White Smoke Coming From The Exhaust Of My 1997 Kia Sephia After Two New Head Gaskets?

Question

We bought a 1997 Kia Sephia RS last year. It has recently been blowing white smoke from the exhaust pipes..which we obviously thought was either the valve seals or a blown head gasket. We have replaced both of these things and yet the smoke keeps coming out...but only when you get on the gas. What else could be the problem?

Answer 1

This depends on whether or not you see smoke on deceleration, acceleration, or just all the time. Since you didn't state whether or not you did a compression test, then i can't give u the best answer that i can. You should check your valve overlap, valve seats once again....compression test would tell you this....Since you also said WHITE smoke and not BLUE smoke then it obviously just can't be oil. Did you smell your exhaust for an oil smell? you could have severe blow-by.....Oh....um a compression test will also tell you if this is the case. Check your air and fuel mixture, you could be running too rich on fuel. But you didn't state enough information for me to give a best answer. Re-post this with more information and i will answer again.

Answer 2

white smoke is most often burning coolant.sounds like a cracked head. if the shop that did the gasket had the head checked for straightness then it should have been checked for cracks. there could also be a coolant leak in the intake track. i'm not sure if a sephia has a coolant passage near the throtle body for egr cooling. another possibility is that it has worn valve guides and is burning oil. worn valve guides cause smoking at start-up (if the car has sat for a while) and when accellerating or under a load (like going up a steep hill). if the guides are worn then the new valve seals will not help. they will just get rounded out. another posibility is a worn/cracked pistion and/or worn rings. it is rare but i've seen it happen. if smoke comes out of the oil fill cap (more than just a wisp or two) when you take it off after driving then there is excessive blow-by. the only fix is a motor rebuild/refresh or a new motor.

Answer 3

I don't know much about a KIA,but it sounds like a head when you replaced the heads did they true them flat did the people that did the work put have the heads checked for cracks.Does the car use oil white smoke is oil.How long did you run the car after head gaskets it takes a long time for all the antifreeze to dry up out of the muffler,catalytic converter if the car runs good and don't miss drive it for a while see if the smoke clears keep check on oil and water.You don't need fuel aid adjustment computer takes care of that.If you get antifreeze in oil pan take car and trade off fast.

Answer 4

Is it using antifreeze? Do a pressure test on the cooling system to determin if it is leaking and may show you where. A compression test will help in narrowing down just exactly where the problem is or isn't. White smoke is not oil , so the pistons,rings, valves,guides and valve seals are not the problem. I think you have a blown head gasket or a cracked head or block.

Answer 5

Sounds like it isn't smoke but steam, when you changed your head gaskets, it could be any of the problems listed in previous answers. Is there any water getting into your oil ( white showing on bottom of dip stick)

Answer 6

It still looks like a head gasket problem. When last replaced, did they machine the head and check the block for warpage? Did they replace the head bolts?

Answer 7

Korean manufacturing, circa 1997.

Answer 8

White smoke means the engine is making "steam". The coolant is leaking into the piston area, which may also make your car harder to start.

Answer 9

Cracked Head or Block! - Try some K&W Block sealer - BUTT U have to follow the DIRECTIONS EXACTALLY !!! or the cooling system will B Trashed! U should have had the HEAD {and or} Block Magnafluxed !

Answer 10

broken piston ring, stopped up radiator oil/water mix which could have occurred durring the head gasket failure, burnt valve