when I start my Sierra I get a puff of grey smoke weather the car is warm or cold,this only happens when I start up,any ideas?

Abu, January 2005

What do you mean grey smoke.Blue smoke at a burst would mean valve stem seals yea.But grey smoke can be caused by water getting on to the pisto i.e conensation or gascet leak.
But lets hope its none of these.But i would not worry about a leak on valve stems as the car will keep going for years as long as you check the oil now and again.Because the bill from the garage would be pretty high compared to the value of the car.

autodoc, February 2005

the valve stem oil seals have gone! they now allow oil to drain into the combustion chambers whilst engine is turned off. when you re-start engine this oil is burnt ( hence the smoke) .
A very common trait. You need to renew the oil seals . A garage will do this WITHOUT taking the cylinder head off!
The new seals will be soft and flexible -keeping the oil away!
It will not mean your engine is Shot! So no major worries, in mean time keep a check on oil level on dipstick. Top up as required.

aries9456, January 2005