Blue Smoke from CLK 55 AMG

[AMG Addict]

I have a 2000 CLK 55 AMG done 60,000 miles. It has recently started to emit blue smoke when you first start the car. I havent noticed it at any other time. Is it just some sort of seal or could it be something more "terminal" / costly etc.

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[benzfan]

Normally, that would indicate a small amount of oil is seeping down into the cylinders at rest through the valve guides. The individual valve guide seals are relatively simple for a shop to replace, but I wouldn't expect the engine to show that kind of wear as early as that. However, it depends on the type of seals used by AMG. Usually, seals are a rubber compound and can fail rather quickly sometimes, but I remember building several high performance engines in the 70s with teflon valve seals. They lasted longer with those engines, but always seeped a small amount of oil into the cylinders at rest, particularly as they got older.
What grade of oil are you using? Is it what is recommended for the current conditions? You could try an oil conditioner such as Lucas. I would also recommend a cylinder leak-down check be done before anything to ensure there isn't a more urgent need for work first, rather than relying on canned goods without knowing the true extent of the problem. This test can be done by any competent shop.

 

[AMG Addict]

Thanks Benzfan.

I dont know what engine oil is in as i only got the car in october and havent needed to replace any. Everything just seems to be going pearshaped at the moment - we are expecting twins in 6 weeks and the last thing i need is grief over the car. If its BAD news what could be the implications for cost £4,000??

 

[benzfan]

To be honest, if it is just a puff briefly on startup, I wouldn't worry at all. Try letting someone else drive your car and you in another car behind. Drive in city traffic and watch for signs of smoking after idling for a long time, or just as the car pulls away from a stop, or even as the throttle is shut quickly, but with an automatic, you will seldom see this one. Either of these conditions combined with the startup puff can indicate that the seals are in need of service. If the startup puff is the only one you see, drive the car worry free for a while yet. Use an oil conditioner next oil change. It will likely decrease the startup puff. If the car had been sitting a while prior to you buying it, the seals could be slightly hardened. You wouldn't believe the number of high end classics that smoke with every close of the throttle and on startup. It shouldn't be a pricy job, as the heads do not need to come off. Probably just the cams. Even with my old Maserati, I think the job was only just over $1000, and they were indeed gone.

 

[OlafMaxwell]

Keep an eye on oil consumption. If it is very low then probably not a great cause for worry, particularly if it is only on start up. Top end checks are not over expensive but goin gfurther might be and not evn sure if its economic. More important to watch temperature level and oil pressure. Are they both ok? The mileage is low for there to be any serious problem but maybe car had a hard life somewhere......

 

[stwat]

Overfueling on cold startup can also cause blue'ish/grey smoke. Also known as "over chokeing" in old money.

Stu

 

[LNM]

Ay AY, keep it clean now lads.

 

[stwat]

Ay AY, keep it clean now lads.

???

Stu