I have a VR V6 done 131,000 k's and it is blowing blue smoke on start up and when left idling for a while ie: at the lights etc and then you move off and blue smoke comes out of the exhaust! once underway all is good. plenty of power and no smoke at all. could this be valve stem seals and if so are they easy to replace in the vehicle? and the best way to go about it ? thanks any help will be greatly appreciated.
Blue smoke on start-up is a sure sign of worn or hardened valve stem oil seals - but the smoke after idling for a while could also mean worn rings despite your low mileage. Unless you do the work yourself replacing the seals requires removal of both heads and is a big job to replace a $10 lot of seals....maybe upwards of $800. Some mechanics can replace them without removing the heads and its also possible to do it yourself this way - then the only cost is a set of seals. (you use either compressed air in the plug holes to hold the valves up or use a bent rod thru the plughole to hold the valve up) But unless its really bothering you I'd just switch to a heavier grade of oil which will reduce the problem. No harm can come and the cost has some attractions. Good Luck.
