1992 Chevy 1500 6cyl. Automatic

GILBERT011

MEMBER
1992 CHEVROLET TRUCK

Last friday I noticed that my truck emmited a white/ slightly grey cloud of smoke throught the exhaust. This was at start up. I then went to check the exhaust tip for any deposits of sute, but it was clean (not black on my finger tips). So I reved it up a bit to see if some more smoke would come out, just a bit more came out, then when I took off it went away. While driving it does not smoke, but if I park it for a couple of hours and then go to start it, it smokes again just like I mentioned before. I hardly don't use this truck, I just have it as a back up vehicle. When I got it 3 months ago I replaced the pcv valve, o2 sensor, plugs, plug wires, belts, belt tensioner, I changed all the fluids and oil, new filters, radiator flush. I even had the engine bay degreased. Then I just had it sitting there up until 9 days ago. My mechanic cousin says it could be some bad pison rings that are letting oil seep in. Any clarification on this would help. Thank you.

gilbert alvarez
odessa, tx

2 Replies

MIKEYBDMAN

MECHANIC
623 POSTS

Sounds to me like your valve seals are starting to leak a little. Smoke on start up and then goes away while driving is a sure sign of this. The fact that the truck sit more than it is driven could have lead to this condition.
The solution is two fold. Dont do anything, and I doubt it will burn enough smoke to even make the oil low between oil changes.
Replace the valve seals. All you will need is an adapter to allow you to pressurize each cylinder. A spring removal tool, and new set of valve seals.
Remove both valve covers, and valve lifters. Pressurize one cylinder and remove the springs. Replace the seals, lube well, and reinstall the springs.
CAUTION! Do not remove the springs without the cylinder pressurized. If the valve falls into the cylinder, you will need to remove the head to reinstall it.