smoky exhaust

hollym · #1 09/08/06, 01:54 PM

What does a billow of whitish smoke from your exhaust mean? I just got a rebuilt engine put in the car and it is doing this whenever I am stopped and take off.

Thanks in advance!

hollym

wy_white_wolf · #2 09/08/06, 02:19 PM

Burning oil when high in intake vacuum. Most likely a bad intake valve seal. Did the knurl the valve guides or replace them when they rebuilt the heads.

Beeman · #3 09/08/06, 04:44 PM

What make, model year and engine size? Why was the engine replaced?
White smoke is usually either antifreeze or trans fluid, Bluish smoke is engine oil, black smoke is too rich of a mixture.

How long has the engine been in the car? Did it do this from day one or did it start suddenly? Is this a reman engine with a warranty? If so any smoking issues should be covered after evaluation by the shop that installed it.

hollym · #4 09/08/06, 06:10 PM

Engine was replaced because other engine had a rocker arm bracket break, the valve cylinder rotated and formed a burr and it wouldn't come out of the cylinder head. My friend/mechanic knew about an engine on a totalled car that he got for me for $250, so it was easier to replace it. I had a lot of issues with the other engine anyway, leaking rear seal, other seals, loss of power and compression, etc.

Engine has been in car for about six weeks. Yes, it's done this off and on since day one, I had an oil change at 500 miles, but they guy put in 5W30 and my mechanic says he should have used just 30? Not sure what the deal is on that.

It's a 1993 Mercury Tracer wagon, 1.9 engine. Other than this it runs really well, I like the new engine a LOT! I just want to make sure that I'm not doing something negative to it by driving it. My commute is about 70 miles round trip per day.

Thanks a lot for your input! Is an intake valve seal a big deal to replace?

hollym

Beeman · #5 09/08/06, 06:41 PM

Have the fluids been checked and have any needed topping off? If it's burning oil there would be a drop in the oil level. For $250 I would just let it smoke a little if it's not using an excessive amount of oil, if it is oil it's using.

danb98577 · #6 09/09/06, 08:30 AM

Holly-Keep an eye on the coolant level. When the engine is cool, remove the radiator cap and clean the cap with a rag/towel. Look at the coolant in neck of radiator. If you notice oily residue check this for a while. Also check the oil dipstick for any signs of "beading" from water/coolant mixing with the oil. Sounds like a leaking head gasket may be the culprit. Not tragic if that is the case. Keep an eye on temperature indicator.
That 1.9 is a tough little engine-this was a used engine I gather? It could have been run hot and messed up the gasket-hopefully not the cyl. head. Might have your mechanic check the torque on cylinder head bolts to make sure they are all up to spec-it is not unheard of to leave one or two looser than they should be. Luck-Dan

Herb · #7 09/10/06, 02:44 PM

When does it so this? Does it do it at cold startup? Does it do it constantly? Does it quit when the engine reaches operating temp?

hollym · #8 09/11/06, 01:17 PM

Cylinder head gasket is brand new.

Herb, it does it at start up and when I am sitting at lights for very long. More pronounced at start up.

Yep, I will just keep an eye on it and change the oil a lot. It is running well, so this is a treat for me. Thanks for all the information!

hollym

agmantoo · #9 09/11/06, 02:06 PM

If the vehicle were mine, I would put a container of Barr's leak to the radiator as insurance. Only a couple of bucks. Even new car manufacturers add stop leak at the factories.

mightybooboo · #10 09/11/06, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agmantoo

If the vehicle were mine, I would put a container of Barr's leak to the radiator as insurance. Only a couple of bucks. Even new car manufacturers add stop leak at the factories.

Also a problem on certain Subarus,they make a stop leak that seals head gaskets and it works,I think its around 30-40 bucks at Subaru dealers.

BooBoo