Smokes on start up

[JollyRoger01]

I'm not sure how known this is, but I recently had a 04 5.3 Silverado at the shop that would smoke on start up after sitting for an hour or more. It would only smoke for maybe 5 seconds (blue smoke). After running a comp test and leakdown everything was well in spec. Checked the PCV and there was some oil in the plastic tube. I pulled the L/S valve cover and checked out the baffle and it was clogged. I was able to clean it out which stopped the smoking! I called my chevy dealer today and out if curiosity asked if they had a problem with this. My parts guy tells me that there is an updated valve cover bc of the problem and his dealership keeps 2 in stock.


Figured I'd try to get this out there and save a few of you some money when another shop tries to pull one over on you and tells you it's valve seals or the engine itself. No, not every case of smoking on start up is the same, but it only takes 5min to pull the valve cover to check.

 

[drowssap]

Thank you very much for the thread. What kills me is that I have an 03' and an 06' and there are different things to look at on both!

 

[JollyRoger01]

Thank you very much for the thread. What kills me is that I have an 03' and an 06' and there are different things to look at on both!

Same boat. I have an 01 and 05. I'm not sure how many years this is a problem for, but I'll ask my parts guy later for more details and the part number.

There was enough crap to fill the small part of a spray can cap. I wish I had gotten more/better pics, but working commission time is money.