White smoke on start up 89 caprice


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White smoke on start up 89 caprice

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jesse1981
New User

Apr 19, 2010, 5:50 PM

Post #1 of 6 (5182 views)

White smoke on start up 89 caprice	Sign In

Hello everyone, my question is about a 1989 chevrolet caprice classic. It has a 307 V8 166 k miles on it does not leak any oil or smoke from engine compartment at all everything is pretty dry and looks pretty good. The problem im having is when I start it up I get quite a bit of white smoke out the exhaust, it goes down right after start up only to where you can barely notice it but when I hit the gas while it kicks out a little then it goes away goes away I just wanted to know if this sounds like a head gasket job and if anyone would know what head gasket jobs go for on these older chevy's . A friend of mine said its typical start up for these older chevy's Thanks for the help all.

Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Apr 19, 2010, 6:25 PM

Post #2 of 6 (5178 views)

Re: White smoke on start up 89 caprice	Sign In

I suspect it is gray smoke rather than white. That is typical valve seal oil consumption. It's pretty common on the Chevy V8s. A valve job is the only thing that will clear it up and with the high mileage on the lower end, that wouldn't be recommended.

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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.

re-tired
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Apr 19, 2010, 6:45 PM

Post #3 of 6 (5173 views)

Re: White smoke on start up 89 caprice	Sign In

HT is correct . Doing the top end (valve job) only will increase compression and suction (vacum).Oil will stop going past the valve stems and start going past the rings . You may be able to decrease the smoke a little by taking off valve covers and cleaning gunk from top of heads and ensuring the oil return passages are clear . You could also replace the valve stem seals only and slow things down a bit .BUT, Doing stem seals while head is still on eng is kinda tricky for diy'er. Screw up and the valve drops into cylinder and head has to come off.. SO just do the cleaning bit and wait till overhaul as recommended by HT.

LIFE'S SHORT GO FISH

Tom Greenleaf
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Tom Greenleaf profile image

Apr 20, 2010, 12:49 AM

Post #4 of 6 (5165 views)

Re: White smoke on start up 89 caprice	Sign In

What's the VIN engine code on this engine?

E = Chev 305

Y = Olds 307

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Not many Olds put in Chevs but they did. I found most common leak but you can see it is the intake manifold on Olds and valve seals on the Chev would be oil puffs common to those.

Is it using antifreeze?

If unsure as to what engine the Olds water pump is unique to Olds and Chev to Chev at a glance.

Both would be called 5.0 liter but Olds engine water pump would look like this....

Outlet up top goes directly to thermostat housing via very small hose and metal off thermostat housing. Chev block won't have that,

T

re-tired
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re-tired profile image

Apr 20, 2010, 9:17 AM

Post #5 of 6 (5154 views)

Re: White smoke on start up 89 caprice	Sign In

Right you are are again Tom.The oil fill tube was also a givaway . As a matter of fact there was a class action lawsuit by disgruntaled die hard olds owners that always bragged how much better their ROCKET 88 307 was to a lowly 305 cheby. Of course(most) mechanics knew the game for years .

LIFE'S SHORT GO FISH

Tom Greenleaf
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Apr 20, 2010, 9:48 AM

Post #6 of 6 (5149 views)

Re: White smoke on start up 89 caprice	Sign In

Some of us "chronologically challenged" folks remember some of the engines by CID and which division made them at a glance. When I saw 307 the later ones were all Chevrolets. Chevrolet sure did make it's own exact 307 but much earlier than '89. They were putting that Olds 307 in the full size Cadillacs (RWD) too around then!

Tom

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