blue smoke on cold start up

[gmore]

I had the same issue with my fx45 at around 92,000 miles.
Blue smoke every start up
I had the dealer do a leak down test for me cause it was still under warranty
numbers came back with under 2% pressure loss on all cylinders.
Now leak down tests can never show valve seals so when I got the truck back I drove it for about 50 miles or so then parked it.
The next day I removed the intake manifold to find oil pooled up around the top of a few intake valves but there was also oil in the manifold
So I removed I removed one exhaust manifold and found no oil on the exhaust valves which lead me to believe there is an issue in the pcv system.

The first thing I did was add a full bottle of seafoam to the oil and I drove the car for about 2k miles and changed the oil
Then I did the Seafoam treatment on the intake manifold and added one bottle to a full tank
At around 175000 I deleted the pcv all together no catch can just open crankcase with filters
I am now at 183000 miles and I have no blue smoke

the seafoam in the oil also remedied the chain slap noise
Every other oil change I add a bottle of seafoam to my Mobile1 synthetic about 2k miles before I change the oil and filter
the isopropyl alcohol and other additives break down carbon build up with ease.

when I drop my oil pan and replace the valve cover gaskets in the spring I will show you pics of how clean this beast is with this many miles on it.
I will also post pics of my compression test results

I have found that if you are near the end of your warranty the stealerships try to convince you nothing is wrong
but when you bring it in for an oil change after the warranty expires they tell you, you're gunna need a valve job and a new timing chain.
Don't ever believe their crap until you figure it out for yourself.

Any write-up or more detail on the PCV delete?
My FX45 blows blue every morning but no real use of oil or running issues. Planned on trying the catch-can and then found this post.
Any info appreciated - Thx

 

[FxMike]

Hey have 68000+ on mine and just noticed mine do the blue smoke on startup. Not all the time just rarely. Is this issue more during the colder weather or when it sits awhile at first? I use the Rotella 5w-40 cause I saw some of the other guys with 45s say it helps with the oil consumption issue.

 

[gmore]

Hey have 68000+ on mine and just noticed mine do the blue smoke on startup. Not all the time just rarely. Is this issue more during the colder weather or when it sits awhile at first? I use the Rotella 5w-40 cause I saw some of the other guys with 45s say it helps with the oil consumption issue.

I switched to R T6 5w40 and no real difference - 110K miles on mine and was blowing more and more often on start-ups especially after a more aggressive drive the previous day. I installed a catch-can on the pvc and it helped a decent amount(maybe 50%) and it does need to be drained fairly often. Had recently 'built' a Subaru turbo that was on a true synthetic Amsoil break-in oil w/o issue but had the same(blue start-up) issue after I switched to R T6 5w40 - I installed a 'full' bypass(catch-can) on pcv and valve-cover vacuum lines and problem solved. I understand R T6 to be an excellent oil(and will still use on my Subaru) but as I understand it(no expert here) even though its called a 'full' synthetic, its still a modified oil product and will burn blue if it gets into your intake - a 'true' synth like Amsoil(it's a clear red) should burn clean. The FX45's been great and if I were to keep(wife wants a smaller suv), would try a full bypass and am pretty certain it would fix the issue. Note: if a true synth fixes the issue you will probably still be burning oil so check often.
Blowing blue could be other things(valve seals, ringland) but with 68K if running strong, probably the beginning of a pcv/vacuum line issue and if mild, an oil like T6 may help and won't hurt - a good 1st step but my guess is in time, you will probably have to pursue something like a catch-can - good luck!

 

[FxMike]

I switched to R T6 5w40 and no real difference - 110K miles on mine and was blowing more and more often on start-ups especially after a more aggressive drive the previous day. I installed a catch-can on the pvc and it helped a decent amount(maybe 50%) and it does need to be drained fairly often. Had recently 'built' a Subaru turbo that was on a true synthetic Amsoil break-in oil w/o issue but had the same(blue start-up) issue after I switched to R T6 5w40 - I installed a 'full' bypass(catch-can) on pcv and valve-cover vacuum lines and problem solved. I understand R T6 to be an excellent oil(and will still use on my Subaru) but as I understand it(no expert here) even though its called a 'full' synthetic, its still a modified oil product and will burn blue if it gets into your intake - a 'true' synth like Amsoil(it's a clear red) should burn clean. The FX45's been great and if I were to keep(wife wants a smaller suv), would try a full bypass and am pretty certain it would fix the issue. Note: if a true synth fixes the issue you will probably still be burning oil so check often.
Blowing blue could be other things(valve seals, ringpland) but with 68K if running strong, probably the beginning of a pcv/vacuum line issue and if mild, an oil like T6 may help and won't hurt - a good 1st step but my guess is in time, you will probably have to pursue something like a catch-can - good luck!

Yeah engine is strong. Could it be the start of valve seals? Heard about catch cans. Are they easy to install?

 

[myl168]

i recently switched to full synthetic. haven't seen the blue smoke like i used to..

 

[gmore]

Yeah engine is strong. Could it be the start of valve seals? Heard about catch cans. Are they easy to install?

Valves always possible but doubtful with your mileage and no easy way to check that I'm aware of - 1st step is check pcv/vacuum lines/intake and see if there heavily 'oiled'.
If you're mechanically inclined, catch-can is not a very difficult 'mod' with basic tools - good to research the variety of cans available.
Sorry, no longer have pages bookmarked but I recall a write-up or 2 on a FX45 catch-can. Google words like 'fx45 catch-can, pcv-bypass' etc or with 'm45' instead and you should find some write-ups.

 

[FxMike]

Valves always possible but doubtful with your mileage and no easy way to check that I'm aware of - 1st step is check pcv/vacuum lines/intake and see if there heavily 'oiled'.
If you're mechanically inclined, catch-can is not a very difficult 'mod' with basic tools - good to research the variety of cans available.
Sorry, no longer have pages bookmarked but I recall a write-up or 2 on a FX45 catch-can. Google words like 'fx45 catch-can, pcv-bypass' etc or with 'm45' instead and you should find some write-ups.

Actually I replaced both pcv valves 3 months ago when I first bought it. Also did the spark plugs too. So the pcv valves and plugs are new. Pcvs didn't look gunked when I took out the old ones. And old plugs had some carbon buildup on some of them but color looked decent around the electrodes. I could post a pic of the plugs. I used the Denso iridiums as replacements.