17 replies to this topic

[jonb_5]

Hi,

I am guessing the problem is the valves leaking but just want conformation really.

Under acceleration, about 3-4k upwards there is white smoke coming out the exhaust.

Just wondered what this could be really.

Cheers

Jon

[mini93]

white smoke denotes water...is the cylinder head standard? if not could have broken through to water jacket
Any sign of water leaking into the oil or visa versa?

[jonb_5]

Hi,

No its not a standard head, what do you mean it could have broken through to the water jacket.

There are no signs of significant water loss/ level stayes pretty much contant etc.

Recently done a water and oil change and would have deinately noticed if either had the other in.

No signs of leaks that I can see.

Cheers

Jon

[lvm18]

white smoke is probably water....especially under acceleration (load pressure).

Check head gasket, brass bungs, cracks in head/block in that order.

Cheers,

David

oh and brake fluid levels...check that too if its connected via servo.

Edited by lvm18, 26 July 2009 - 10:30 AM.

[mini93]

Hi,

No its not a standard head, what do you mean it could have broken through to the water jacket.

There are no signs of significant water loss/ level stayes pretty much contant etc.

Recently done a water and oil change and would have deinately noticed if either had the other in.

No signs of leaks that I can see.

Cheers

Jon

well when a head has been ported to a high spec, material is removed, if too much is removed you can break into the water jacket in the cylinder head...but being your saying there's little/no water loss im not sure.
how longs it been doing it? and i guess this happens when the engine's warm still rather than just condensation

[Ethel]

It does suggest the head gasket is blowing between 2 cylinders, the only other possibility I can think of is if the exhaust has picked up water.

[lvm18]

It does suggest the head gasket is blowing between 2 cylinders, the only other possibility I can think of is if the exhaust has picked up water.

Agreed on exhaust. Depends on whether it settles down after a few mins (when water burnt off). If not, look deeper.

Keep a very close eye on water temperature gauge.

[jonb_5]

It has been doing it since I put the engine in really, roughly 6 months.

The longest trip i did was roughly 120 miles and it was still doing i when i was getting towards home so probably not condensation.

Could it be burning oil, even though it isnt black, geryish???

I think the headgasket may be a possibility, would this also cause the engine to be down on power, as its hitting well below what i would expect??

If it has blown, is it dangerous to drive with it like this?

Thanks

Jon

[jonb_5]

Also water temp has always stayed constant, roughly 80-90 degrees, obviously does rise a bit in traffic.

Cheers

Jon

[lvm18]

80-90 degrees is normal. Thermostat is set at that anyway. But I'd still keep a north eye on it.

Personally I wouldn't drive around with a suspected head gasket for long. It will probably get worse and 'may' drop you in the doo dah at the wrong time. Will definitely cause loss o power...as you are running a diluted charge in the chamber.

Water may be tracking under the gasket from water holes to one of the cylinders. I seal all the water holes up under the gasket with a very slight smear of red gasket sealant. When I say slight I mean really slight.

[jonb_5]

Hi,

Is there any way to test if the head gasket has gone without removing the head?

I.e. compression check etc, does this show anything?

Cheers

Jon

[jmetal88]

Yeah, if your compression is noticeably lower in two adjacent cylinders, it's probably blown. Although I had this result on my Mini and it ended up being I just had major carbon deposits on 1 and 4 and a significantly smaller amount of deposits on 2 and 3. I also discovered my head gasket had already been changed for a copper gasket.

[Mr Joshua]

If its doing it constantly since and this is the importsnt bit "fitting the engine" it could be over fueling.

[jonb_5]

O.K.

Got my GF to follow me today in the mini.

I gave her the choice of:

White
Blueish/Grey
Black

She reaconed Blueish/Silver. Which is good for me as its just using more oil and can do the head when planned in a couple of months. It is definately using oil and I havnt noticed the water level dropping.

What do you reacon?

Cheers

Jon

[SMP]

What's the history on the engine?

Blue/grey smoke and using oil is pretty conclusive - it's burning the stuff!

Could be the rings - could be the valve guides - the history might give us an insight but to be honest we'll ll be guessing a bit.

My rule of thumb is if it smokes whilst accelerating it's more likely to be rings, if it smokes when you first put your foot down after decellerating it's more likely to be guides. But there are always exceptions!!

You'll need to look inside to be sure!

Cheers
Steve