I have a 4M40 auto transmission, 2.8D engine. I have noticed a lot of white smoke suddenly and drops of oil from the exhaust. A day before, I made a mistake of slightly over filling engine oil but was later drained out.I have since parked it. What could this be? Could it be the rings which have been messed up? Do I need a total overhaul? kindly assist

hi
White smoke is burning engine oil.
mostly when Engine oil is changed or topped up
little oil get dropped and when engine heats up. it burns the oil.
but once oil is burnt then no more smoke is there.

unless you have a leak
thanks

The most common causes are worn valve guides and piston rings.
Its also possible your crankcase vent is plugged up.

A leak of some fluid, probably oil, dripping onto the exhaust. This smells terrible, and it only needs a drop or two.

Possibly,
Do a compression test on the engine to confirm or rule out a breached head gasket. If the gasket breached you could get antifreeze leaking both internally and externally causing both white smoke and the squealing belt and have a oil leak. The gasket is one of the few things that separate these systems.

Your car shouldn't have just suddenly started burning oil. Its possible it's leaking in the engine compartment and the leak is dripping onto the hot exhaust manifold and the. The smoke is blowing out the back as you drive. I would think it's unlikely that the engine has been damaged since the check-engine light should have come on if the oil level was low enough to cause damage.

If hii find that bluish smoke is coming from the exhaust pipes, then the next thing to check is whether it smokes on acceleration or deceleration. If the latter, it may be just a valve issue. If it smokes a lot on startup, then it may be rings.

sorry but if you have white smoke coming out your exhaust, most likely you blew a head gasket. antifreeze is leaking into your exhaust and out the tailpipe. check your engine oil dipstick and see if the oil is a milky color. your local auto parts store sells a temp fix for it just ask for a head gasket sealer. good luck

The most common cause of blue (or worse still) being expelled through the exhaust system is extreme wear in the engine, or, if you're extremely fortunate a significant OVERFILL of the engine oil level. One other possible, though unlikely cause, is a fault in the engine's scavenging system.
Has this problem occurred suddenly without warning? Had the car been serviced immediately before this event, or the engine oil topped up?

Hi,

You didn't state the color of smoke. The color of smoke has different meaning or causes.

Black smoke is burning oil. Blue smoke is usually transmission fluid due to a leaking modulator valve in the older auto transmission. White smoke is due to water getting in to a cylinder from a bad gasket, cracked block or a cracked head.

Best regards.

Bradley,
You have stated two problems. Coming to second first. Smell of burning rubber. in the car rubber is only at two places where it can burn, The tyres, unlikely as you have not commented upon your driving habits. Some people like to rev the engine so much before take off that the tyres go burning for the first few hundred meters. And then there is rubber on the wires and cables. You have to check the wires for any heat while the engine is running.
Coming to the first now. White smoke is generally of unburnt fiel and not oil. Oil alwayd give black smoke and that is the indication you get when the exhaust is giving black smoke. That means that the engine is consuming oil. if it is white then that indicates that the engine is cold and burning more gas/diesel. Is your a diesel vehicle?? But as you say it from under the hood. And that too behind the engine block. May be that the gasket is leaking from somewhere. If you could check the engine oil level for a few days early in the morning before starting the engine. If the level drops and the exhaust tail pipe does not blacken your finger when you rub it in it would mean that the oil is being burnt. Now what I suggest is that with the engine running and hand brakes on, go under the car with hood open and try to locate the source of the smoke. I am sure you would be able to locate it.
Then we talk again.

White smoke usually associated with water or moisture. it doesn't take too much water to produce white smoke. check

1. cloudy oil under oil cap
2. leak through gasket from cooling jacket to combustion chamber