1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Smoking When Cold (future problem?)

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Old Jun 15, 2004 | 09:43 PM
  #1  
Jigapoofy's Avatar
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From: San Diego, CA
Smile Smoking When Cold (future problem?)

When I get in my car in the morning and turn the key there is zero smoke, it starts right up. Sometimes as I'm leaving my driveway I'll get close to stalling (no power when cold). Now I'm driving down the street at about 30-35 in thrid gear and it doesn't smoke unless I open the throttle. And when it smokes it will leave a plume of white smoke trailing behind me for about five seconds.
After a couple of minutes the engine is stong as hell, and it doesn't smoke at all! I always get a loud "pop" when I let off the throttle quickly and shift (Which is kinda cool btw.) Is this a sign of a major problem of the future? I appreciate you reading this whoever you are
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Old Jun 15, 2004 | 10:11 PM
  #2  
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I am SPYHUNTER - I have smokescreen!

Seriously, same symptoms as you, only my plates really do say "SPYHUNT". Cold starting, your oil control seals are not fully expanded against the side housing walls, and thus, do not seal oil bypass from the insides of the rotors to the combustion chambers. As the rotors turn, this oil gets past the oil control seals on the sides of the rotors, into the intake/vacuum side, and gets burned in the compression/power stroke - resulting in your impressive smokescreen.

Some days, my smoking is minimal on cold start. Other days, it's like Hiroshima and I'm concerned that any cop within 2-3 miles is going to be able to follow my smoke trail and tag me.

The only fix thus far is an engine rebuild with new oil control seals on both rotors. If you get it that far apart, might as well replace the full sealing rubbers and if you're going to do all THAT, might as well port, new apex seals, corner seal springs, lightened rotors, turbocharger, intercooler, and... well, that may be a bit much.

In any case, my car has been smoke-screening on cold-start for about 6 months now with no ill effects for power or performance. In fact (get this), I am now getting over 20 mpg on a very consistent basis, which I almost totally attribute to reduced internal engine friction due to bypass oil!

YES! There is an upside to this little problem of yours - no more concerns over cold start oil starvation!!

Nothing to be concerned about. Join the club,

Last edited by LongDuck; Jun 15, 2004 at 10:30 PM.
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Old Jun 15, 2004 | 11:30 PM
  #3  
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From: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
My car smokes on startup on cold mornings, say 5 Celsius and below, but only for a minute. That's nothing to worry about. The real kicker is high RPM smoking. If I hold a high RPM, say 5500 and above for about ten seconds, my car will start smoking a little. If I downshift hard, say to 6500 rpm and then decel, like when I'm taking a sharp corner on a Solo II course, my car will leave a plume of smoke so thick that you could walk on it. I assume that the heavy engine vaccum generated by the hard decel literally sucks the oil past the worn seals.

It's all part of the problem that LongDuck outlined above, but it's really nothing to worry about until the car smokes ALOT all the time. Even then it's drivable and probably will still make good power, but it's a little embarassing.
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Old Jun 16, 2004 | 07:05 AM
  #4  
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From: Kansas City KS
Mine did the same. I changed the oil and used 20w-50 and I will get a small puff every once in a while.
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Old Jun 16, 2004 | 07:46 AM
  #5  
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If it smokes, buy it some patches and the gum.
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