mysterious white smoke
#1
mysterious white smoke
Im absolutely lost... hoping someone can shine some light on my situation.
I bought my 94 z28 about a month and a half ago, and since then Ive been finding sketchy small things wrong with it that the guy didnt tell me about. Now im worried about the engine being jimmy rigged for him to turn around and sell it as a working car. Now im getting some white smoke and its really weird? Not sure what the problem is, I'm thinking head gaskets but my dad isnt so sure. Heres details:
144000 on original engine
exhaust manifold has a small leak according to mechanic
Got an oil change last week. 10w30 (im in FL and this was recommended)
got exhaust work done last week, ran duals out of my 1 in 2 out muffler. 1 pipe wraps around the muffler, so its about 50% longer. White smoke is only coming out of the left pipe?! This makes no sense considering that its a single pipe back from the manifold.
I took a jar and tried to collect the gas from the pipe, it looks like water. But the right pipe doesnt seem to be blowing any water, just regular exhaust fumes. Doesnt smell abnormally sweet that I can tell.
the other night I blew a tire and lost control of my car, and ran over a curb pretty hard. SInce then ive been hearing knocking from the engine compartment, but I cant really locate it, and its totally irregular. Theres no rhythm to it.
Its about 50 degrees here this week, if that makes any difference.
My radiator fluid is mostly water, and its rusty. Cant be good but not sure how abnormal this is.
My engine coolant is kinda chocolately, if that makes sense. Not really thick, but almost caramel color. Smells kinda...burned.?
Car still idles fine, and I havent gotten it overheated. It stays about 160-180 once its warmed up.
Takes about 45 seconds to start smoking
Any ideas? Im scared to drive it over to the mechanic out of fear of damaging the engine more if thats what the problem is.
Thanks so much guys, for real
Les
I bought my 94 z28 about a month and a half ago, and since then Ive been finding sketchy small things wrong with it that the guy didnt tell me about. Now im worried about the engine being jimmy rigged for him to turn around and sell it as a working car. Now im getting some white smoke and its really weird? Not sure what the problem is, I'm thinking head gaskets but my dad isnt so sure. Heres details:
144000 on original engine
exhaust manifold has a small leak according to mechanic
Got an oil change last week. 10w30 (im in FL and this was recommended)
got exhaust work done last week, ran duals out of my 1 in 2 out muffler. 1 pipe wraps around the muffler, so its about 50% longer. White smoke is only coming out of the left pipe?! This makes no sense considering that its a single pipe back from the manifold.
I took a jar and tried to collect the gas from the pipe, it looks like water. But the right pipe doesnt seem to be blowing any water, just regular exhaust fumes. Doesnt smell abnormally sweet that I can tell.
the other night I blew a tire and lost control of my car, and ran over a curb pretty hard. SInce then ive been hearing knocking from the engine compartment, but I cant really locate it, and its totally irregular. Theres no rhythm to it.
Its about 50 degrees here this week, if that makes any difference.
My radiator fluid is mostly water, and its rusty. Cant be good but not sure how abnormal this is.
My engine coolant is kinda chocolately, if that makes sense. Not really thick, but almost caramel color. Smells kinda...burned.?
Car still idles fine, and I havent gotten it overheated. It stays about 160-180 once its warmed up.
Takes about 45 seconds to start smoking
Any ideas? Im scared to drive it over to the mechanic out of fear of damaging the engine more if thats what the problem is.
Thanks so much guys, for real
Les
#2
Is there a blue tint to the white smoke?
chocolate? Like this:
Sounds like oil is in your coolant and your motor is burning at least coolant.
The smoke will come out of one pipe more than the other. Is it possible that it's light enough that you only SEE it from one pipe?
Sounds like a possible head gasket to me.
chocolate? Like this:
Sounds like oil is in your coolant and your motor is burning at least coolant.
The smoke will come out of one pipe more than the other. Is it possible that it's light enough that you only SEE it from one pipe?
Sounds like a possible head gasket to me.
#3
FormerVendor
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Collingdale Pa
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Is there a blue tint to the white smoke?
chocolate? Like this:
Sounds like oil is in your coolant and your motor is burning at least coolant.
The smoke will come out of one pipe more than the other. Is it possible that it's light enough that you only SEE it from one pipe?
Sounds like a possible head gasket to me.
chocolate? Like this:
Sounds like oil is in your coolant and your motor is burning at least coolant.
The smoke will come out of one pipe more than the other. Is it possible that it's light enough that you only SEE it from one pipe?
Sounds like a possible head gasket to me.
It's more likely to be a head gasket if it is smoking out the tailpipe.
Do a compression on the side it smokes and look at the plugs to see
if they are wet. To verify.
Not recommended to driving the car.Engine can hydrolock.
#5
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#8
Launching!
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Columbus, Ohio
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I had this same problem before, it definately sounds like a headgasket, make sure you check EVERYTHING before you try driving it again because if it is a head gasket it can seriously damage your engine more if you try to drive it. Ex: hydrolock, warped heads