Saab: 2005 Saab 9-3 black smoke on Start Up, rich mixture, head gasket

Question
Recently purchased a 2005 Saab 9-3 linear with 101k miles on it. Just inspected...no problems. However, recently on start up it produces black smoke from the exhaust. Only lasts about 2 seconds and then works normally. No check engine light, no other problems at all. Small amount of fuel smell on start up as well but nothing extraordinarily note worthy. Let me know what this could be and potential cost to fix. Thanks!

Answer
Kurt:
 Black smoke on startup suggests a leaky fuel injector or cold start valve which has allowed a small amount of fuel to accumulate in the intake manifold when the engine has sat idle for awhile and thus provide a momentarily over rich mixture.
 If the smoke were white or bluish white, that would mean either a slightly failing head gasket or valve stem seal/guide problem which I doubt you have.
                                    Jerry

As long as the engine runs smoothly and properly, I would not be too concerned. If however, you sense any deterioration, THEN it would be time for a good checkup and diagnosis. If the "leak" were to worsen, eventually you would have a harder and harder problem starting the engine as it would be extremely over-rich.