The past week when I started my car (especially when my car sat for two days) I have been getting really sluggish starts. It idles really low and puts out white smoke from the exhaust. Today was no different except there was a pool if anti-freeze under the engine. After the start up it runs fine. Any ideas on what this may be. Possible O-ring failure??

 

Best thing to do is to pressure test your coolant system. You can also have the coolant system tested for hydrocarbons which will also let you know if you have an o-ring failure.

 

Sounds like O-ring.

 

yup

 

It does sound like O-ring, but that wouldn't cause Coolant an the ground. You might have a leak somewhere too.

 

I bet your leak is coming from the c-clips on the main radiator hoses (top and bottom one) Or maybe that there is a small rip on the main radiator hoses. I get the slow start up too sometimes, it takes a a second more to start up then usual right? IMO I dont think its an O-Ring failure.

 

Thanks for all the help guys. I am going to pressure test the system today and see where to go from there (crossing my fingers that it is not the o-rings.)

 

Mines doing the same thing. It will leak coolant from the overflow tank after it gets warmed up a bit.

Start saving up for a new engine.

 

In your case make sure you check/replace your caps on the filler neck and the ast. I have had that problem and it is due to the cheap caps that I buy at auto zone for the filler neck. When I replace em, the problem is gone. It would only happen when I would park the car after driving it. Your car smoking alot? Also, when having trouble starting it, check the spark plugs. You will be able to see if they got water on em.

 

Not too much smoke, but enough to warrent some concern. I will check the spark plugs tomarrow.