so I got my car started up today, and it ran really crappy for a few minutes, then, I reved it up some, it started to run smoother, then billowed white smoke from the exhaust. I haven't driven it, so I don't know if I lost power, but just from reving it, it doesn't sound like I've lost compression on any cilyndars...

 

could there be another source for all this white smoke?!

er um .... so how about those Mets ....

 

(theres only one place white smoke billows out from in a engine)

 

Take off your radiator cap, fill the radiator, start the car with the cap off, look for bubbles. Keep an eye on the temp gauge.

 

how many miles on this puppy?

 

nipper

Ohhhh....... Sounds exactly like what happened my '85 GL a while back. Shortly after the white cloud episode, it started burning coolant pretty bad, and by the end of the summer, I was adding a half a gallon of water every 20 miles. I never did notice any loss of power. Finally did the head gasket before winter came (because I couldn't use plain water in the winter and it would get expensive, plus water doesn't make bad smelling smoke)

 

Has it badly overheated recently? Mine was really badly overheated when the thermostat stuck closed about three months before it started blowing smoke. I think that's what initiated it.

 

If it is the HG, don't dispair. It's a relatively easily fixed problem (compared to throwing a rod or bearing). If the rest of the car's worth it, fix it, and it'll run another 150k.

 

Zeke

Look on the bright side ..you de-carbonizing the engine. You wont notice a power loss with a blown head gasket, unless you melt the engine.

 

 

nipper

Could be a leaking intake gasket as well. Try starting it up and looking for bubbles in the coolant, as that will tell you if its a HG.

OK...wtf! I tried starting it up yesterday to watch the rad, and it wouldn't start, turned over, fired, but wouldn't run. Then today, on the way out the door, I tried it again, it started right up, of course, I was in too big of a hurry, and forgot to check for bubbles, but no more white smoke, a little blue smoke at first, but as soon as I reved it up, it was much better.

 

maybe it just got a little water in it, and as soon as it burned it off, the smoke stopped...maybe it's fine?!?

I'd suspect intake manifold gaskets first.

It's not a headgasket!

 

 

 

Hey....U said...."please tell me.......":-p

But really, it might not be a head gasket. Do the bubble test, and check the oil for watter.