Toyota Repair: Toyota Sienna smokes when started, ted ritter, head gasket

Question
Mike,

I can't pin down a pattern but my '98 Sienna makes a rather large cloud of white smoke when started occasionally.  It seems to happen only when the engine is cold, but even then doesn't happen every time.  It's definitely not just moisture, like you might see on a cold/damp day, it's smoke.  I'm pretty sure it's not burning oil, because I change it myself and it's rarely down much even after 3000 miles.  Plus the oil looks clean.  It also doesn't use any coolant.   I noticed someone else asked a similar question on this site, answered by Ted Ritter and he said the vehicle does not have a history of Head Gasket issues, but that question was asked in 2004 and I wondered if an issue with this car has developed since or if you have any other ideas what might cause it to smoke on startup?  I did buy the car used, so even though I baby it as far as maintenance, who knows what the previous owners did to it.  Also, this started within the last month, so do you think I should take it into the Toyota dealer immedeately or can I wait until the next time I have it in the shop for something else?

Thanks,
Steve  

Answer
If its white smoke for sure, then its water or coolant.
Mark the resevoir with a magic marker. If its using coolant youll see it drop.

If there is a blue tint to it then its oil.
They are not know for headgasket problems.
They are know for oil gelling if the oil is not changed, but you seem confident that you have serviced it regularly.
What happens is the oil gells up in the valve covers and lays there. The pcv sucks it up before it can drain back down to the oil pan and whala, smoke.Only takes a small amount to smoke.

I would have it checked by the dealer if its still under warranty.

Take it in as soon as practical
Mike