Hi, I'm new and I have a quick question.....I've haven't driven my 89 vette for approx. 4 months. and it's just been sitting in the driveway. I started it up and everything was fine, in fact it started right up with no problem. I let it idle for approx. 5 mins. and white smoke started coming up from the exhaust manifolds. I looked and didn't see any oil leakage around the valve covers. It smells like burnt oil....the oil pressure is great around 58 at start up. My question????? Does oil seep down somewhere in that area when the car sits for an extended period of time? I not a great wrench but I can work/figure some things out, Thanks

 

I have aftermarket valve covers**cheapies** and they seep oil around on the **header** piping and it does burn. Maybe thats your problem. Also it most likely could be moisture built up in the exaust pipe and the hot air is burning it. So I would let it idle for about ten minutes and rev it up a bit and see if it still continues. Did you check your oil dipstick? No leaks huh. Hmmm. Hopefully you figure it out. FYI dont overtighten valve covers or they will crack/bend.

 

white smoke generally means coolant is burning. oil burning is usually blue in color.

 

If it is coming from the exhaust manifolds in the engine compartment, then you valve covers are leaking. Cork gasket get old and brittle after a time and will leak where you can't see. If you have access under the car, look up at the manifolds and around oil pan to look for leaks. []