Technical Blue smoke on cold start after head gasket change - valve stem seals?

[PuntoEnthusiast]

I am once again in need of your collective wisdom. After a seemingly successful head gasket replacement our 1.2 8v 2000 Punto is increasingly billowing clouds of lingering blue/grey smoke after a cold start. It doesn't smoke when hot.
From reading these forums I gather that it could be the valve stem seals (should have replaced them when the head was off....)
Should I first do a compression test to exclude other possible causes?
And any ideas why this happened after HG change? Just chance?

 

[Ziggy122]

Blue = oil

If its just on startup suspect valve stem

All the time - blown rings


A compression test will never hurt - but wont tell you 100% if its valve stems just a nore likely culprit

Also ensure the breather pipe is clear

Ziggy

 

[s and b]

sounds like oil dribbling down the valves whilst parked

 

[PuntoEnthusiast]

I'm assuming I have to use a new head gasket and bolts? Or is it possible to reuse the head gasket?

 

[judderbar]

I'm assuming I have to use a new head gasket and bolts? Or is it possible to reuse the head gasket?

You can do the valve stem seals without taking the head off by feeding nylon rope into the cylinder and then compressing the nylon in the cylinder with the piston. The springs are not very strong on these small cars.

The video guy is not using any special tools. The photo shows a simple alternative easier way to do the job once you have the rope in the cylinder.