How much is too much?

[Walluski]

Greetings,
When I start my 72 Series 3 2+2 from cold, I always get some light gray smoking out the tail pipe. It lasts for about 3-4 minutes, getting progressively lighter until it stops. After that, the exhaust is clean (at least to the naked eye). Other than that, the car runs well and sounds good.

In the cold weather, I also get lots of steam and moisture (see photo) that carries black residue to the ground.

I'm guessing this means that I'm burning oil somewhere but is it worth worrying about? I realize this is symptomatic of some problem, but I'm not a mechanic and before I spend a small fortune on new valve guides or piston rings, I need some sense of proportion.

Thanks in advance for your advice.
Mark

[christopher storey]

That is not oil burning ( which produces blue smoke ) and is nothing to worry about . It arises when the hot gases impinge on the cold exhaust system ,the water vapour within them immediately condensing on the metal. Gradually as the system warms the condensate is expelled along with a degree of carbon which is the black you can see

[malcolm]

I always get that. If I park stern to my daughters house, she puts cardboard behind my car so I don't cover her walls. I always feel sorry for people who park clean cars tight behind me on a ferry on an overnight crossing!

[Woly64]

Same for me - discovered the hard way when moved to a new house with white painted wall on the drive and next to the garage!

[Walluski]

Thanks all.

I'm filling a swimming pool with everything I don't know about E-Types.

Thanks again
Mark

[malcolm]

Mark, I've stopped worrying about exhaust gunk and just keep an eye on Oil pressure and oil consumption.