It's blowing smoke like mad whenever the engine is idling - at traffic lights etc. It sailed through it's MOT just over a month ago with no mention of any problems.
It usually smokes a little when the oil needs toping up but i have checked that and it's fine. Any suggestions?
2006-12-18 08:09:02 · 15 answers · asked by L D 5 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
The smoke is white and cloudy, i had the car serviced prior to the mot so the oil was changed and the system cleaned out.
It's begining to sound like it will be an expensive job :o(
2006-12-18 08:19:10 · update #1
Just been out to look under the bonnet. The coolant level is fine - hasn't been topped up since the MOT. There is however oil around the engine under the oil filler cap. Does this help?
2006-12-18 08:57:23 · update #2
I doubt it's the head gasket. If it were, your cooling system would over pressurize and force coolant out of the radiator, and coolant reservoir. Not to mention coolant would be forced into the cylinder after you turned it off, and cause starting problems.
My guess is the intake valve seals are worn, or cracked allowing oil in the top of the head to pass by the valve stem and valve guides. As the engine idles oil is allowed to pool a little bit and not burn off as easily as when you're driving down the road.
If you have had to add oil more than usual, but there's no puddle under the car, it has to go somewhere.....burns up as you drive.
Have you had to add coolant recently? It could be an intake manifold leak along the head.
2006-12-18 08:42:53 · answer #1 · answered by Mr. KnowItAll 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well there are different type of smoke a car can give off. Is it blue black or white? Black would mean the car is getting too much gas when it is running. Possibly a faulty fuel injector or sensor. Blue means you are burning oil. Some things that may cause this are valve seals, bad piston rings and some misc other things. White smoke would be coolant leaking into your engine. Usually the worst of them all.
http://www.cobaltperformanceparts.com/
2006-12-18 08:20:35 · answer #2 · answered by skippydog23 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it's an older car, I'd throw a pint of oil treatment in there next time you need oil.
If you keep "topping off" instead of changing it, that oil stays permanently nasty and smoke like hell.
Most States have eased up on emissions testing. Remember if your car is off the road the State loses that license revenue.
2006-12-18 08:15:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What colour is this smoke that is coming out?
If it looks like steam than that maybe all it is and is nothing to worry about. If it's a thick white smoke or any other colour (blue or black) than there is a problem.
It's not your exhaust that causing the problem regardless of the colour of the smoke.
2006-12-18 08:16:26 · answer #4 · answered by bwc0356 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Head gasket may have gone. This'll cause oil to get into the compression chambers and leave you with a blueish white cloud following.
Mechanic time.
2006-12-18 08:11:57 · answer #5 · answered by Shockey Monkey 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I bet there is nothing wrong with your car its just steam from the hot exhaust gasses coming into contact with the cold air
2006-12-18 09:56:23 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it can be a number of things but i had the same problem and later i found out it was the head gasket on the way out!
2006-12-18 08:12:38 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
possible warped head causing a bad head gasket . remove the head, have a mach shop surface it and replace head gasket
2006-12-18 09:03:30 · answer #8 · answered by lowrider6204 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its not the exhaust its your cylander rings they are worn and is letting oil through which is bieng burnt by the spark and pushed through the exhaust
2006-12-18 08:12:58 · answer #9 · answered by luckydo6 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its not your exhaust. its your engine. sounds like your fuel mixture is wrong, or you are burning a bit of oil.
2006-12-18 08:12:45 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