2003 4runner smoking on long steep hills

[utahjeff]

I have a 2003 4runner. 206K miles and have never had an issue. Changed the oil as recommended.

Yesterday on a day trip, I saw light blue smoke coming out of my exhaust one two occasions. There was no power loss or check engine light. It was 111 degrees out. Both times were near the top of very long and steep hills on the highway. Both times, I was passing slower vehicles. I was hitting the gas pretty hard.

The first time I saw it, I stopped immediately.but by the time I got stopped and out of the vehicle... No smoke. The second time, the smoke stopped just after I crest the hill. This was a 5 hour drive with a lot of hills and these were the only two times I saw smoke?

I have driven the vehicle on the freeway today at 80 mph for 30 minutes and all was well.

I need to make the drive home tomorrow and I'm worried if the vehicle will make it.

I would greatly appreciate any input.

Thank you in advance.

Jeff

 

[Rocket61]

I have a 2003 4runner. 206K miles and have never had an issue. Changed the oil as recommended.

Yesterday on a day trip, I saw light blue smoke coming out of my exhaust one two occasions. There was no power loss or check engine light. It was 111 degrees out. Both times were near the top of very long and steep hills on the highway. Both times, I was passing slower vehicles. I was hitting the gas pretty hard.

The first time I saw it, I stopped immediately.but by the time I got stopped and out of the vehicle... No smoke. The second time, the smoke stopped just after I crest the hill. This was a 5 hour drive with a lot of hills and these were the only two times I saw smoke?

I have driven the vehicle on the freeway today at 80 mph for 30 minutes and all was well.

I need to make the drive home tomorrow and I'm worried if the vehicle will make it.

I would greatly appreciate any input.

Thank you in advance.

Jeff

Blue smoke means you're burning oil. Sounds like a worn piston/ring.

This is the first time I've heard of a 4th gen burning oil!

 

[utahjeff]

Thank you for replying. Should it be safe to drive it home?

 

[JEL]

Whether it's safe or not is going to hard to tell online, what engine? Could be an aberration, how was the oil level and what type are you using (correct weight)? Be sure to look around for oil that may have spewed out. Also, when was the last time the PCV valve was changed, if ever? I have heard of clogged PCV valves (IE never being changed at high mileage) causing blue smoke, but I have never experienced it myself.

 

[utahjeff]

It is a V6 engine. Toyota dealer does all my oil changes, but I am not sure of the oil they put in. There is no visible oil when I look at the engine. The oil level is 100% full. The smoke lasted about 30 seconds both times.

I have never changed the PCV valve.

Could a compression test tell me if it was a worn ring?

I have done all oil changes as scheduled since I bought it.

Thank you for your input.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

I think the problem is 206k miles. You should be happy that is all it is doing.

 

[JEL]

I think the problem is 206k miles. You should be happy that is all it is doing.

It is a 4runner, my 3rd gen is close to that and drives/runs as good as new, I'd be disappointed if it doesn't go well past 300k, along with my 4th gen.

In any case, you can try starting at the PCV valve, it's cheap and easy enough to change (google where it is for more details, but it's threaded on the driver's side near the firewall). Compression test can indicate whether you have worn rings, but when my old car had worn rings it was smoking all the time.