white smoke in 2000 Sienna

External Since: Oct 16, 2006 Posts: 3

I bought a 2000 Sienna three years ago at 20,000 miles. It now has
50,000 miles, and literally two days before putting the van on a ship
to move from Hawaii to Texas, it starts spewing white smoke on
start-up. I searched the internet and found out about the online
petition to make Toyota recall these vehicles because of sludge
(gellation?) problems. I don't know anything about cars, and I know
that a little learning is a dangerous thing, which is why I've always
followed the instructions to change the oil, etc., to the letter.

My questions are:

1) What exactly is causing the smoke? In other words, what is sludge,
where does it come from, what does it have to do with oil, and why does
it only happen on start up and during acceleration (e.g., when
overtaking on the freeway, etc.)?

2) No engine lights go on, so does this mean there isn't anything wrong
with the car? (I know, obviously there's something wrong, but if so,
why no engine lights?)

3) What should I watch out for? If the engine is burning up oil, then I
assume I should keep a close eye on the oil level, but is there
anything else?

4) Is it really true that it's okay to drive the car like this? (Aside
from all the dirty stares I get from other drives caught in the goddamn
contrail I leave behind...) Will it really not affect the engine, as
long as I keep the oil levels high enough?

5) If/when I do have to fix this, does it really have to cost $5,000+?
Is there any other way to take care of this?

Thanks,
Marc

External Since: Jun 30, 2006 Posts: 2180

"Marc Adler" <marc.adler RemoveThis @gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1161039045.817410.182560@h48g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
>I bought a 2000 Sienna three years ago at 20,000 miles. It now has
> 50,000 miles, and literally two days before putting the van on a ship
> to move from Hawaii to Texas, it starts spewing white smoke on
> start-up. I searched the internet and found out about the online
> petition to make Toyota recall these vehicles because of sludge
> (gellation?) problems. I don't know anything about cars, and I know
> that a little learning is a dangerous thing, which is why I've always
> followed the instructions to change the oil, etc., to the letter.

I think it is called "oil gelling."

>
> My questions are:
>
> 1) What exactly is causing the smoke? In other words, what is sludge,
> where does it come from, what does it have to do with oil, and why does
> it only happen on start up and during acceleration (e.g., when
> overtaking on the freeway, etc.)?

Without actually seeing the smoke, it is difficult to tell what the cause is
for sure.

White smoke is generally a sign that coolant has gotten into the combustion
chambers.

Blue or blue-grey smoke is generally a sign that the engine is burning oil.
This smoke does tend be more noticeable on startus and during acceleration.

Black smoke is generally a sign that the engine is not burning all of the
fuel entering the combustion chamber.

>
> 2) No engine lights go on, so does this mean there isn't anything wrong
> with the car? (I know, obviously there's something wrong, but if so,
> why no engine lights?)

The "check engine" light is more to warn the operator that an emissions
component is not working properly. Not all parts of the vehicle are
monitored by sensors.

Unfortunately, if clouds of smoke are visible from the tailpipe, then
something is probably wrong.

>
> 3) What should I watch out for? If the engine is burning up oil, then I
> assume I should keep a close eye on the oil level, but is there
> anything else?

Keep an eye on the oil level, make sure it does not take on a milky
appearance.

Also keep an eye on the coolant level, make sure it does not take on an oily
appearance.

>
> 4) Is it really true that it's okay to drive the car like this? (Aside
> from all the dirty stares I get from other drives caught in the goddamn
> contrail I leave behind...) Will it really not affect the engine, as
> long as I keep the oil levels high enough?

The clouds of smoke will not cause you to be stranded on the side of the
road, as long as oil level, oil pressure, and coolant levels are OK,
however, the O2 sensors and catalytic converter will eventually get
contaminated, you will get a check engine lights, and if that happens, the
vehicle will not pass an emissions test.

>
> 5) If/when I do have to fix this, does it really have to cost $5,000+?
> Is there any other way to take care of this?
>
> Thanks,
> Marc

A new engine can easily cost $5,000. If you have all of your oil change
receipts, the car may be covered by a special policy adjustment. Take it to
a Toyota dealer for evaluation.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)