Puff of smoke

[1999salvage]

I get a puff of smoke when I start if it sits for 2 days or so. I have lost .5 of an inch of antifreeze in 3000 miles or it was just cold today. All my fluids are fresh and maintaining levels. 1999 with 130k. Thinking of putting that blue devil stuff in? Any one ever use it?

 

[BrianSD_42]

Independent of whether or not pouring "Blue Devil Stuff" stuff into your engine is a good idea, what real symptoms are you having?

Puff of smoke is not a very strong symptom in my opinion. It may be a precursor to some future problem but what is actually wrong right now?

* CEL is not on or flashing
* No loss of power
* No significant loss of fluids

Even if you had symptoms you would want to isolate the problem before you start changing things up and pouring risky fluids into your engine.

 

[Mellemel]

I had this a few months ago, I'd been out once maybe 2 hours previous, it was a very hot day, maybe 30c + usually mine starts first time, but this day it didn't catch first time for some reason, on the 2nd attempt I got a puff of white smoke, I think from the unburnt fuel from it not catching on the first try ! The engine was already hot. Never done it again.
The only stuff I ever put in my tank periodically is Wynns injector cleaner.

 

[KidVermicious]

Thinking of putting that blue devil stuff in? Any one ever use it?

That'd be a last resort, if your motor is on it's last legs and you desperately need to buy a few more miles before you can afford to replace it. I definitely wouldn't add any of that crap to an otherwise normally functioning engine.

A "puff of smoke" could be caused by a lot of things, and it could mean nothing at all. Do a compression test - if your compression is good, your coolant and oil is good, and the motor isn't making funny noises, then don't worry about it.

 

[1999salvage]

Thanks for the info. I will continue to monitor and steer clear of the devil. :fishing: