Puff of smoke on start up?

[USN_Lifer]

I've noticed over the past few "morning starts" that a decent size puff of smoke belches out of the pipes. It's not blue like smoke caused by oil burn off and it's definately not morning condensation either. Just curious if it could be fuel related. I've always run the 93 octane like I'm supposed to. Thoughts???

[MENINBLK]

I've noticed over the past few "morning starts" that a decent size puff of smoke belches out of the pipes. It's not blue like smoke caused by oil burn off and it's definately not morning condensation either. Just curious if it could be fuel related. I've always run the 93 octane like I'm supposed to. Thoughts???

What year Marauder, and how many miles do you have ?

[USN_Lifer]

What year Marauder, and how many miles do you have ?

'03 with 10,000 miles.

[MENINBLK]

'03 with 10,000 miles.

Are you hearing a tick sound from the driver's side fenderwell while the engine idles ?

[USN_Lifer]

Are you hearing a tick sound from the driver's side fenderwell while the engine idles ?

Yes, it's noticeable under the hood by the valve covers.

I just noticed this post. The first few posts make it seem harmless, but then I read the reply about valve guides...yuck! I hope that's not the reason.
other post (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=859)

[Murader03]

Things to consider.....How noisy is the tapping? Consider that you'll always have some noise from the cams and valves, but not excessive. All the 4-cammers and even some of the two cammers have tapping noise. I owned a '99 Cobra prior to the MM. My vavle noise on the MM was no louder than the Cobra....the Cobra was running strong at 100K when traded.

Are you consumming any oil over any length of time? Again, both my old Cobra, and the MM had the puff of smoke upon startup, on occassion. Neither used any significant amount of oil between changes, which were/are at the 5K intervals. Both were daily road runners that accounts for the high mileage on both the Mustang and the MM.

Points to ponder....

[frdwrnch]

Mine will smoke a little on initial start up at times. I can't really put a pattern to it but I don't have any measurable oil consumption so I'm not going to worry about it unless it changes. I have an '03 w/8500 miles on it.

[MENINBLK]

Yes, it's noticeable under the hood by the valve covers.

I just noticed this post. The first few posts make it seem harmless, but then I read the reply about valve guides...yuck! I hope that's not the reason.
other post (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=859)

That's what I was going to tell you about.
I try not to drop a bomb in my first post.
When you've given enough info to substantiate the condition,
I usually tie it up for you so you understand what's happening.

It may not be it but a sign that it is would be smoke on startup because the misaligned valve
and the worn guide will leak down oil into the cylinder whenever the engine rests.
So if it is only on initial startup and you don't see it any other time,
it may not be worn valve guides.
It could be your engine just starting out really rich for the first startup of the day.

[USN_Lifer]

That's what I was going to tell you about.
I try not to drop a bomb in my first post.
When you've given enough info to substantiate the condition,
I usually tie it up for you so you understand what's happening.

It may not be it but a sign that it is would be smoke on startup because the misaligned valve
and the worn guide will leak down oil into the cylinder whenever the engine rests.
So if it is only on initial startup and you don't see it any other time,
it may not be worn valve guides.
It could be your engine just starting out really rich for the first startup of the day.

I was talking to an owner of a '96 Cobra who experienced the same thing...never did anything about it and never had any damage. I guess I will keep my eyes on it. A little piece of mind is all I want.

[junehhan]

I was talking to an owner of a '96 Cobra who experienced the same thing...never did anything about it and never had any damage. I guess I will keep my eyes on it. A little piece of mind is all I want.

Keep us updated, as I am curious. I've got an 04 with 9600 miles that is exhibiting a ticking/tapping noise from the driver side bank of cylinders, so i'm very curious. It's not consuming a measurable amount of oil, and I don't think i'm getting any smoke on startup..............

[BillyGman]

Things to consider.....How noisy is the tapping? Consider that you'll always have some noise from the cams and valves, but not excessive. All the 4-cammers and even some of the two cammers have tapping noise. I owned a '99 Cobra prior to the MM. My vavle noise on the MM was no louder than the Cobra....the Cobra was running strong at 100K when traded.

my old Cobra, and the MM had the puff of smoke upon startup, on occassion. Neither used any significant amount of oil between changes, which were/are at the 5K intervals.

Now that's some very relavent info, and is what I've been wondering. With all this talk as of late about this ticking noise (which I also have noticed on my Marauder) I was begining to think that this is normal for this engine. And considering your claim about your 99 Cobra which had the same 32 valve configuration as the Marauder does, I'm even more inclined to believe now that we have nothing to worry about unless the noise gets very loud, and can be heard throughout the RPM range. Thankyou very much for that info Marader03.

[Murader03]

Thankyou very much for that info Marader03.

Your welcome. After all, that's what this board is about, owners helping owners, and the experience that we've had with these cars and others. This board is just like a big family. One has problems, we all know about them and try to help.

[TripleTransAm]

I realize that the ticking might not necessarily equate to imminent engine failure, but one look at how the valves rocked back and forth in their guides and how bad they looked on the back sides was enough to convince me I did the right thing last fall (and my 1/4 mile results reassure me as well).

I paid top dollar for this car (rarer up here than in the US) and I'd rather not have it sound like an old leaky smog motor from the 70s with bad valves. it was getting embarassing having others compliment me on the car but then go "what's that nasty ticking from up front?"....
I'll live with the puff of blue smoke at startup (yes, I still have it, but from the passenger's side outlet now), but if this is a high tech modern motor, I'd prefer it behaved like one.

[USN_Lifer]

I fully agree. For the price of these things I would've expected nothing but the best quality. If you could hear your noise outside the car then it's MUCH worse than mine is.

[BillyGman]

Yeah, I fully understand your point Steve. My car isn't that noticeable at all as far as the ticking noise, and infact, some days I can't even hear it.