Is the van parked on a hill or side incline? Could be oil getting past
the rings. If not, could be oil getting past the intake valve guides.
Heavy gray smoke is oil. White smoke could be coolant getting through
head gasket or cracked head.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Lee Kouns
Sent: Tuesday, May 24, 2005 3:00 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Cause of smoke upon startup after van sits several days?

Hi Listees,
I'd appreciate your ideas on what might be causing the smoke that I get
when starting one of my vans after it has been sitting for several days.
The smoke seems heavy, but lasts for no more than 15-20 seconds.  I'm
not sure of the color of the smoke, but I don't seem to be losing much
oil or any coolant (I use the blue stuff). If I drive the van every day,
I don't notice any smoke problem. A recent compression test I did gave
results that are within the minimum standards as found in Bentley.
Approximately 90K miles on an original engine.
    Anyone had similar symptoms and determined the cause? Would an
emissions test help determine the cause?
Thanks for your input,
Lee Kouns