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Recently picked up a 1988 Izuzu Impulse Turbo 4cyl with 104,000 miles and it runs and drives great. The only problem that I have found so far is that it blows white smoke from the exhaust once it warms up. The smoke has a coolant smell, not an oil burning smell. The engine oil is clear and not milky and the engine runs and idles smoothly. Can anyone tell me what might be going on?
I am sure that there is a coolant leak in the motor somewhere. How can I find out where?I am sure that there is a coolant leak in the motor somewhere. How can I find out where?
I found a compression leak tester, and will try that this afternoon. That should confirm or eliminate the possibility of a bad head gasket or cracked head. Right?I found a compression leak tester, and will try that this afternoon. That should confirm or eliminate the possibility of a bad head gasket or cracked head. Right?
AnonymousMar 31, 2014
cant tell if its white or blue, but it isnt using much oil or loseing any water. it is there from starting the engine and on idle but not sure that it is present when on the road.cant tell if its white or blue, but it isnt using much oil or loseing any water. it is there from starting the engine and on idle but not sure that it is present when on the road.
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White smoke is caused by coolant or water
coming out the tail pipe. There is a
chance that the white smoke was caused by
water splashing up from a puddle onto the
exhaust pipe. Keep an eye on the
coolant level in the radiator in any event. If its less then there leak coolant leak in the car engine which is causing this problem....
Yes on the leak down test If you have white smoke coming out the exhaust and the engine runs good then must have an exhaust side leak in the head or head gasket .No real way of telling until you pull the off could be ahead gasket cracked head all can come from the exhaust side and not make the engine run bad if it is a tight leak then it will not leak until it worms it will get worse pull the head before you ruin the engine JohnnyYes on the leak down test If you have white smoke coming out the exhaust and the engine runs good then must have an exhaust side leak in the head or head gasket .No real way of telling until you pull the off could be ahead gasket cracked head all can come from the exhaust side and not make the engine run bad if it is a tight leak then it will not leak until it worms it will get worse pull the head before you ruin the engine
Johnny
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Sounds like a bad turbo to me. When you "kick it in", the engine falters and you get black smoke for a while. What is probably happening is that the turbo is leaking oil into the intake air stream, putting it into the cylinders with the fuel/air mix and causing one of two issues. Either the oil is inhibiting the combustion process, causing the falter and the resulting poor ignition, plus the oil, is giving black smoke, OR, the oil in the cylinders is fouling the plug momentarily, resulting in the fuel/oil being passed into the exhaust stream, burned in the catalytic converter and exits as black smoke. If it runs OK except when under turbo load, have that thing checked out ASAP. And, as far as the light staying on, most faults will set permanently after they occur three or more times within a certain period of time. This is ti ensure that intermittent faults won't cause false setting of the light.
If your car is fitted with Manifold Air Pressure sensor (MAP) check that is operating OK. Sometimes if this is as at fault it can send the wrong signal that the engine is running lean and the engine computer (ECU) in turn compensates by injecting extra fuel. The clouds of smoke are unburnt fuel so not only does it look bad but it is wasteful/costly. The fault on a MAP can evolve slowly and therefore evades the computer diagnostics check for some while before being picked up. Also on the list of things to look at are:-
1) the mass air sensor on the air filter ducting
2) the EGR exhaust gas recirculation valve (perhaps needs a thorough clean)
3) the differential pressure feedback exhaust (DFPE) sensor - lies upstream of the EGR but if faulty can combine to lead to errors in fuel injection quantities.
Engine also smokes when car driving if turbocharger still faulty. Did you change the engine timing belt (the timing belt kit) meantime? What about engine oil consumption? When engine glow plugs (one or more) burnt then engine exhausts white smoke at idling. Also white smoke at engine idling when water is still present in diesel fuel.
IMEDIATLY CONTACT WHOEVER DID THIS SERVICE, AS IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THEY DID NOT FILL CRANKCASE WITH PROPER QUANTITY OF OIL AND IT HAS CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE TO YOUR ENGINE
If you are getting clouds of white smoke out the exhaust it is a good indicator of antifreeze getting into one or more of the cylinders. I bought a "Great" car sight unseen from a friend once and when he pulled in the drive the whole car disappeared in a cloud of white smoke that only left when he shut the engine off. I found head gasket leaks in half the cylinders. It takes very little coolant to cause the white smoke. If you are absolutely sure of zero coolant loss perhaps the smoke is a little blue--an indication of burning a little oil from a sloppy turbo bearing. Try the nose test-- it may give you the answer. Burning oil has a distinctive smell.
White smoke from exhaust = water into the cylinders, when this happens it usually means head gasket gone or starting to go. Check the water level, and take the car to the garage for a check up , if it is the head gasket, as I think, you risk to blow the engine at any time.
I am sure that there is a coolant leak in the motor somewhere. How can I find out where?
Why would you think there is a leak in the firewall?
I found a compression leak tester, and will try that this afternoon. That should confirm or eliminate the possibility of a bad head gasket or cracked head. Right?
cant tell if its white or blue, but it isnt using much oil or loseing any water. it is there from starting the engine and on idle but not sure that it is present when on the road.
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