My Sidekick 1.6L most times smokes oil at start
up after sitting. The smoke clears in less than 5
seconds of running.

It's used no appreciable oil in almost 1500 miles with
no real noticeable change on dip stick.

I am guessing it is leak down from the valve train?

Are there valve stem seals? If so does have to be pulled
to replace them?

Or is it guides?

Should I just let it go since it's not using excessive oil?

Thanks

Mine did that for years, you can let it go for a while, but
check your oil level every fill up or you run the risk of low
oil, I did it to mine and then it needed a rebuild

Wild

Sounds like the valve seals.

 

My brothers had the same issue, he just dumped in some oil treatment that is supposed to fix the issue.  We figured it was worth testing, if not the engine needed to be torn apart anyway.  But it did work, so now all is well. 

...some oil treatment

What brand?? I've never been a fan of that stuff but I am
willing to give it a go. Can't hurt........ right?

Thanks all

Sounds like valve stem seals.  The 16V seem to be especially bad about smoking for a few seconds after startup.
The head doesn't have to be removed, to replace the seals.  You can use the rope in the cylinder method, to keep the valves up so you can remove the keepers (the valve springs have to come off, to access the seals).
All my 16Vs I have ever had smoked at startup.  I never replaced the seals.  The smoking for a few seconds at startup wasn't a big deal, and it didn't "leak" enough oil to become an issue.

My brothers had the same issue, he just dumped in some oil treatment that is supposed to fix the issue.  We figured it was worth testing, if not the engine needed to be torn apart anyway.  But it did work, so now all is well. 

Yeah Drone, what brand and type?

He should be in town tonight for the boat show.  I am going to ask him then. 

Apparently he did a shock treatment with seafoam.  It gives the instructions on the bottle.  It has started smoking again, but it was fine for almost a year.  Time to start looking for another 2.3 I guess.

I know of a few guys that swear by a heavy dose of Seafoam in the oil, fuel and into the combustion chamber thru a vacuum port, followed by a oil change with cheap as you can find oil of the proper weight. Run that for 5 minutes once at operating temp, shut it down and drain the oil, change filter then a new filter and your good oil. Most also add the Restore oil treatment at this time. It does help restore compression and also makes the seals swell slightly helping with leaky seals.

Some times this works fantastic, other times the engine, seals etc are too far along to be helped much at all, then a rebuild is really called for. Most of these products do help, but they are not a permanent fix.

These types of products should be considered as a way to get a few more weeks/months of life out of the engine so you can start getting stuff together to either replace or rebuild.

Mine 96 Tracker also smokes at start up. the engine was totally rebuilt and the head machined. what can i do to fix the problem?

Well I for one am going to live with mine. I just checked and
after 1700 miles it is only down maybe a 1/4 quart and really
closer to 1/8th.

So even though it smokes for 2 seconds on start, it isn't affecting
running oil consumption.

I installed DIY oil vapor catch cans onto the PCV and the VC breather line. They allow the oil vapors/fine mist to condense and turn back to a liquid state before entering the intake mani. Without the catch cans I noticed the interior of the intake mani on every 16v I have looked at was soaked in oil. This oil follows the course of gravity eventually ending up sitting on the backside of the valve and produce the same symptoms as a leaky valve stem seal.

23$ for the small air seperator filter and fittings

Mine 96 Tracker also smokes at start up. the engine was totally rebuilt and the head machined. what can i do to fix the problem?

That doesn't seem right.  How long have you had it since the rebuild?

maybe 2500 to 3000 miles. my is thinking that maybe they cut one of the valve seals when they put it back together.