Gotta ask this once more (white smoke)

[Kiraush]

Alright, I already asked this once before, but I've gotten so many different answers that I need to ask again and throw some "facts" I've gotten.

I have white smoke at start up, only in the mornings and after the car has been sitting for a little while (I would say about an hour)

The biggest answer I've got is valve stem seals, but don't those have blue smoke at start?

Second biggest is blown head gasket, but wouldn't the smoke persist after start up? And wouldn't my oil be Milky? (it isn't) and wouldn't I be going through coolant like mad? (I'm not)

My mechanic grandpa of thirty six years says blown head gasket, his mechanic son of like twenty years says valve stems

My brain hurts

 

[jetjock]

I was just at MFR. As always I couldn't wait to leave. Anyway, here's an idea: stop anal-yzing such stuff and just drive the car...

 

[supraguy@aol]

LOL.
It's normal(depending on environmental conditions) to have a little white smoke(that evaporates) on startup when cold.
If you're not losing ANY coolant, you're probably fine. If you ARE losing coolant, do a block test and find out for SURE.

 

[supraguy@aol]

LOL.
It's normal(depending on environmental conditions) to have a little white smoke(that evaporates) on startup when cold.
If you're not losing ANY coolant, you're probably fine. If you ARE losing coolant, do a block test and find out for SURE.

PS- MFR looks like a pretty good-sized Class D airport, but being as I'm usually in a BE40, I rarely get out to the northwest areas, and when I do, its usually
SEA,CYVR, etc.

 

[jake8790]

but don't those have blue smoke at start?

Correct.

If the steam starts immediately, it's probably a BHG as the coolant is burning in the combustion chamber. If it takes 30 seconds or so to start, it's probably just condensation in the exhaust.

 

[Another MkIII]

Do a compression test, leakdown test, and pressure test the coolant system. Come back with those numbers and we'll talk.
-AM3