Occasional blue smoke upon start up w/ 5.7L?

Start changing your oil every 5000 miles if you don't now. Possibly the beginning of a stuck oil ring. Mine blew a little smoke also. Then I put an oil flush in and now change the oil every 5000 miles. No smoke since starting this. Most of our trucks meet the severe duty maintenance cycle that is in the owners manual.

 

Yeah, I have been since new. But for the first few years it wasn’t getting many miles on it. I’ll just start keeping an eye on it.

 

May want to try a flush then right before your next oil change. Hope it resolves for you.

https://www.amsoil.com/p/engine-and-transmission-flush-flsh/

 

I was thinking the same. I'm using HPL 5W20 right now. It cleans really well on it's own. It could be the temperature flux's we've been having in the Chicago area. 30's one day, 60's the next. That with a bit of thicker oil may be contributing.

 

Reading another thread, now I'm overthinking. I did an oil change not long ago, added the appropriate quarts, never checking the dipstick. Fast forward to a month ago, I get a hair up my ass to take a look at the dipstick and it's bone dry. I start worrying and thinking back to never seeing the gauge low. So I add until I get a reading. Could it be there is too much in there now?

 

From full mark down to not touching the dipstick is a difference of 3 qts or so. You leaked or burned three quarts since your oil change?

 

Blue smoke on start is most certainly an indication of worn valve stem seals. On any engine.

 

Yeah, without a spec in my garage. And I added what the manual said. I'm thinking of just dumping it all and starting over. I've read on here that the dipstick isn't necessarily accurate.

It's only happened twice. Last time was Saturday. Since then it hasn't happened. Just keeping an eye out.

 

to be fair, you never checked the dipstick after filling it at your last oil change. Maybe you only put a 5qt jug in?

 

Be sure your truck is dead level when checking the oil. Just the slightest grade will throw off the readings badly. My driveway can swing it from low to full based on how I park. I have to pull it into the garage to get an accurate reading.

 

I had similar issue and back in Sept-2024, I installed J&L catch can. Before I did, I remove the PCV value and cleaned it. Months later, I notice very hard start in the cold mornings and did other research and replace PCV due to it may be stuck open. It appears my theory was correct. With 128k on my 2017 Tundra Platinum, when you shake the old PCV it didn't move much. Of course the new one does. I started my truck in 32 degree weather, it appears no more hard start but also blue smoke again. I will monitor over the next few days to see if everything got out of the system where it shouldn't be.

I have to say on my 2006 Tundra that I had, I've had less issues. But still loving the 2017.

Again to my dismay, I saw a youtube video and this dude was talking about Flex Fuel and non Flex Fuel. I thought I had non-Flex but finding out now that it is Flex Fuel. ;-(

Still no E85 for me!

 

What is your oil change interval?

 

Every 5k.

Changing the PCV worked!

 

Have 2018 tundra, 44k. Just blew puff of blue smoke. Dealer maintained. Headed to appointment now.