Blue smoke on morning start up

[Guerrero]

Jeepwalker I thank you asking if I looked into any of the Colorado forums. I had not. And now that I have I have no doubt that the problem is the baffles inside the cam cover. I read several posts and watched a few Colorado videos in which cleaning the baffles inside the cam cover solved the problem. In one lengthy video the guy removed the cam cover (I'm gonna hate that job) and thoroughly cleaned the port and ran Seafoam through the port several times to ensure the hole/holes in the baffles are open.

So I have some work to do. The one video said I could expect to take about 1 1/2 hours to take it apart and about an hour to put it back together. Knowing my luck this will take all day and probably a few cuts on my hands.

I'll post an update after completion. Which might be a while. I'm in no hurry.

Hey Aridgerunner!

I had a 2006 h3 having a problem of oil consumption, not a problem with smoke

Yes, probably the problem is the baffle inside the cam cover, you need to remove it, previously removing the intake manifold, so assure to buy new set of cam cover gasket and intake manifold gasket to do the job properly

Once removed, clean the baffle really well...the problem is that there is only a tinny hole in the baffle to let the oil drain back when vapors get there...the hole clogged and you have a problem of oil consumption or in your case, smoke (your oil consumption must be crazy, yes?)

You can try to not only unclogged the existing hole but do another small hole close to that one to let the oil drain back into the cam area (dont exactly know this, is only my plan when I had my previous 2006 3.5)

Be careful with the baffle, is only a little metal plate holding in there with some clips I think

Good luck! And tell me something about how is going your oil consumption!

Guerrero

 

[Aridgerunner]

Here's a bit of an update.

Four days ago I parked the Hummer on a part of my driveway that is pretty steep with the front facing down hill. It sat there all night. The next morning when I started it there was no smoke. For the following three days I repeated the process and it doesn't smoke on start up. Apparently doing this allows the excess oil to drain off of the baffles.

So until I can get time to fix it I will be parking over night with nose facing down on the hill.

Almost forgot. I have no noticeable oil consumption (only drive about 20 miles a day) and there is no coolant loss.

 

[Jeepwalker]

Good news. Sounds like progress.
Thx for the update.

 

[Fastsspr]

Here's a bit of an update.

Four days ago I parked the Hummer on a part of my driveway that is pretty steep with the front facing down hill. It sat there all night. The next morning when I started it there was no smoke. For the following three days I repeated the process and it doesn't smoke on start up. Apparently doing this allows the excess oil to drain off of the baffles.

So until I can get time to fix it I will be parking over night with nose facing down on the hill.

Almost forgot. I have no noticeable oil consumption (only drive about 20 miles a day) and there is no coolant loss.

I'm experiencing the same issue with my 2006 H3. I saw a few videos in youtube using a drill bit or compressed air to clean and unblock the driver side cam cover hole. I did both methods and passed 70psi of air true the hole. I heard air all over inside the cam cover and still smoking blue in the morning. I already bought a new cam cover and probably I going to replace it in the new few days.
I going to make the test of letting the vehicle sleep with the 2 back tires a ramps to see if have smoke in the morning. The threat has been very helpful for me and want to share my experience with my h3 to if we can have a successful outcome.

 

[Fastsspr]

I'm experiencing the same issue with my 2006 H3. I saw a few videos in youtube using a drill bit or compressed air to clean and unblock the driver side cam cover hole. I did both methods and passed 70psi of air true the hole. I heard air all over inside the cam cover and still smoking blue in the morning. I already bought a new cam cover and probably I going to replace it in the new few days.
I going to make the test of letting the vehicle sleep with the 2 back tires a ramps to see if have smoke in the morning. The threat has been very helpful for me and want to share my experience with my h3 to if we can have a successful outcome.

Happy new year. Well ended pulling out the cam cover and when look at it had to much sludge in it. I replaced with a new cam cover and gaskets. My oil consumption and smoke in the morning is gone. Now I'm happy with my engine. I worked with my engine temperature and now is running from 165-175 deg. all day long.

 

[Aridgerunner]

I'm glad you solved your problem. I am still parking with then front end facing down hill. It has helped a great deal and I may never replace the cam cover. I will replace the Hummer before I do that. I now have another problem that I will post shortly.

 

[Aridgerunner]

I bit the bullet and paid a good shop to remove the old camshaft cover and install a new cover. Problem solved.

In the pictures below you can see that little hole in the baffle that was plugged. Because it is near the back end of the baffle that explains why parking the car with the front up it would smoke in the morning. Oil can collect there. With the front end facing down the oil runs off.

 

[Jeepwalker]

Very interesting. Glad you got it resolved. Thanks for the follow-up!