I wasn't sure where to post this (lounge, your ride, general, etc...) since it isn't a Bonneville, but this seemed like the most fitting forum to post it it. If one of the administrators doesn't feel this is the proper place for it, please feel free to re-located it. Maybe forced induction is a better place for it? I don't know...

So anyways, when I first start up my STE it will smoke blue smoke while idling. As soon as I start driving no more blue smoke. Then if I stop at a stoplight it will smoke blue smoke ONLY if the revs are below 1000rpms. If I hold the revs at like 11 or 1200 rpms it is fine.

I was told that blue smoke (oil) after startup is usally bad valve guides or seals or something to do with the valves. If thats what it is, I'm not worried because I have my new Gen III heads sitting right here ready to be installed, but I'm not so sure thats what it is due to it smoking at low RPM'* only.

I'm also thinking that maybe it is a head gasket, but is that a normal symptom of a blown head gasket??? Also not a problem if that is what it is because of the same reason as above, but I'm not sure. The car still runs VERY VERY well.

I was also told that if the turbo oil return line is plugged it can cause oil circulation problems, so could that cause the problem I am having???

I am very confused here, and I'm hoping that some of you more knowledgeable than me about engines can help....

Any help/suggestions appreciated.

Thanks,

Shawn

It seems likely to me that if the problem does not disappear after you replace the heads, it could have something to do with oil getting in the PCV. I'm not entirely sure about the routing of turbo oil lines, so I can't comment on that.

Could that also cause the car to not idle half the time???

Shawn

Now, don't get scared. Could be piston rings. At idle, oil seeps up due to low pressure, at higher rpms, the higher pressure keeps the oil out, and possibly some blowby. Does your oil disappear too quickly?

Actually, whats really odd, is I'm not noticing ANY oil loss.

Shawn

Piston rings are not a problem then. You could have an oil restriction somewhere.

And it doesn't seem like it would be anything like piston rings because it didn't smoke at all, and then just started smoking all at once. It wasn't gradual. (which is what makes me think it is a head gasket )

Shawn

Most engines will blow "Blue" at start up due to the piston shape when cold. Most pistons start out "oval" in the bore & "round" out as they warm up.....This is how the pistons are designed to compensate for the heat generated by the engine.

Now blowing "blue" while idling is another matter though. Worn Valve Guides are one cause, worn Piston Rings are another cause too. My guess is on the Valve Guides though due to this particular situation. My basis for this decission? Well since it only blows "blue" at low RPMs, the lower oil pressure at idle will not be able to bypass the piston rings as most of the oil is NOT getting thrown up into the chamber at idle. Also, GRAVITY is at work here with the Valve Guides! In other words, the oil "drains" past the guides & into the combustion chamber. At higher RPMs the oil in the upper Cylinder Head area is being used to lubericate the rockers & therefore doesn't have a chance to drain past the valve guides.

Good call on the cool piston shape. Slipped my mind. I agree it is most likely head related.

I'd go with the valve guides in a heartbeat. Classic symptoms. Your description is excellent, especially the lack of significant oil consumption.