smoke out the exhaust days after rattling noise

[lifespeed]

A few days ago I started the car after sitting unused for three days. It made a loud rattling noise. At the time I just assumed all the oil had drained out and I needed to install a Motorcraft filter with anti-drainback valve.

This afternoon I started the car and got lots of blue smoke out the exhaust for 20 - 30 seconds. This is a new development. Coincidence, or the dreaded dropped valve seat due to poor cooling design? No, I don't have the rear head cooling mod. I have not since heard the rattle, but assume it could reappear at any moment.

How do I diagnose? Leakdown test on the rear passenger cylinder? At 100K miles is it worth repairing the engine, or is the cost close enough to the price of a new engine I may as well just replace it?

This is a sad day in Marauderville. :(

[a_d_a_m]

I thought the '04s were supposed to be better with the cooling?

Anyway, on my '03, when the cooling issue reared its ugly head (pun not intended), the valve seat dropped, forcing the valve to crash into it and eventually bending the valve. Prior to this I heard ticking (that's the valve against lowered seat). Then that sound went away for a day or so, then it started running rough (which is what happens when the rocker flops out of place and lands in the back corner of the head). At this point I had zero compression on #8, confirmed by leakdown test with air coming out of the exhaust pipe.

I never had any blue smoke, though I know some people have had that issue as well.

[lifespeed]

I am not aware of the cooling differences between '03 and '04. Doesn't mean there aren't any, I just don't know.

I do know the onset of the blue smoke was pretty sudden. I would have noticed if the car smoked at startup during the past 5 years I have owned it!

[a_d_a_m]

Is the car still running somewhat strong (i.e. not stumbling)?

[guspech750]

If I recall, blue smoke on start up is pretty common on quite a few people's Marauders. And they have not had any mechanical issues.


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[lifespeed]

Is the car still running somewhat strong (i.e. not stumbling)?

Yeah, it runs fine. But this is a pretty serious symptom, IMO. At a minimum it means worn valve guides and/or seals, which pretty much mean your cylinder heads are on their way out.

[lifespeed]

If I recall, blue smoke on start up is pretty common on quite a few people's Marauders. And they have not had any mechanical issues.

Blue smoke on startup IS a mechanical issue!

[guspech750]

Blue smoke on startup IS a mechanical issue!

That's what I always thought. But many claim they've had it for years with no issues.

Weird.


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[justbob]

If I recall, blue smoke on start up is pretty common on quite a few people's Marauders. And they have not had any mechanical issues.


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DTR + 4.10's + Eaton swap = Wreeeeeeeeeeeeeeedom

It's a Marauder thing.. Mine has puffed blue off and on since new like most everyone else's. Gives it character. :)


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[capt512]

My old 03 puffed blue smoke since day 1 when it left the factory, the 03 I have now does blue smoke maybe once a month.

[MM2004]

I agree with the other folks on the blue smoke at startup being common.

My '04 has done it several times since new, and with very low miles.

A couple times, it rattled like hell for a few seconds, then went away as well as the smoke.

Currently, I have 43,xxx on the clock and hasen't done it in about a year.

With that said, it'll do it next time I fire her up.

;)

Mike.

[boatmangc]

My old small block Fords and Chebbies all had bad valve seals, a little smoke on startup and nothing else for many tortuous years of abuse.

Do a leakdown test and screw a mechanical oil pressure gauge in it before you hit the panic button.

[montyd]

my 03 smokes every time on start up. i thought it was because it needed the oil catch can to be installed into the pcv system?

[lifespeed]

Do a leakdown test and screw a mechanical oil pressure gauge in it before you hit the panic button.

Yeah, this is the first time I've ever seen anything resembling smoke. I'll have to talk to my therapist about adjusting my meds.

There was a really high dew point the other day when I started it. It was probably just an unusual weather-related cloud of steam.

It has not used excessive oil, so not a lot of other valve guide-related bad signs.

[Vortech347]

Smoke on startup is the seals. As long as it goes away after 2-3 seconds its OK. When they fail the car does a james bond smoke screen.

I would recommend doing a compression check. Its easy to do and you'll find it out pretty quick if you have a bent valve or not.

[jimbok1951]

Never heard that before, any truth to that ? I know with all the knowledge out there sombody knows, always thought common problem to 03 & 04.

Thanks

[lifespeed]

Never heard that before, any truth to that ? I know with all the knowledge out there sombody knows, always thought common problem to 03 & 04.

Thanks

Supposedly Ford made a running change between '03 and 04' to improve rear cylinder cooling. Due to the realities of consuming existing inventory, the passenger side was updated before the drivers side.

The claim is the improved castings are painted blue somewhere to distinguish them from the '03 and earlier casting.

At least, this is what I have read on the internet.

[Marauderjack]

Mine has done it since brand new......if you start the car just to move it and it stays in Open Loop (Rich) then turn it off......your next start-up will look like you are sprayin' for BUGS!!:eek:

You are OK if the rattlin' stops and does not return other than momentarily at start-up.......using a MotorCraft filter helps A LOT!!:beer::bows: