Okay as the subject implies, I need all your opinions. This is what I observed.

Went to start the car which it did just fine. Idled fine as well. THEN I went back in the house for a sec only to come back out to find White smoke coming from the engine area(kinda vague as I could'nt pinpoint the location). Turned it off and let it sit for an hour. Went to start it again and white smoke from the engine area. NOT from the exhaust. And yes I have been adding coolant a bit more than what this none mechanic would assume is healthy. Well sh%t so much for seven stock if it's blown.

Watcha think? Oh, does changing from 20/50 to 5/40
oil effect it any? Just did an oil change. Thanks all.

 

Does it have a blue tinge to it at all? Sounds like an oil leak. Or, if you spilled some oil from your oil change, it could be just burning off, but I wouldn't assume that, if I were you. Oil leaks are hard to track down/fix, I would just take it in.

Steve

 

Blue smoke is oil burning. If its white with bluish tint, its oil.

White smoke is coolant burning. Means a water seal is broken and is allowing coolant into the combustion area.

Black smoke is a very rich fuel mix.

What kind of car is it? Turbo? N/A? Supercharged? Nuclear powered? More info about the car and any mods done to it would be helpful

 

Hey thanks for the input. This car is Bone stock vert 88. No mods. What I can't figure out is WHERE the smoke is coming from and as near as I can tell it's near the firewall area. Maybe I should pop the radiator cap & see if it's bubbling on hte cold start?? Thanks.

 

I had smoke come from the engine bay once on my Turbo II. Scared the crap out of me. It was pretty white, but had a hint of blue tinge. It turned out to be an oil leak from a seal that went bad when my clutch was replaced with an ACT. So they had to do another clutch job to replace that seal. Cost me $800. But like you're saying, I couldn't find where the smoke was coming from, and it appeared white at a cursory glance. That's why I think it's an oil leak. It's going to be REALLY hard to locate it yourself. But if you've got time to tinker with it, go ahead. Keep an eyeout for oilspots under the car that might help you locate the leak. Good luck!

Steve

 

Look to see if you can see oily spots on the exhuast, but not while the car is running. Hot oil may drip on your forehead and make you jump, causing you to bump your head on the exhaust pipe, knocking you unconscious, allowing the oil to continue to drip on you, burning away and distinguishing characteristics so that nobody would be able to ID you. (worse case scenerio)

 

Some of you guys barely even read Musik4U's post. He said his car has been using more coolant than normal and that the smoke has been coming from the engine area. Basically, check ALL of your coolant lines and hoses. There are quite a few, including several up by the throttle body. Make sure they're solid and if anything else, just replace them...they aren't that expensive. Look around the exhaust manifold area for coolant puddling...you might find the problem there.

 

Ditto. I was getting confused with some of the replies...

 

I had a very similar problem on my 86. I started the car, went inside, and had white smoke coming out from under the hood. This is why:

On the driver's side of the engine, under the oil filter, there is a coolant hose that travels back towards the fire wall. Over the years, the "O" rings on the oil filter pedestal had worn, and were leaking oil onto the coolant hose. It was hardly any, and I didn't know it was even leaking. Because of this, the hose had deteriorated, and finally sprung a tiny leak. It sprayed all over the firewall and engine, but was almost impossible to locate. So look there, you never know what you'll find!

 

Man, a wealth of knowledge and thanks to all. This wknd I've got plent of spare time. And yes there does SEEM to be residual stuff like "hard h20 spots" on the hose leading from engine to the fire wall but it's slight.
I think that goes to the heater core.Cheaper to replace ALL the hose than a complete rebuild.....Thanks ALL, & i'll keep you updated...

 

A Big round of thanks too all who lead me in the right direction in this regard. Man, I know all of you have your individual challanges, yet still find the time to help. A BIG shout of thanks.
The end result was a coolant hose was leaking and creating a "smoke" so hopefully this will fix that. And a pressure test was done after the fix and it came out perfect. SEVENSTOCK HERE I COME....WHOOOO_HOOOO!!