White smoke is usually caused by burning coolant.

 

Hey Abe

How do I fix this??? Any clue?

 

check for cracked/leaky hoses

 

White smoke out of your exhaust menas you are getting coolant into your combustion chamber.....you might have a blown head gasket or a warped or cracked head.....

Check your oil too....if it looks like a milkshake... you have coolant in it ....either from the gasket or head......

to see which cylinder it's comng out of you can run your car from cold for about 2 mins....then shut it off....the start pulling sparkplugs.....whichever one is coated in a white poweder is that culprit cylinder......check to see if more than one cylinder has it though.......it will let you know how bad your situation is and if it's only in one bank or both

either way you will need to get your head gasket replaced and possible your head machined....hopefully not your block

 

SHEIT!!! Just one thing I didn't want to hear!

 

What about valve stem seals guys?? My car is doing it also, I just changed my oil on saturday, it did not have any water in it. The smoke has gotten worse since the oil change though. So are there any other possibilities.

:dodge:Troop

 

I'm not sure whether this will still help, but White smoke out the exhaust can be either coolant/water vapor, or oil. Oil can be white if it doesn't go through the combustion process. If it is an exhaust valve stem seal or a leak on the exhaust side of the turbo it can come out white. Another way to tell is it is a lingering white smoke instead of one that dissepates shortly after exiting the tail pipe.

A good example of white oil smoke is when you spill oil on a hot exhaust manifold, such as when you're adding oil.

Hope that Helps.

Thanks

 

I sure hope so otherwise it looks like you and me troop have another project!!!

 

mine dissapates soon after I see it, whats that mean??

Troop

 

if there is only "white smoke" for a minute when you staart up....it is just steam from moisture in the exhaust system.....not a problem

 

think maybe it's just the car's not being used to the cold weather down here or something Troop??? Mines the same as yours dissepates!!

 

I would say coolant. Are you consuming coolant? Does it just do it for a few minutes in the morning? During this time of year there is condensation in the engine and exhaust which can cause some condensation through the exhaust and can be more noticable when it is colder in the morning, like being able to see your breath. An easy way to test for a combustion chamber to coolant passage Head gasket leak is a "Combustion Gas Leak Detector" that you can purchase from Napa for about $30 Moroso and Mr. Gasket also make this tester. This unit hooks up to your radiator fill opening and tests for combustions gasses that may be escaping through the cooling system. Test takes about a minute and is very accurate. It usses a blue fluid, and when the combustion gasses travel through it, it turns yellow.

Hope that Helps

 

if there is only "white smoke" for a minute when you staart up....it is just steam from moisture in the exhaust system.....not a problem

Well in that case nevermind! Mine just started yesterday! and I bet it was from me washing the car, water probably got in the exhaust area!!!

 

Might have to spend that 30

 

Yeah, its every time I start up though, (and it is only when I start up). Should it do that??

Troop

 

Does the white smoke go away afer the car warms up??
Shawn
91VR4

 

Yup!

 

I would say coolant. Are you consuming coolant? Does it just do it for a few minutes in the morning? During this time of year there is condensation in the engine and exhaust which can cause some condensation through the exhaust and can be more noticable when it is colder in the morning, like being able to see your breath. An easy way to test for a combustion chamber to coolant passage Head gasket leak is a "Combustion Gas Leak Detector" that you can purchase from Napa for about $30 Moroso and Mr. Gasket also make this tester. This unit hooks up to your radiator fill opening and tests for combustions gasses that may be escaping through the cooling system. Test takes about a minute and is very accurate. It usses a blue fluid, and when the combustion gasses travel through it, it turns yellow.

Hope that Helps

Another name for it is called a "Block Tester". What it actually does is check for hydrocarbons in your coolant. It IS very accurate. If you haven't overheated, and overheated real bad at that, then I woulod not suspect head gasket, considering you have an OEM one in right now. The factory head gasket is a very thick, 3 layer metal gasket, which can withstand a good amount of heat.

If you dont want to buy the block tester and check it yourself, most shops will check it for you for approx 1/2 hour labor or around $40 Tell them you want a block test/want to check if head gasket blown. Insist on watching when they do it so they dont try to just sell you a head gasket job you may not need.

Good Luck

 

Does the white smoke go away afer the car warms up??
Shawn
91VR4

I think so, but I am not compleatly sure!!

:dodge:Troop

 

If the white smoke goes away after the car is warmed up sounds like it's just condensation in the exhaust (not a problem at all).Everyones car does this when it's cool out and the car has sat for a few hours.
Shawn
91VR4

 

If the white smoke goes away after the car is warmed up sounds like it's just condensation in the exhaust (not a problem at all).Everyones car does this when it's cool out and the car has sat for a few hours.
Shawn
91VR4

Could also be valve stem seals, my 86 firebird does the same thing on startup, and i know its the valve stem seals, but, im too lazy to replace them.

See if your gas mileage decreases, as well.

 

What's avg gas mileage with 450's in??? I'm running at about 18 mpg right now!!! CITY!!!

 

dreadie,Always been a problem with GM's. I know of 4 different people who also need valve seals replaced besides my 64 Vette

Shawn
91VR4

 

burning coolant/water

 

5 months later!....

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I found this thread. Troop I hope you've found the problem. Now its my turn

My car has been sitting in a parking lot of the auto shop (waiting for a part) for about 3 weeks! Today, I started it up and let it idle for a good 3-4 minutes..(no white smoke). Then I reved it and white smoke came from the exhuast!..I noticed it in the mirror so I got out and stood behind it and white smoke continued to come from the exhaust..not pouring out, just a steady flow. And when I reved it it would come out more. This went on for a while, and after about 8-10 minutes of idling and occasional revs..it finaly went away. No white smoke at all at idle, or when i reved. So I set the turbo timer to 2 mins, shut it off and waved bye.

Is this normal? Is this condensation built up in the engine/exhaust? Is it a bad seal? Normaly I would SOMETIMES have BLACK smoke...at start up and WOT..which means I'm running rich..right? This is the FIRST time I've ever seen any white smoke come from my car. It is very hot and humid here..lots of rain and ocean water (live on an island). Today when I srted the car up it was bout 90+ deg.
Sorry for the long post..just wanted to be as detailed as possible.
Ray


ps. the white smoke had no smell!