white smoke

[balactm]

my mr2 is blowing white smoke out of the exhaust. does anyone know any possible problems that might be happening? if it helps, the spark plugs are black from something (they're brand new though). I'm about 99% positive it's coolant, i just don't know why it's coming out of the exhaust. could it be that there is just some extra sitting in the exhaust manifold or something?

[Dave]

white smoke is usually coolant. It's possible there some burning off your exhaust manifold, though it shouldn't take long to get rid of. More likely is that a gasket has given up somewhere and is allowing coolant to get into the combustion chambers (i.e. blown head gasket).

[D_Eclipse9916]

^^^^ ding ding ding

Do a cheap compression check, if that comes back good, do a leakdown test.

[.RJ]

Does it smell like coolant?

[balactm]

"More likely is that a gasket has given up somewhere and is allowing coolant to get into the combustion chambers (i.e. blown head gasket)."

I already changed the head gasket.

where do you get a compression check done? and what's a leak down test?

[Ryan T]

I've got a compression tester. We can get together tomorrow and check it if you want. I live in squire hill.

[balactm]

i don't even have the car with me. it's back at home.

[Ryan T]

Where is back home?

[CaptainHenreh]

I already changed the head gasket.

Why did you change the head gasket? Did it blow? Did this all the sudden happen, or has it started and gotten worse?

Coolant is getting into your combustion chamber, and there aren't too many ways it can get there.

[Dave]

"More likely is that a gasket has given up somewhere and is allowing coolant to get into the combustion chambers (i.e. blown head gasket)."

I already changed the head gasket.

where do you get a compression check done? and what's a leak down test?

How come you changed the head gasket?
When you did, did you torque it down to spec? Did you re-torque it after you had a few hours of driving time on the new gasket? If not, your new gasket could be the failure.
As DJ said, a compression and leakdown test will give you a bit more info on what's going on.

[ScottyB]

what these guys said.

maybe the gasket went on in a different orientation then it's supposed to?

[balactm]

the gasket already blew, and so i had to change it already. i put the gasket on the same way the old one came off (there is really only one way to go on) and torqued it down to spec, although, i haven't gotten it back running yet, so i haven't re-torqued it because the white smoke started pouring out as soon as i got the engine timed. oh, and home for me is in sterling, VA. if coolant is getting into the combustion chamber, is it possible that a faulty thermostat gasket could be doing this or is it strictly the head gasket?

[Maengelito]

did the head warp after the previous HG blew, or did you have the block milled?

[BLINGMW]

you could be REAL lucky like me and have a cracked block :evileye:

[balactm]

the hg blew, but i was told it was only slightly cracked so the head never heated up so much that it warped a lot. but, i still had it milled down. so either way, the head should be flat and the hg is brand new, and the torque is to spec. how can i tell if the block is cracked? could it be a valve sticking? or bad piston rings?

[.RJ]

I'd try re-torquing the studs, in sequence - try to run the engine for a few minutes if you can, keep a close eye on the temp gauge. It could be coolant still sitting in the exhaust or cylinders - I assume you changed the oil with the head gasket?

When you pulled the plugs out were any of them very clean or white? When coolant burns off it will usually take the carbon deposits with it.

[HAULN-SS]

When you pulled the plugs out were any of them very clean or white? When coolant burns off it will usually take the carbon deposits with it.

oh rearry?

That almost sounds like not a bad idea to throw a few drops into your intake once in a while.

[.RJ]

That almost sounds like not a bad idea to throw a few drops into your intake once in a while.

Thats what seafoam/BG intake cleaner/etc is for.

[HAULN-SS]

hrmm..well, that makes sense now I guess that's what most all detergents are. They probably have propylene glycol in them. Hell, might have to check and see if thinned out shampoo would be cheaper =)

[.RJ]

Good luck with that.