I have a 1968 VW beetle that smokes when you start it. What causes this.?

Question

There is a big puff of blue smoke when the car is started. This only happens after the car has been driven and warmed up. What might cause this?

Answer 1

Most answers are close. It is not un common for older beetle engines to do this. However beetles do not have valve stem seals. The valve guides are worn. What happens is the guides and heads are different metals and heat at different levels so when you drive for a while and the engine heats up the very small gap opens between the guides and the heads and the car burns small amount of oil that you do not see. Over time it will get worse and you will see it all the time. You see it when you start up because the oil pools up when the car is shut off and burns it when you start up.

Answer 2

Very common problem. Most of the smoke you are seeing is from the oil dripping off the rocker arms, down the valves and into the combustion chamber. Your oil collects in the cylinder until you start the engine. If you find yourself adding more than a quart of oil for every 1000 miles, strongly consider getting an engine rebuilt. Truth is, your always burning some oil. However, you notice your blue smoke during startup. Don't get frightened. The VW is the easiest motor to rebuild.

Answer 3

Do what miatalise12560 says. I wore out a copy of that book. It is better than the factory manual and very user friendly My 70 super beetle did the same thing, it was a valve guide. I have been a GM tech most of my life and have worked on about everything, but Beetles are not cars, they are living beings,(somewhat like small children) and need tender loving care.
USE CASTROL motor oil, it is good for air cooled engines.

Answer 4

easily vws are heat autos as long as u have the warmth exchangers and that they are under pressure out finished open or the cables nevertheless artwork precise, it rather is a typical concern for the warmth interior the rear holes under the lower back seat to soften something plastic, shoes, cd circumstances, etc. as for the windshield fogging be sure you cope with the interior with anti fog and the exterior with rainX, they used to sell particular lexan products that went over the defrosters on the decrease corners of the windshield, im particular u could make sum honestly, then stumble on a blower fan that makes the air bypass greater clever to the defrosters, frequently each and all of the ducting is rotted or bumped off, so it cant artwork in any respect if it dont get there... additionally the front floor vents would be blocked with stainless tape, tinfoil, although u can as long because it wont soften from the warmth and that will strengthen sum of the stress to the front defroster vents...

Answer 5

Worn rings letting oil seep by into the combustion chamber. Also could be running a little rich on fuel. The combination will cause a bluish smoke.

Answer 6

blue smoke is oil burning. More than likely the engine could use an overhauling. It's lasted a long time, obviously, and those VW's leaked oil brand new.

Answer 7

Could be the distributor timing. Also check your plugs to see if they are too "cold" or too "hot" Someone may have replaced the sparkplugs with ones that will "fit" rather than the ones that should be used. You should be able to find a couple VW repair books in Barnes and Noble or any good book store. Good luck

Answer 8

If the smoke is white or bluish in color it is the valve guide seals leaking, assuming that the smoke goes away after a min.

Answer 9

1968 Vw Beetle Engine

Answer 10

You r valve seals are shot. You need a valve job. After your engine heats up these rubber o rings are letting oil seep past the valves into the engine