B757 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 162; Flight Crew Total 13500; Flight Crew Type 1191
Confusion
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Aircraft; Human Factors
After a normal takeoff the tower advised us that our right engine was smoking. All our indications were normal. We got a clearance to level off at 5000 feet and began circling. Initially my plan was to return but since we were 20;000 lbs above our maximum landing weight and (no dump capability) I changed my mind.After having a Flight Attendant look out the window and confirm no smoke; we then were able to get ATC to route [another aircraft] over the top of us twice to visually inspect the engine. (again; no smoke) I tried relentlessly to get a phone patch with dispatch and neither SatCom nor VHF would work. Eventually via ACARS I had them call us and we talked. We climbed to 36;000 feet at max continuous thrust and no abnormal engine indications or smoke were observed. We flew to [our destination] and landed uneventfully.Mechanics said it was probably overfilled with oil and I tend to agree since it ran six hours and never came off 21 quarts.
B757 Captain reported being informed by the tower that right engine was smoking during takeoff.