I just replaced my water pump, and went ahead and replaced the water pump housing to block gasket. We bolted everything up and was burping the cooling system when we noticed whiteish-grey smoke coming out of the exhaust manifold. I triple checked that everything was put back together correctly. While we were burping it, we were running it with no thermostat. The smoke smelled almost like oil or plastic burning. To be clear, the smoke was coming OFF the exhaust manifold. The temp gauge showed the temp was low, not even normal operating temp.

Does anybody have any idea what could have caused it, or what it is?

Thanks!
-Will


EDIT: It's a 12a

 

I would guess spilled coolant. If so, it should burn off in a minute or two.

If not a spill, my next guess would be a coolant leak, maybe at the intake manifold gasket or even the gaskets you replaced.

 

Ray, thanks for replying. I did spill some coolant on the manifold when removing the thermostat. I don't think that it's the gaskets; when I replaced them, I made sure the surfaces were perfect, they all felt like glass. My first thought was that it was just the coolant burning, but it didn't have that coolant burning smell, if you know what I mean.

Are you really over in Jefferson? I have some family out that way, off Exit 40 on 85. I'm actually over in Gainesville, myself. I didn't know that there were any other rotary guys around here, LOL

 

Check all your fluid levels, if everything looks good take it out for a spin and watch the gauges.

Chances are when you get back the white smoke will be gone. If not, give us an update and we can take it from there.

Yep, I'm in Jefferson, on Jefferson River Rd on the Athens side of town.

There are a bunch of rotor heads in the NE Atlanta area, we meet every month over in Buford, plus trips to the mountains every once in awhile.

You should join in, they're great folks and they know everything rotary.

Here's the thread:

https://www.rx7club.com/se-rx-7-foru...75955/page715/

 

any spilled oil or coolant will burn off the manifold, with no danger. the manifold gets HOT in use, so stuff burns off more quickly there than anywhere else. i'd let it warm up, and by then it should have stopped

 

I just checked the fluids -- all good. Replaced thermostat and topped off the coolant. Took her out for a spin and there was smoke off the manifold, but the temp gauge stayed perfect. Everything seems like it's working, except for the smoke. I'll take her out tomorrow and see what happens after sitting overnight.

Thanks!

And Ray, I'll have to check out that meeting in Buford. I actually go to school like 10 minutes from Buford at UNG in oakwood. If I have time next month I'll see if I can't come down.