Hey guys, how's it going.

Basically, here's the scoop:

I got my engine rebuilt a few months ago by a very reputable engine builder. I went easy on it during the break in (4k, no boost), and I've been keeping up with it quite well.

Yesterday I washed my car, and I sprayed a little water down the back of the exhaust mufflers. After I started it up, it was smoking a little from water vapor.

Today, I went to start up my car, and I notice smoke. Or maybe condensation, I don't know.

It wasn't thick, it was kind of whispy. It was light, and wasn't like 'billowing'. I noticed tiny puddles of water at the end of my exhaust tips.


Now today, I go out. I was revving my engine in the parking lot for some friends who saw the car for the first time (it was warmed up), and I noticed a huge cloud of smoke float up and in front of my car.

Now I went home, and with the car warm, when I rev the engine, it smokes a little. White I think.

The temperature outside is 43* Farenheight.

It's not a 'sweet' smell - in fact, I wouldn't know what a sweet thing smells like, but this distinctly smells like noxious gas fumes. Also, the coolant buzzer has never once gone off in my car, and my coolant level has never dropped from the day I got the car 4 months ago.

So.. any ideas? Mods are in sig.

 

Did the huge cloud come from behind an over the front, or did some of it come FROM the front?

What is your fuel mixture like? Running really rich can cause the water dripping and slight smoke. The noxious fumes- kinda like sulfur or rotten eggs?

What has your oil use been like during break-in?

 

It came from behind and over the front, so I'm most likely assuming it was from the exhaust.

My fuel mixture is rich. You can hear it pop and ignite when you shift under boost, but no flames.

It didn't smell like sulfur or rotten eggs.. it smelled like gas. Really gasy gas

 

That's your problem- running too rich. You're goona foul your plugs, clog your cats, de-sensitize your O2 sensors, blot the sun from the sky, cause rivers to run backwards and generally bring doom and destruction upon the land.

But, have a nice day.

 

Ah, plugs I'll deal with. I don't have cats, and O2 sensors are replacable.

As for nature... we all know it's the arch enemy of any rotary car.

 

Seriously, from my experience you shouldn't have any problem as long as it's not some uninvited oil managing to slip into the combustion chamber causing the smoke. Not at all bluish, right? Like you pointed out, the smoke isn't "sweet" so coolant leaks are out.

But if it is noxious enough to make your eyes water, you might want to lean it out a little. Your performance might even improve a little.

I know the burble and pop of post-ignition sounds really cool on a cool southern autumn night though.

 

It's mostly leaned out for cruising and accel. I really need to pick up an EGT gauge, though.

It didn't smell distinctly sweet. It just smelled like really concentrated gas, but nothing distinctly that jumped out at me and said 'hey that smells sweet' (trust me, I was trying to find a sweet smell)

It's not bluish. Also, I don't think I ever get smoke when I'm driving, only revving in neutral. Plus like I said, it's 43*F out.

 

This just occurred to me: you're not getting TOO MUCH fuel with your fuel injection and fuel pump mods, are you? That would also give you the same problems. The car is spitting out raw gas because it can't burn it as fast as you're pumping it.

It's all fuel metering issues, no mechanical worries. The new gauge might help you keep an eye on things.

 

Well, the only thing I can do is trust my tuner and his abilities. He's good though - damn good.

I'm going to pick up that EGT gauge soon though.

 

Cool deal, man.
Have fun with it.

 

Thanks for your help. It's almost like we're talking on AIM.

But hopefully I can just get a second opinion (No offense! )

 

None taken.
See ya!