Lots of Smoke when I start up

[Pauldb]

I bought a 93 4cyl Automatic MX3 a while. It had been through a lot. It needed the Head gasket replace which I did when I first got the car, but then I had to let it sit for a few months. Now that I’m starting to drive it I see a lot of smoke when I start the car up in the morning. Did I miss something? Or does it just need to be driven more after major work.

[Casino]

smoke coming out from under the hood ?

[Pauldb]

Sorry no coming from the tail pipe. It looks like I may be burning oil or something. As I said I replaced the Head gasket and then the car sat for a few months. I would start it like once a week just to let it run, and it would always smoke a lot. Now that i'm starting it ever day i'm still getting a lot of smoke. Not as much, but more then I want.

[Marlon]

let it run for a long time
moisture builds up

[Pauldb]

Yes but would it build up that much everynight? I blows alot of white-blue smoke. Very thick, It looks like i'm at a rock concert for the first few minutes.

[Marlon]

ohh blue smoke isn't good at all
i thought it was just white
take it back to the place that did the head gasket

[guyaverage]

Ya blue smoke no good. Before the head gasket was replaced did it overheat? The block or head could have a hairline crack, or whoever did the headgasket may not have checked the block or head mating surfaces to make sure it is completely flat (within specs, that is). Could also be you have a bad valve guide/seal or two letting oil seep past into the cylinder. Could be several things actually. I agree take it back to the person who did the head gasket. Blue smoke is a bummer.

[Pauldb]

It did over heat, and I replaced the head gasket. Everything looked good, clean and smooth. Did not see anything. How would I check to see what the problem could be?

[guyaverage]

How bad did it overheat? Hairline cracks can be VERY hard to see sometimes. Most that I personally have ever found have been between the valves. You can pull the plugs one at a time in the morning (or before you start it that day) and see if one or any have oil on them, that would indicate oil seeping past the valve(s). Checking the head gasket would involve checking for bubbles in the coolant while the engine is running, having the coolant tested for exhaust gases (need a test kit for that), or having coolant in the oil or oil in the coolant. Checking for head or block warpage can only really be done by removing the head again.

[ryanlindenberg]

it's probably your valve seals. my mom's 626 does it really bad but only in the summer because the oil is thinner. i see you live in LA where it will probably happen to you year round. my dad started putting straight 50 motor oil in the car for the summer and it doesn't do it anymore.

[Pauldb]

Thinks, I bought it very cheep with the blown Gasket, So i really don't know how bad it over heated. Sounds like i may be SOL though.

[Pauldb]

Ok guys something else I noticed. The smoke has a very strong Gas smell. Any reason why it would have that. Usually when your burning oil, it has little to know smell right? Any help wouold be great.

[Som1Dies2Nite]

How often do u refill with oil?I have a mitsu eclipse that burns oil and i notice that i have to put oil every other week.If it smells like gas,Then that would be from your engine ruuning rich and not able to burn your fuel.Check your plugs and see if there chaulky black.