Smokey cold start-up (Moved)

[Matt Harper]

I have a 2007 SRT-8 with 30k miles on it. I've owned it for about a month.
Maybe it's just a cold snap we've been having here in FL for the last week, but I noticed that there is a big cloud of smoke out of my exhausts when I start it from cold. Is this normal?
I ask , because years ago, I had a 5.7 IROC Camaro and a smokey exhaust was the first sign of valve seal failure. My SRT has a warranty, so if there is an issue, I believe it will be covered.
So, normal or not? The car seems very well cared-for, but maybe had a lot of hammer before I got my hands on it. Can anyone advise me please?
Regards
Matt

[stevesrt8]

on most SRT8's this is caused by built up oil in the intake manifold.

A catch can will help, as will an "italian tune up"!

We have very few valve seal issues on stock heads. These motors are nearly bulletproof stock. You may need to change to a less volatile oil if you're getting too much blow-by.

[khaleal]

Mine has just recently done the same thing once the temp in Arizona dipped below 50 degrees, but that has been the only time in 2.5 years....I would not worry about it, unless it becomes more frequent.

[SRT8_T]

in cold weather and most of the time from a cold start, it looks like smoke but its just water vapor from the exhaust almost all cars do this nothing to worry about unless your car is warmed up and smoking.

[mpouls1]

Not to threadjack but speaking of cold weather, when its around 30 or lower when I first turn the motor over it get this harsh sounding whine that lasts for a split second or so. Is that a pulley or the power steering pump? Can't really think of a better description but I'm sure I can't be the only one.

[SRT8_T]

could be the air pump (notr sure if these have them) does it sound like vaccum? or it could just be the starter your hearing. hard to say without hearing.

[mpouls1]

It does not sound like an air pump or vacuum. My old 97 deville had a water pump that went bad and it sounded a lot like it. Not the high pitched whine of bearings squealing. Doesn't sound like a starter either. More like a pulley that is not lubed or something. I really can't describe it. Like when you take a shopping cart wheel and spin it real fast and there is a wobbling noise.

[stevesrt8]

this sounds a lot like oil squirter whine. Only on SRT8's. It has been likened to supercharger noise, but to me it reminds me of a bad power steering pump.

You can change to 15w-50 oil per TSB and see if it changes/eliminates the noise. It only reduced it on mine.

It's normal and is not an indication of impending failure.

[DESIREE]

Originally Posted by mpouls1

Not to threadjack but speaking of cold weather, when its around 30 or lower when I first turn the motor over it get this harsh sounding whine that lasts for a split second or so. Is that a pulley or the power steering pump? Can't really think of a better description but I'm sure I can't be the only one.

Sounds like a diesel air starter? This is a long-time known phenomenon. It's the power steering fluid cavitating upon initial startup. No problem. Proportedly it can be improved/eliminated by changing to synthetic fluid. Not worth the grief.

[EricG]

Valve guide seals are not a known problem for these motors.

I'd look into a weak gasket around the intake for the cause of your oil leak, especially if the car has intake spacers to keep the top end cooler. Even the stock gaskets can fail, apparently they are not very good - at least that's what I heard from a tech at the local Dodge dealer.

I only say this because I had a friend working forever to try to track down his smokey start-up source, turned out it was the gaskets around the intake, but he had spacers. Good luck.

Eric