oil. My 95 Camry has the same problem, a puff now and again in the mornings, nothing to worry about unless your engine starts burning high amounts of oil.

[camry98]

Thank you very much for the replies!

I found the oil was over full. Then I changed the oil at walmart

but I still found it's over filled. How comes?

And the "check engine" lamp is on today. Any suggestions?