Engine
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    car
    truck

    Why Is Blue Smoke Coming From My Exhaust?

    Typical repair cost: $50–$4,500

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    Common Symptoms

    Blue/grey smoke at startup
    Blue smoke on hard acceleration
    Burning oil smell
    Fouled spark plugs
    High oil consumption

    Most Likely Causes

    1

    Worn valve stem seals

    Blue smoke at startup that clears as the engine warms — most common.

    2

    Worn piston rings

    Blue smoke under load — oil getting past rings. Confirmed by compression and leak-down.

    3

    Failed turbo seal

    On boosted engines — blue smoke under boost, oil in intake.

    4

    PCV system failure

    Pulls excess oil vapor into the intake.

    How a Shop Diagnoses It

    1. 1.Compression and leak-down test.
    2. 2.Inspect intake for oil pooling (turbo seal).
    3. 3.Check PCV operation.
    4. 4.Oil consumption test (quarts per 1000 mi).

    When to see a professional

    Worn rings or stem seals can wait if oil consumption is <1 qt/1000 mi; turbo seal failures need immediate attention.

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    Related Engine problems

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    $100–$1800 typical repair
    Flashing CEL
    $80–$2000 typical repair
    Engine knocking
    $50–$8000 typical repair

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