1989 Ford Probe Blue Smoke on Start

1989 FORD PROBE
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ICUHATN99
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I recently bought a 1989 ford probe gl with 2.2 liter fuel injected engine...the car has 200,000 miles on it ..I was told the top end was rebuilt about 30,000 ago ..but am beginning to dought it!! The car was fine for about 5 days no smoke ..nothing...Then I changed the oil and the next day tons of bluish smoke poured out of the exhaust for about 5-7 minutes then went away....It has done this every day since I changed the oil...if it sits for 5+ hours it will smoke when you start it up.....Then it is gone...once it is warmed up it does'nt smoke at all of what I can tell.....car has tons of power and is very peppy for a high mileage car...I also passed emissions before it started smoking....I put in 2 quarts of lucas oil and 2.9 quarts of 10-40 gtx high mileage when I changed the oil.....thanks for any help...car runs great besides the embarrising smoke...
Aug 19, 2006 at 4:50 PM
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NOS
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
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not sure what oil they had in it before. but the key is what you added. i think you may have had the right idea about supecting the top end deal for one thing doing a valve job on that high a mileage of a car is useless it just doesn't work . it doesn't sound major bud but there isn't anything you can do i about it sounds to me like if it sets awhile it is letting oil pass buy the vavle guides and that is causeing the smoke. it wasn't your changing the oil that did it. i think it was going to do it anyway. just one of thoes freak deals . i would just drive the car till it dies keep the oil changed like you have been and wnd watch the oil level. (NOS)
PS the only thing you can do, and it is a lot of expience is pull the head off put valve guides and seal in and you will still have a 200 thousand + motor
Aug 20, 2006 at 4:27 AM
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Suggested Repair

Startup blue smoke after sitting is consistent with oil passing worn valve guides and seals, not the oil change. Keep driving it, change the oil regularly, and watch the oil level. The only real repair is removing the head and replacing the valve guides and seals, though the high-mileage engine will remain worn.

Conversation Summary

A 1989 Ford Probe GL with a 2.2L engine and about 200,000 miles began blowing bluish smoke for several minutes after sitting, then ran clean once warm and still had good power. The owner noticed it after an oil change using Lucas and high-mileage 10W-40. The expert said the oil change did not cause it and that oil is likely leaking past worn valve guides. Advice was to keep driving, change the oil, and monitor the level; a head job with new guides and seals is the only fix and is expensive on a high-mileage engine.

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