Re: Smoking at start up (archive)

I don't think it's the block ... two reasons. The symptom for the block death is rough
idle that gets worse over a period of time and eventually the car won't start because
of lack on compression. The other is the typical diagnosis for smoke at start up is
worn valve guides. Oil that's collected in the heads leaks down through worn guides
and hence smoke at startup. Worn ring to cylinder gaps will burn oil continiously ion
small amounts leaving a film on the car near the exhaust pipe and getting smokier
over time. A cylinder leak down test will point you to the cylinder/ring or the head
area to confirm the diagnosis. Also a compression test would tell you the condition
of the rings/cylinders and the valves themselves. Vacuum check would let you know
the condition of the valves. If they all check then it's the valve guides.

All,
Anyone have experienced heavy smoke coming out when starting up? It usually lasts about 5 seconds immediately after start, and then disappears. It appears to be blue (I know - not good, indicates oil burning, eh?) The car has just passed 61k, and the mileage appears to be correct. My car has not yet had the nikasil block replaced, and I was thinking (hoping) that the smoke could be an indication of that it'll fail the leak-down test when I take it. Any thoughts/experiences?
Thanks,
Big-T
95' 740i

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