These pictures were taken at startup and typical after a 40 mile freeway drive the previous day. The smoke is worse if I drive longer or let it sit for an extra day. 
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Pics Of My Smoking Av
- Thread starter timcosco
- Start date
Hey Tim,
What is the MFR date for your AV? I have read quite a bit on the PCV valve being the problem for this and once replaced, it goes away.
What is the MFR date for your AV? I have read quite a bit on the PCV valve being the problem for this and once replaced, it goes away.
Sorry to say but you posted some great photos of our AVs at their worst. Keep an eye on the oil use as well. Get your AV to the dealer as soon as possible. Take the photos with you. Good luck.
Tim:
I'll say it again - if you're getting no where with the dealer and Detroit let me know and I will contact Product Management on your behalf. You also have rights under your state lemon law, the BBB, and the attorney general's office.
I would say the condition you are showing is not only not normal but not acceptable. You can't continue to let this roll out as you'll only make it harder. If you've got OnStar go outside, push the button, tell the person on the other side you need to talk to customer support. That is step one --
Please keep us posted and take up our offers to help!
I'll say it again - if you're getting no where with the dealer and Detroit let me know and I will contact Product Management on your behalf. You also have rights under your state lemon law, the BBB, and the attorney general's office.
I would say the condition you are showing is not only not normal but not acceptable. You can't continue to let this roll out as you'll only make it harder. If you've got OnStar go outside, push the button, tell the person on the other side you need to talk to customer support. That is step one --
Please keep us posted and take up our offers to help!
Tim of Co -
Thanks for posting the pics, even if it is of your problem Av your experience will assist others. That Avy smokes like an RM250! (that's a suzuki dirt bike for the non-riders on this board). I have watched this topic closely, it seems like I have an Av that is ripe for the problem (a 6/01 build date and a TX in the VIN seem to be bad signs). I hope you have a positive experince when you seek Chevy's attention to the problem.
-Jackalanche (A CU graduate, I might add)
Thanks for posting the pics, even if it is of your problem Av your experience will assist others. That Avy smokes like an RM250! (that's a suzuki dirt bike for the non-riders on this board). I have watched this topic closely, it seems like I have an Av that is ripe for the problem (a 6/01 build date and a TX in the VIN seem to be bad signs). I hope you have a positive experince when you seek Chevy's attention to the problem.
-Jackalanche (A CU graduate, I might add)
ygmn
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Timk I am sorry but that pic made me laugh....I now know what you mean by smoke at startup.
I have never had wha I saw in your pic.
I truly hope they fix it properly.
Good Luck!!
I have never had wha I saw in your pic.
I truly hope they fix it properly.
Good Luck!!
Hey, thanks for the support guys. I just sent off a letter to my dealership along with the pictures. This is really the first time I've forced the issue in an attempt to bypass the inconvenience of the stupid oil consumption test.
With any luck, the pics will give them the evidence they need and get them working toward a final repair.
FYI: My Av's "born on" date is 08/01 and the 8th character in the VIN is "T".
Tim
I just sent off a letter to my dealership along with the pictures. This is really the first time I've forced the issue in an attempt to bypass the inconvenience of the stupid oil consumption test.With any luck, the pics will give them the evidence they need and get them working toward a final repair.
FYI: My Av's "born on" date is 08/01 and the 8th character in the VIN is "T".
Tim
Hey everyone-
My truck looks just like that! They must be twins. I have 13,000 miles now and there is no end in sight for the smoke. I just went 4200 miles on that last batch of oil and the remaining oil level barely registered on the bottom of the dip stick. I have been to my local dealer twice now and both times they have initiated the ol' oil consumption test. Both times I have been no where near the dealer when I hit the 1000 mile mark. So as you can guess, today starts a brand new oil consumption test! What a pain in the butt!! I am going to start tomorrow morning taking pictures just like you did Tim. I think that will help convince the freakin dealer that the problem exists. They claim they have never heard of an AV with this problem. Bull. I don't believe it for a minute.
