blowing smoke while on idle

[Sophia]

Alright latest update:

Checked my oil, its full.
Checked my water coolant thing, no where near full, i had no coolant stuff so I put water in (dont get up me if this was stupid)
I started the car then got out and watched the exhausts, the smoke isnt there until the car has been sitting for about 30seconds then white smoke comes out...

[I8A4RE]

1) Checked my water coolant thing, no where near full, i had no coolant stuff so I put water in (dont get up me if this was stupid)
2) Sitting for about 30seconds then white smoke comes out...

No not stupid at all. It does sound like you have water leak into the exhaust but let's just keep an eye on it for the next couple of weeks. You dont need to check every day but once a week keep an eye on it. If your having to top it up then, I can take a look at it at DIY day. It's not going to blow up or anything so dont worry too much about it.

[Sophia]

Alrighty, thats not too bad.
So does that mean the smoke coming out is just a result of the water leaking into the exhaust?

Also, im guessing I should go buy some coolant if this is going to keep leaking, any particular brand, type? or are they all pretty much the same?

[I8A4RE]

Well yeah but there usually is only one way water can get into the exhaust like that and that is through the head gasket.

Yes definitly buy some coolant. Get a anti-boil/anti freeze one. I use one called dr coolant or something like that.

[Sophia]

*sinking feeling in my stomach* so my head gasket is broken and thats pretty bad?

Alright Ill get some today and fill it up

Thanks for this Simon

[I8A4RE]

*sinking feeling in my stomach* so my head gasket is broken and thats pretty bad?

Alright Ill get some today and fill it up

Thanks for this Simon

IF it is your head gasket, it's not terminal, it's just going to cost a little to get fixed anywhere from $800-1300.

[Sophia]

ahh yep if thats the case I definatly wont be able to afford to come to the DIY


So just go get some coolant, fill it up, and keep and eye on it through the week, if the smoke stops and the coolant doesnt continually need refilling im fine?

[Dras]

I am in exactly the same boat.

Blowing white smoke and no coolant left in my coolant overflow bottle. (Flushed it about a year ago)

I also just did an oil change and had a considerable amount (like 2 liters) missing but it did not look contaminated with coolant nor does my coolant bottle smell of exhaust fumes. My A/C does not smell like exhaust either.

Also, prior to changing my tappets a few months back I did a compression test and all was good.

Over the weekend I tightened my rocker covers as there was traces of oil in my spark plug wells, and the bolts were significantly looser than the specified torque in the manual. (I know, I should have purchased the torque wrench prior to changing the tappets but you live you learn)

[Sophia]

Yeah I did an oil change a little while back, and it started around then

[I8A4RE]

@ Dras, you need to get your cooling system pressure tested. Any mechanic or radiator place will be able to do it should cost about $30-50, if not for free (some radiator places used to do it for free but I am not sure these days). That will identify where your leak is coming from.

@ Sophia,

So just go get some coolant, fill it up, and keep and eye on it through the week, if the smoke stops and the coolant doesnt continually need refilling im fine?

Absolutely, if water does end up dissappearing then, it is the same for you as it is for dras. Pressure test and depending on what that finds, compression test/leak down test. That will definitly identify the condition of your head gasket.

[Sophia]

Awesome, once again, thank you so much

Will keep you posted in a couple of days as to to what happens after topping/filling up the coolant

[Sophia]

I bought some, and it says I have to completely drain the coolant/water thats already in there, is that true or they just do it to confuse the female population??

[I8A4RE]

pfft, I have never worried about it before. I am sure there are some anal people out there who would worry but in all my experience it is rubbish.

[Sophia]

woo will fill it up in the morning

[Kustom]

do they just do it to confuse the female population??

[Sophia]

You cant make fun of me unless your going to help aswell stef

[Sophia]

So a couple of new things from the weekend

1. I have coolant leaking out onto the ground underneath the drivers side of the engine
2. I checked the coolant after driving a short while and is it supposed to foam up
3. Im still blowing a tiny bit of smoke but I dont think its as bad

[Dras]

Woot! I found the source of my coolant leak.

It was the throttle body. It was leaking coolant into the air intake tract.

There is still a bit of smoke at idle but I am hoping that is just because I am still running rich.

[Sophia]

Could this be the same case with me?

[I8A4RE]

It could be.

However I doubt that will be the cause of the leak, that you said you have on the drivers side.