Date:         Mon, 14 Jan 2002 21:06:51 -0500
Reply-To:     Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject:      Re: Blue smoke at start-up
Comments: To: "Kris S. Seago" <KSeago@MAIL.UTEXAS.EDU>
In-Reply-To:  <B868E77F.229E%KSeago@mail.utexas.edu>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

Blue Smoke is usually a sign of oil burning. Since it is occurring
during acceleration, it may be due to a bad intake valve guide or
missing valve stem seal. Are there any heavy carbon deposits on the
spark plugs? If so, that may be the suspect cylinder. Remove the intake
manifold from the head and look down. If there is an oil film in the
intake port, then you are sucking oil down the guide. Also, what
viscosity oil is being used? Too light will increase the consumption
here. Excess oil will also destroy the Catalytic converter. Also, make
sure the crankcase is not overfilled.

Dennis


-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Kris S. Seago
Sent: Monday, January 14, 2002 8:53 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Blue smoke at start-up

Hi all,

The patient: 1984 original 1.9L water boxer. 116K miles. One cylinder
head
replaced approximately 5K miles ago.
Symptom: Occasional heavy blue smoke when pulling away from a cold
start.
Not while idling, not while "revving it up" in neutral. Only
occasionally,
and only while pulling away in gear. The smoke disappears after 30
seconds
or so.
Diagnosis? Troubleshooting suggestions?

Thanks in advance,

Kris S. Seago
1984 Wolfsburg Westfalia "Kelso"