Jason
My truck looks just like that! They must be twins. I have 13,000 miles now and there is no end in sight for the smoke. I just went 4200 miles on that last batch of oil and the remaining oil level barely registered on the bottom of the dip stick. I have been to my local dealer twice now and both times they have initiated the ol' oil consumption test. Both times I have been no where near the dealer when I hit the 1000 mile mark. So as you can guess, today starts a brand new oil consumption test! What a pain in the butt!! I am going to start tomorrow morning taking pictures just like you did Tim. I think that will help convince the freakin dealer that the problem exists. They claim they have never heard of an AV with this problem. Bull. I don't believe it for a minute.
Jason
S
shafman1
GUEST
I think that picture ought to convince them. ?Blow it up and bring in the showroom if they don't want to fix it. ?It seems that it's either the PCV valve, a baffle leaking, or new valves. ?That's been the fixes so far that other people have gotten. ?I don't know how long you've been dealing with this problem, but this is plain flat out ridiculous. ?The only way that smoke could be considered normal operation is if you got the mosquito fogger option. ?Hell, I'm surprised someone from the EPA hasn't stopped you. ? 
(From someone else's post on the same problem)
This seems to be a common problem but not on all AVs. Mine started smoking on startup after ~900 miles but only about 10% of the time. It had also used at least a quart of oil. I took it to the dealer and they replaced the valve stem seals. That made it worse. It smoked on startup 50% of the time so I took it back to the dealer within 200 miles of the valve stem seal replacement. This time they replaced the valve lifters. They were putting too much oil in the rocker arm area flooding the valve stem seals and causing the PCV to suck oil into the throttle body to be burned. That was ~120 miles ago and so far no smoke. Only time will tell. Your dealer should know about this problem and fix it quickly as there is at least one TSB on the subject. Good luck.
(From someone else's post on the same problem)
This seems to be a common problem but not on all AVs. Mine started smoking on startup after ~900 miles but only about 10% of the time. It had also used at least a quart of oil. I took it to the dealer and they replaced the valve stem seals. That made it worse. It smoked on startup 50% of the time so I took it back to the dealer within 200 miles of the valve stem seal replacement. This time they replaced the valve lifters. They were putting too much oil in the rocker arm area flooding the valve stem seals and causing the PCV to suck oil into the throttle body to be burned. That was ~120 miles ago and so far no smoke. Only time will tell. Your dealer should know about this problem and fix it quickly as there is at least one TSB on the subject. Good luck.
T
TonkoJ
GUEST
My wife and I saw the photo and at first thought it was our AV. The white Z-71 we purchased in Colorado Springs still does the same thing eventhough an new engine was installed. We've just been awarded more than $35,000 in arbitration for the manufacturer to repurchase our LEMON.
Tim, thanks for putting your information out there. It may keep someone from making a mistake in buying one like I did. Best wishes...
Tim, thanks for putting your information out there. It may keep someone from making a mistake in buying one like I did. Best wishes...
It did... no more oil consumption testing.shafman1 said:
Both the owner of the dealership and the service director called me last week. They've been very responsive and probably didn't know how bad it really was until they saw the pics (the owner even complemented me on them).Got another call today and my Av will go in later this week for a new PCV valve and valve cover baffle mod (add sealant).
After the repair, I'll take the same freeway trip and snap pictures again the next morning... can you stand the anticipation?
Tim,
Has This Ever Been 100% Resolved?
I Noticed My AV, Smoking Just Like Yours Yesterday !!!
After A 200 Mile, Non-Stop Trip, Towing A 22' Boat.......
Has This Ever Been 100% Resolved
?I Noticed My AV, Smoking Just Like Yours Yesterday !!!
After A 200 Mile, Non-Stop Trip, Towing A 22' Boat.......
One of the earlier quotes was from a thread that I have updating on my smoking AV; actually my formally smoking AV. 400 miles after the valve lifters were replaced still no smoke and no oil consumption. (knock on wood or whatever helps) I am not certain what is more troubling, having the dealer mislead you or have a whole new engine installed and still have the smoking problem? For some strange reason I am reminded of an old Navy slogan. It isn't a purchase. It's an adventure.
When I went to the dealer with the smoking AV, I didn't have a picture, which is an excellent idea, but I did have a journal of when the AV smoked and didn't smoke and the oil level readings about every 200 miles. I also had printed out the various threads from several BBs on this issue. (I never used the printout directly with the dealer.) I did not get any run around or double talk, just understanding and action.
