18 replies to this topic

[Big_Adam]

Evening,

Well El Gordo seems to have taken up smoking on start up now. I get a nice bit of white smoke from the exhaust on start up. Lasts about 5mins then its gone. I know the cold gives a white smoke look but after she's warmed up there no smoke at all. Nothing, nada. I did think she was running a bit rich El Gordo tends to pop a bit pulling out the drive.

But

I think some of my oil is gone too. Normal oil gives a blue smoke right? Not a huge amount of oil. I did overfill anyway when I changed the head (up to the "x" on max) so all over the max line has gone.

Just a litttle worried about it is all.

Could it be bad?

[Guess-Works.com]

white smoke = water ( or condensation )

Keep an eye on the water level, but I suspect it's just the cold weather and water condensing in the pipe.

[overboost]

If it stops after a few minutes then thats normal...just the cold weather causing it. It probably did it before, but due to the difference in the air density, you couldnt see it before.

[Awlred Drives a Quant]

If it stops after a few minutes then thats normal...just the cold weather causing it. It probably did it before, but due to the difference in the air density, you couldnt see it before.

Or you're more likely to be noticing it now that you're looking for problems

[Big_Adam]

so I should not worry then unless I start seeing white deposits in the oil/water.

Gotcha,

also on a diffrent note should the head be torques to 50 or 55?

[fikus01]

can never remember ahwt the book says but i do 55

[ludsonline]

I have the same problem as this but only on start up. I think it is water collecting because my tailpipe point uphill.

Attached Files

•  DSC00550.JPG   129.76K   6 downloads

[The Matt]

I have the same problem as this but only on start up. I think it is water collecting because my tailpipe point uphill.

Possibly, it could just be because of the time of year and some condensation in yer pipe.

[ludsonline]

I have the same problem as this but only on start up. I think it is water collecting because my tailpipe point uphill.

Possibly, it could just be because of the time of year and some condensation in yer pipe.

Just spoke to a mechanic mate of mine and he said with white smoke on startup check the brake fluid reservoir level, I have and have next to no fluid in there. He says it is getting sucked into the engine and is a common problem.

I have topped the fluid up and will keep eye on it. Does anyone know the cure

Edited by ludsonline, 27 February 2007 - 04:05 PM.

[Jimmyarm]

Does your mate work at Kwik Fit by any chance ?

[taffy1967]

Yes or tells stories on Jackanory?

[Jimmyarm]

As a slightly more useful response, did he mean the radiator coolant ? If this is being sucked into the engine it indicates that the head gasket has gone and coolant is getting into the bores (hence the white 'smoke' which is actually steam).

[TOMMO0302]

Does your mate work at Kwik Fit by any chance ?

lol, could do!

Or, he may have meant dashpot oil?

[ludsonline]

As a slightly more useful response, did he mean the radiator coolant ? If this is being sucked into the engine it indicates that the head gasket has gone and coolant is getting into the bores (hence the white 'smoke' which is actually steam).

http://www.theminifo...showtopic=15265

http://www.theminifo...showtopic=14735


Found a couple of posts here and one of them suggest brake fluid the other says stem seals or head gasket. It has only just started to happen. Ordered a head gasket kit and will change that and the stem seals. Going to go 16v nearer the winter so the current engine and box is only a stop gap.

Edited by ludsonline, 27 February 2007 - 05:04 PM.

[dklawson]

This thread has progressed beyond the point that I can add much constructive but I was going to make the same suggestion that the mechanic did.

In addition to watching the coolant you should keep an eye on the brake fluid. The brake servo has a large vacuum hose connecting it to the intake manifold and when/if the diaphragms in the servo fail along with its seals, you leak brake fluid into the vacuum chamber which is in turn sucked down the hose to the intake manifold on start up.

This isn't a conclusive test, but if you start the car and go back to the cloud and take a sniff... you may observe one of the following three scents. Nothing but normal exhaust smell (prehaps a bit damp) = condensation. A sweet smelling damp exhaust would indicate a coolant leak. Oil smell... valve guide seals. And lastly, an acrid burnt smell different from all the previous would indicate burning brake fluid.