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Whiteish smoke at startup

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Old 04-11-03, 11:23 PM
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hsv
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Whiteish smoke at startup

When my car has been sitting for about 24 hours, one will see whiteish smoke coming out the exhaust on startup.

I've searched for other threads, and none of them really diagnose the problem.

I thought it was burning oil, but now after reading some threads, I'm not sure if it's oil or coolant.

I have an aftermarket AST and I have *never* seen my temps pass 9pm.

I'll start my car tomorrow morning and try to take a picture. I'll also give it a sniff too. But in the meantime, anyone have any suggestions or ideas? Thanks

btw, this FD is my first rotary
Old 04-11-03, 11:26 PM
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well good luck with the car.... how cold is it there????

also check out this site... it is very helpfull with troubleshooting

www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7
Old 04-11-03, 11:30 PM
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some smoke on start up is normal, especially if the car has been sitting a while. It usually smokes for a minute or so and then it should stop.
Old 04-11-03, 11:49 PM
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If its heavy white smoke that takes minutes to burn off. Your coolant seals could be going. That usually means you need a rebuild. If its some grey blueish smoke I hear thats normal.
Old 04-11-03, 11:52 PM
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From what I hear, totally normal, my car did ( ) it all the time, especially when cold. But hey, the motor went last night, so what do i know...
Old 04-12-03, 08:19 PM
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the old motor i had did it. it blew up, got a brand new street port, have 2000 miles on it. it's done it from the first startup to this day. i'm pretty sure it's just a combination of fuel and oil burning. these things are horribly rich when they're cold and mixed with the oil from the omp, it makes for a nice smoke screen
Old 04-12-03, 08:25 PM
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Mine wouldn't stop smoking the other day. After 5 minutes of warming up... Still CLOUDS of smoke. All oil. Tore off the turbos... Minimal shaft play, free spin. I guess I lost an oil seal in the motor... Unless I am completely missing something..
Old 04-12-03, 08:30 PM
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put your pre-cat and main cat back on and the smoke will go away.
Old 04-12-03, 08:49 PM
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I get some white smoke at startup, I dont think it's a big deal I am pretty sure it is just condensation. Unless, it is really thick smoke.
Old 04-12-03, 10:40 PM
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isnt the smoke supposed to me more when you have a main catalytic converter installed? i never got smoke when i had both my cats off, and now i put the main cat back in due to the boost spikes i was having, and well i get smoke at start up now, its white, but i know its not coolant this is fuel from smell.
Old 04-13-03, 01:55 AM
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Originally posted by jdhuegel1
Mine wouldn't stop smoking the other day. After 5 minutes of warming up... Still CLOUDS of smoke. All oil. Tore off the turbos... Minimal shaft play, free spin. I guess I lost an oil seal in the motor... Unless I am completely missing something..
yup sounds like u blew an oil seal for ur engine... right on the ball good call...

i have some for sale.... brand new from atkins... i was gonna do a rebuild but was too lazy lol..... pm me if ya want um... ill give ya a good deal
Old 04-13-03, 08:14 AM
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I notice the same things.

The engine exhaust tends to be very hot with lots of steam. On a cool, damp morning it will look a lot like smoke. Also, during startup FDs run extra rich, so it will have a rich fumey smell. And remember rotarys burn a little oil at all times, too so you'll smell that.

The white smoke of death involves the coolant getting in through the coolant seals and being burned. Coolant smells like maple syrup when burned at it comes through as loads of particulate white smoke that hangs around and doesn't leave.

So I got a compression test done a couple of weeks ago to be exactly sure. Mine is in excellent shape, and I sleep better now. It's worth it.

Dave
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