I was wondering if anyone knows what causes my 3.5 v6 motor to blow smoke from the tail pipe after it has been running idle for a few minutes? I was waiting for my wife to come out of a store and it had to have been a good 15 minutes and when it was time to leave the engine blew smoke from the tailpipe (white/blue in color). I stopped to see what it was and it's oil for sure ( not a sweat smell). After a minute or so it stopped but I'm worried it's a sign of bigger problems. I had the motor completely rebuilt 15000 miles ago at the cost of 5500.00 dollars and don't want to spend that kind of money again!!!
Please Help!!

You'd better head on back to the rebuilder and ask some questions and expect some answers.... sounds like rings or valve seals.... probably the latter... maybe he didn't recondition the heads.

Frank

Not good news. Check your reciept and see what was rebuilt especially:

Valve guides, piston rings, head gasket, block...someone here may be able to pinpoint you a little better answer.

Yeah, the bad part is the work was done over a year ago and I only had a one year warranty on the motor after the rebuild. The shop machined the block and replaced the waterpump, timing belt and tentioner, and the plenum was replaced, the crankshaft bearings and all associated parts were also done but no mention of the heads being done. I mean everything was replaced right down to the starter and the alternator was even rebuilt!! I think I might have the valves done next and hope that cures it!! Any more sugestions or ideas? It still has plenty of power and I haven't had any other problems beside a leaky oil cooler return line!! Any one thinking Valve guides?

go figure... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> do a search... kidding. lemme guess a blue/gray smoke? if thats the case get your heads done.

How many miles you got on that rig anyway? Also, what was the motivation for doing $5500 worth of engine work? Was there an existing problem or preventative maintenance? Doesn't make any sense to me to do all that engine work and leave out the most common reason why these rigs need engine work in the first place (valve guide seals). Your engine guy should have known this.

Better plan on another $1K to fix your current problem.

I have 209,000 on the speedo and it runs as good as new except for the smoke!!! I had a mechanic look at it and he says the valve guides are the problem. I got the truck for 400.00 dollars and it wasn't running because of a bad crankshaft. I went to buy some high mileage oil and I hope this helps a little until I get the valves done. thanks for the help everyone!!! I will post some picks of it soon.

I have a 91 that had the same problem. Had the valve guide seals done and the problem remained! Turned out in my case I needed to replace the heads. Once that was done all was fine. You might want to do a cost comparison between just the seals and doing the entire head job. At that many miles, it might be better insurance to do the whole job, especially if you hope to keep her going.

Does anyone know if there is a way to determine if the engine needs just the seals done or needs more extensive work?