For the past year, I've been using Mobil 1 for my 01 Max. I've noticed when the car starts, blue smoke comes from the exhaust every now and then. The car has 35,000 miles and I change the oil every 3,000 to 4,000 miles. I had the same thing happen on my 96 Max at about 50,000 miles, only I used dino oil with that one. Does this sound familiar?

The only thought I have is the valve seals are affected some how. I find it hard to believe that both Nissans created blue smoke at sart up when the mileage is low and the oil is changed so frequently.

 

Im thinking its your piston rings and blow by.

 

If it was bad rings then it'd be burning oil all the time. What happens with valve stem seals is that when they get old and harden they allow oil to leak down into the cylinder and then it just burns off when you start up. They don't leak while running because they soften up with the heat I guess.

My old 90 Camry had this problem, but not until like 180,000 miles. We talked to our mechanic about fixing it but he said it wasn't hurting anything and probably wouldn't be worth it to fix. All it does is look a little funny.

Now on an 01 Maxima with 30,000 miles, that's freakin ridiculous. That should be covered under warranty for sure as those seals, if that's what it is, are clearly defective. Even on a 96 Max with 50,000 it's ridiculous too.

 

I agree it's not harming anything. There's no way it should b happening at such a young age though. I'd say it's time to face the dealer and make them fix it.

 

I have a 95 GLE and have 136,000 miles on i started my car and my brother told me he saw some blue smoke i have done a search and I think it's the valve seals if this is so how can i replace it