What will I do if my AV starts smoking again
Take it right back to the dealer with as much information as I can gether and keep doing it until it is fixed. Gentle pressure applied relentessly....My advice is to do your homework, don't act like a victim and keep at it until it is done correctly. Best of luck and please keep us posted on your progress.
BlackZ71 said:Tim,
Has This Ever Been 100% Resolved
I Noticed My AV, Smoking Just Like Yours Yesterday !!!
After A 200 Mile, Non-Stop Trip, Towing A 22' Boat.......
My Av went in last Thursday... replaced PCV valve with new style "fixed orifice" (smaller hole) and sealed the baffle beneath the valve cover with sealant.
So far, no smoke. I need to take a couple trips similar to yours before posting to the forum and declaring success.
Tim
NO MORE SMOKE!!!
This picture was taken upon startup this morning after a 50 mile, 80mph drive fully loaded and towing a trailer on Saturday and sitting on an incline all day Sunday. A little better, eh?
This picture was taken upon startup this morning after a 50 mile, 80mph drive fully loaded and towing a trailer on Saturday and sitting on an incline all day Sunday. A little better, eh?
congratulations! (fingers crossed)
S
shafman1
GUEST
Glad to see your Avalanche without all the smoke ?
now that you fixed yours, I am going to have to find someone else with a smoking AV to come over and fumigate my front yard.
Mine decided to let a cloud out today. Its been awhile.
I've asked dealership a couple of times but they are not
aware of the PVC valve problem.
Besides smoking does this problem really hurt anything.
About to just leave it alone.
I've asked dealership a couple of times but they are not
aware of the PVC valve problem.
Besides smoking does this problem really hurt anything.
About to just leave it alone.
whvt01 said:
I think jit will hurt the engine and pollution control over time and cost you money. My old '79 Suburban used a little oil, via the valve stem seals and it had to replace the catalytic converter about every 3 years and replace fouled spark plugs, etc. Ultimately a new engine should burn oil, I don't care what GM or Ford say, if it does it should be fixed.
THE GOOD NEWS....I had my AV fixed for using oil and smoking 700 miles ago and so far no more smoke and no oil consumption. I won't declare victory until the after the first oil change but I am optimistic.
B
BENJOHN
GUEST
HI, I JUST GOT ON LINE AND WHAT DO I READ ABOUT ENGINE SMOKING. MINE HAS BEEN SMOKING SINCE I BROUGHT IT IN SEPTEMBER AND IT ONLY HAS 6000 MILES ON IT. IT REALLY SMOKES BAD WHEN IT SITS FOR A COUPLE DAYS. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE CHEVY DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. THEY HAVE DONE AN OIL COMSUMPTION TEST AND THEY SAID IT IS PERFECTLY ALRIGHT TO USE A QUART OF OIL BETWEEN CHANGES. I TOLD THEM I DIDN'T THINK SO AS I HAVE A 1970 CHEVELLE THAT USES LESS OIL THAN MY TRUCK. THEY CONTACTED TECH AND TOLD THEM TO CHANGE THE PCV. BUT THAT DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. IF ANYBODY KNOWS A FIX I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW. THANKS
Go back and read through the thread. It shows before and after pictures and what the solution was. A lot of times it you take it in and let them know what the problem is and tell them you had a friend with the same problem, it'll be fixed in no time.
442
Full Member
I bought my AV back in October and had the problem with oil consumption and smoking on startup too. I reported it to the dealer right away but they didn't know what was wrong and said to just monitor it and see if it gets any better. I took it in for the 6,000 mile checkup back in March and the service rep told me that Chevy put out a tsb on the problem so they installed the new pcv and I haven't noticed any smoke since. This also seems to have cured the oil use problem too. The service rep said they were also having this problem on some Silverado's too.
Just an update:It has been 1000 miles since the dealer replaced the PCV and all of the valve lifters. So far no smoke and no oil consumption and the AV is still running well.
I will wait until the oil change for the next update.
Guess I could provide an update too...
Third oil change was completed today at lunch (6700 nukes). Oil level was around the full mark and not one smoking incident since the fix.
Third oil change was completed today at lunch (6700 nukes). Oil level was around the full mark and not one smoking incident since the fix.