My 5.4 has been smoking slightly on startup for about a year now. At first I thought it was a head gasket, now im not too sure. There is no coolant loss and it doesn't use any oil. It does have a small oil leak that drips on the exhaust from the back of the motor but its hardly worth mentioning right now. You can smell the oil burning from the exhaust but it doesn't use a drop between oil changes. After you start it up and it runs for a minute or so, the smoke stops and its fine until it sits for a while again. Any ideas? As a side note, has anyone used steel seal or a similar head gasket repair with any luck?

 

the valves are allowing oil to pool on the piston. once you start up this oil gets burned off.

 

I don't believe you don't use a drop of oil between oil changes. EVERY motor uses a little between oil changes. Especially yours seeing how it smokes on start up...

 

Your valve seals are leaking and/or the valve guides are worn. Don't sweat it.

 

It was a figure of speach.....of course it uses some. Just not enough to notice. I've never added a drop between oil changes. Its never needed it.