White Smoke, From the exhaust Options

[JoKeRkId613]

I'm worried. white smoke comes out of my exhaust when i turn my car on. what can it be? thanks!

[WannabeGT4]

Searching really isn't that hard.

I'd say valve stem seals. Others will say condensation. It really could be either one.

[mikew04]

White smoke is usually coolant if it smokes after the first few minutes you start it up. Does it smell sweet? Could be a blown head gasket. Valve stems cause oil leaks, and make the exhaust turn blueish gray.

[spunky393]

First answer, how much smoke, and how dense. If it's a good amount and dense, then it's more than likely your head gasket

[JoKeRkId613]

thanks for the responses guys. this is great help. i was just hoping you could provide me with more information on how to check on these items to see exactly what the problem is.

a. valve stem seals
b. condensation
c. coolant
d. head gasket

thanks.

p.s. the white smoke has been coming out for the past 2-3 weeks. i never thought anything of it because i tried the seafoam thing. i thought it couldve been left overs of that... but 2-3 weeks? lol. thanks again guys!

[CelicaST18]

If it is the head gasket, you will probably find oil in the coolant or coolant in the oil. If it was valve guides, the smoke would be blue, and do it all the time (i'm asuming from what you said that it only does it at initial start up) If it is just after start up and it goes away after a minute or two it could just be age. The secondary O2 sensor may not heat up quick enough and it is causing a rich/ lean situation on initial start up. If it is just after you start it and goes away, i wouldn't worry

[Benevolence]

yeah check the oil and see if it is a milky brownish color, if it is then your headgasket it probably blown

[JoKeRkId613]

is the head gasket real expensive?

[LewFX]

mine does the same thing on start-up, particully in the morning and sometimes if the car rests too long...someone told me it had a greenish tint, whats that caused by?

[darksecret]

You haven't run the nitrous yet have you? Usually white means burning lean or water. It's possible that after running the Seafoam it caused a head gasket leak, before running the nitrous I would get the metal gasket anyways, they are about $60 at the dealership.

[darksecret]

mine does the same thing on start-up, particully in the morning and sometimes if the car rests too long...someone told me it had a greenish tint, whats that caused by?
[right][snapback]294446[/snapback][/right]

Do you have a gutted cat, if you do that is why, mine does the same thing but once it is started it clears up. When any car is first started it always goes rich since it injects more fuel before intial start up causing an excess in fuel rich exhaust, the cat clears most of that up, also most don't realize that a cat doesn't actually start working properly until it reaches a proper operating temperature explaining why most inspectors allow the car to run for a minute before testing. I couldn't tell you about the greenish tint, maybe your car has a cold, lol.

This post has been edited by darksecret: Jun 2, 2005 - 3:31 PM

[CelicaST18]

is the head gasket real expensive?
[right][snapback]294440[/snapback][/right]

a head gasket isn't real expensive( $40-$60), but installatiuon is very expensive if you have it done in a shop... i think it can get up to $800+ for installation

[dan4]

yeah check the oil and see if it is a milky brownish color, if it is then your headgasket it probably blown

Right ignore that matey. C'mon lads if your HeadGasket (HG) is blown and that is happening then your car will not smoke. It will only smoke if coolant is getting into the combustion chamber. It will do this through a split between the water jacket and the cylinder. If it is only when you first start your car then ignore it - condensation

Do you have a gutted cat, if you do that is why, mine does the same thing but once it is started it clears up

.

well said, mine smokes a treat when first started now ive de catted

If it continues when warm then you may have a prob....

HG - Test for exhaust gases in coolant....
Valve stem seals - normally when on slowing down in gear and then accelerating again but this is blue smoke normally
Piston rings - mainly blue smoke all the time and loss of power but symtoms of valve stem seals too

test compressions of each cylinder too!

Im dreading any smoke from my gt four when it eventually comes

This post has been edited by dan4: Jun 2, 2005 - 6:35 PM

[LewFX]

mine does the same thing on start-up, particully in the morning and sometimes if the car rests too long...someone told me it had a greenish tint, whats that caused by?
[right][snapback]294446[/snapback][/right]

Do you have a gutted cat, if you do that is why, mine does the same thing but once it is started it clears up. When any car is first started it always goes rich since it injects more fuel before intial start up causing an excess in fuel rich exhaust, the cat clears most of that up, also most don't realize that a cat doesn't actually start working properly until it reaches a proper operating temperature explaining why most inspectors allow the car to run for a minute before testing. I couldn't tell you about the greenish tint, maybe your car has a cold, lol.
[right][snapback]294456[/snapback][/right]

i just replaced stock muffler with a tanabe muffler.

[darksecret]

Muffler wouldn't make a difference the cat makes, I think some new mufflers come with a protective coat that could be burning off making a green tint, just a guess though.

[mikew04]

A blown headgasket can EASILY cause your car to smoke. The exact same thing happened to me with my old car. I used seafoam (not sure if that was the cause or not, but the engine only had 105k on it) and a few days later was blowing white smoke. Did a compression test, was way too low in 3 and 4. Decided my headgasket was blown and went to work.

If you have white smoke well after startup, then check your oil to see if its milky, and do a compression test. If you aren't sure, you should probably take it to a mechanic.

[LewFX]

the head gasket is below the valve cover?

[playr158]

valve cover
valve cover gasket
head
headgasket
block
oil pan gasket
oil pan

[darksecret]

you forgot the pickles

[JoKeRkId613]

darksecret, ure the ****! i was thinking it was that damn seafoam too! anyway, so a new headgasket it is. i think ill just do it myself. lol.