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my 89 accord with carb, idles very low and poorly when cold and emits blue exhaust smoke only at this time. Idle stabilizes when car warms up or it is a warm day out. Has 200,000 + miles.I replaced egr valve and cleaned carb with carb cleaner spray. Checked all visible vaccuum hoses.Help please.Thank youTim
Country: United StatesMake: HondaModel: AccordYear: 1989Engine: 2.0 carb Already Tried: new egr valve, cleaned carb with carb spray, checked vacuum hoses, new air filter, gave tune-up with plugs, wires, cap, rotor
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Good morning Tim. Blue smoke is normally oil related. Have the valve seals or piston rings been replaced yet?
no
only happens when cold weather, car is cold. if warm out, car starts ok with no real problem
Ok. If I had the car in my shop, I would run a cylinder leakdown test to check the piston rings. If this were ok, I would replace the valve seals. IT sounds as though oil is seeping into the combustion chamber which would cause the rough idle and smoke unil it all was cleared out.
...and this will happen more when cold
is there an aftermarket fluid to pour into oil to slow or fix this situation
What oil weight are you using?
10/30 high mileage valvoline, oh i did get he oil pump replaced the end of last summer, don't know if that has any effect.
No, it wouldn't unless the oil pressure ran low which would excessively wear the rings. Step up to 20w50. Its a little thicker and wont hurt anything. It may keep the oil from seeping into the cylinder walls.
its getting cold in NC, into teens at night, keep car in garage but still cold.
you sure 20/50 ok in winter? how about using Lucas oil stabilizer too?
Yep. I feel your pain. Im in East Tennessee...pretty cold here as well.
i am starting car now to see if i need to add anything else
Yes. It wont hurt anything. With 200k, the engine is looser than when new. This will compensate for the thicker oil. Lucas is good stuff.
only 35 degrees today, car started ok and is putting out white smoke,
\not thick just "smokey"
i bought an idle stop solonoid and can't even find the old one. should i return the part
White smoke is usually antifreeze. Has your antifreeze level been getting low?
dont smell like it
let me look
Those solenoids never go bad. Even if it was, it wouldnt cause the smoke. It located on the rear of the carb.
radiator is full at the cap, resevoir looks empty
oh, the oil level doesn't seem to go down. it is at the full mark. wouldn't the level decrease is oil is seeping past bad seals?
I would do a cylinder leakdown test...this would determine the source of the problem. Sounds like you may have a leaking head
gasket or cracked head
yes it would.
can that test be done with engine warm?
Needs to be done while cold...since this is when the problem occurs.
. also, how much is involved in doing the valve seals? Is it job for a A"do-it-yourselfer'?
No, not at all.
It needs to be done by a pro. If not, you could cause major damage to the valves.
Thanx, wasn't gonna try Wrapping up. I am going to try thicker oil (the level is a tad below the full line). Going to fill antifreeze resevoir and watch level. Other than that, there is nothing I can do at the amateur level.
My pleasure. Good luck with this. Try to stay warm.
Experience: 26 years experience