2012 SEL blue smoke from exhaust

[toast1850]

Hello,

 

I have a 2012 SEL with around 12,000 miles and noticed something strange this morning. When I started the car it acted as if it didn't want to idle properly and then a puff of blue smoke came out of both tail pipes. It has never done this before. After about 20 seconds it cleared up and seemed to be ok but also had sort of a burning/foul smell.

 

Had a long 4 day break, and the car was parked in the garage. The temp when I started it this morning was about 30 degrees outside.

 

Would there be anything I could check to see what may have caused this? I'll continue to monitor it and see if it happens again.

 

I appreciate any input or suggestions anyone has.

 

Thanks

[toast1850]

Edit - It's a 2014 SEL, not 2012.

[akirby]

Blue smoke is typically oil which could indicate a piston ring problem. Could it have been black instead? That would be fuel and could just mean a leaky injector.

[toast1850]

Yea it's kind of hard to describe the color. It almost looked like a dark blue/black. It concerned me because I have never seen this before and it acted as if it wanted to die after being cranked but it corrected itself. I had a 2013 SE that never did this when I owned it. If I can get it to reproduce again, should I schedule an appt. with the dealer?

 

Thanks for the quick reply.

[akirby]

In that case I would guess it's a leaky injector. As the car sits it leaks fuel into the cylinder which then burns off when you start it. Should be easy for a shop to diagnose or you can probably find youtube videos on a DIY diagnosis procedure. Should not be too expensive to replace the injector once it's identified.

[WWWPerfA_ZN0W]

Is the 2014 new to you, toast? Is it an Ecoboost or the 3.5L engine?

[toast1850]

Hi WWWPerfA

 

Yes this Edge is fairly new to me I got it back in September. It has the 3.5L with FWD if that matters. I previously owned a 2013 Edge so I'm fairly familiar with most things on the car. I bought it from a Ford dealership that had it certified pre-owned.

[toast1850]

I just spoke with my service advisor and he said it sounded like it may have been left over fuel that the catalytic converter burned off. He said it was anything to be concerned about unless it did it every time.

 

I'll post back if anything changes.

[akirby]

I just spoke with my service advisor and he said it sounded like it may have been left over fuel that the catalytic converter burned off. He said it was anything to be concerned about unless it did it every time.

 

I'll post back if anything changes.

 

Technically that's true but the question is how the unburnt fuel made it out of the combustion chamber. Could be an isolated event but if it happens again especially after it sits for an extended time I would get the injectors checked.

[toast1850]

It's been sitting in the parking lot at work since early this morning and when I leave this evening I'll see what happens and report back. Hopefully it was just a one-off thing.

[akirby]

Could be. Just keep an eye on it. A few times won't hurt it.

[enigma-2]

I just spoke with my service advisor and he said it sounded like it may have been left over fuel that the catalytic converter burned off. He said it was anything to be concerned about unless it did it every time.

 

I'll post back if anything changes.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but arn't cat convertor's 'cold' when you first start a cold car? A hot converter under heavy acceleration will burn off stored hydrocarbons, but cold?

[toast1850]

So just to update everything seems fine and there hasn't been another incident of the smoke when starting her up. It may have just been an isolated issue. Thanks to all that had input on this.

[macbwt]

could have just been oil from the PCV that also was gathered up on the intake valves I see this on the 3.5 when I use the endoscopic camera to check the engine. Most likely scenario.