Excessive fuming from engine breather. using oil. using excessive coolant. steam emiited from exhaust for long periods

he causes of white exhaust smoke can vary; however, it is common to see white exhaust smoke when first starting a car, especially on cooler days. This is generally steam caused by condensation. As the engine warms up and the condensation dissipates the white exhaust smoke (steam) is no longer seen. If excessive white exhaust smoke is present well after the engine warms up, it is necessary to have the car inspected for possible internal coolant leaks. Indicators of an internal coolant leak include billowing white exhaust smoke accompanied by a sweet odor or a low coolant reservoir level. An internal coolant leak can also contaminate the engine oil giving it a frothy, milky appearance. Even small amounts of coolant entering the combustion chamber will produce white exhaust smoke.
One of the main causes of white exhaust smoke and coolant loss is a cracked or warped cylinder head, a cracked engine block, or head gasket failure caused by overheating. A cracked head may allow coolant to leak into one or more cylinders or into the combustion chamber of the engine. Dirty coolant, a poorly maintained cooling system, a low coolant level, or a non-functioning cooling fan can cause engine overheating. In addition, engine wear can eventually cause the gaskets to lose their capacity to seal properly allowing internal coolant loss. Intake manifold gasket and head gasket failures are two of the most common sources of internal coolant loss caused by engine wear.
Never remove the radiator cap or coolant reservoir cap while the engine is hot or running as it can cause serious injury; always allow the car to cool down completely first. Checking for a low coolant level in the reservoir is the first step in determining if coolant loss is causing the white exhaust smoke. If the coolant reservoir is at the proper level but excessive white exhaust smoke is present, a cooling system pressure check is required to determine where, if any, coolant leaks are located.

It is common to see white exhaust smoke when first starting a car, especially on cooler days. This is generally steam caused by condensation. As the engine warms up and the condensation dissipates the white exhaust smoke (steam) is no longer seen. If excessive white exhaust smoke is present well after the engine warms up, it is necessary to have the car inspected for possible internal coolant leaks. Indicators of an internal coolant leak include billowing white exhaust smoke accompanied by a sweet odor or a low coolant reservoir level. An internal coolant leak can also contaminate the engine oil giving it a frothy, milky appearance. Even small amounts of coolant entering the combustion chamber will produce white exhaust smoke. One of the main causes of white exhaust smoke and coolant loss is a cracked or warped cylinder head, a cracked engine block, or head gasket failure caused by overheating. A cracked head may allow coolant to leak into one or more cylinders or into the combustion chamber of the engine. Dirty coolant, a poorly maintained cooling system, a low coolant level, or a non-functioning cooling fan can cause engine overheating. In addition, engine wear can eventually cause the gaskets to lose their capacity to seal properly allowing internal coolant loss. Intake manifold gasket and head gasket failures are two of the most common sources of internal coolant loss caused by engine wear.
Never remove the radiator cap or coolant reservoir cap while the engine is hot or running as it can cause serious injury; always allow the car to cool down completely first. Checking for a low coolant level in the reservoir is the first step in determining if coolant loss is causing the white exhaust smoke. If the coolant reservoir is at the proper level but excessive white exhaust smoke is present, a cooling system pressure check is required to determine where, if any, coolant leaks are located. THESE LEAKS WILL CAUSE SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE! Have the car inspected immediately.

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Internal coolant leaks can and will cause

You may have a broken ring or scored cylinder wall and piston. Have a cylinder leak down test performed to confirm this. Other causes can be a plugged crankcase ventilation system causing pressure to build in the engine, if that is the case the air cleaner box should have oil in it. The grey color of the smoke means you are burning a lot of oil.

The slow rising temp gauge points to a thermostat which has failed and stuck open. This is easy to replace.

At the same time the gauge will tell you if the car is overheating.

Is it losing coolant at all? A hot smell can result from leaking coolant getting on the exhaust manifold.

The smell can also result when leaking engine oil gets onto the exhaust. Camrys of that era had several characteristic oil leaks

- from the rear of the cam cover, especially on a V6
-from the distributor shaft o-ring
-from the oil filter-to-engine block mounting adapter (if fitted)

The PCV valve does not control the oil situation, it just keeps the pans and valve covers from blowing off during a backfire. Excessive Oil in the breather is a result of excessive crankcase pressures, usually due to a worn engine, specifically rings.
SOME oil is normal, especially if you are loaded heavily and hard on the throttle.
There is a tester that measures crankcase pressures, but usually some other manifestation shows, like excessive oil consumption.

the PCV system draws crankcase fumes into the intake at idle and lower throttle situations. air going into the crankcase is filtered by the small PCV filter, where the oil shows up....

At highter throttle and lower intake manifold pressures, the system reverses, the PCV valve closes, and the fumes exit the crankcase VIA the breather filter. All of this is normal.

It costs tons less to periodically clean or replace the PCV filter.

Jags are HARD to work on, and even HARDER to buy parts for ... so ... have you ever heard of K-Seal? If it WORKS, it could save you $1,000's! If it doesn't work, you're out less than $20!

Hi,
oil getting on a breather can indicate excessive crankcase pressure. Check all the `crankcase breathers and the valve cover breathers.

if the crankcase has been overfilled with engine oil. The crankshaft has to "beat" it's way through the oil and thus acts as a pump and sends oil all over the internal surfaces of the crankcase.

If the engine cylinders have developed 'blow-by" they will also contribute to an increase in crankcase pressure which will be evident by oil in the breathers. The fumes / pressure in the crankcase are designed to be removed by the engine breather system, and drawn through the engine etc.

I hope this info helps.

oil from breather is normal but excessive means blow-by from either cyl. rings or valves

Oil in the coolant,or coolant in the oil.Excessive smoke/steam from the exhaust that smells sweet,or coolant going low and no sign of leeks.Start your motor cold and make sure the radiator is full and cap off.Watch for excessive bubbles,but stand back due to the posibility of eruptions spewing coolant.These are all signs of a blown head gasket.You can also do a compression check on the cylinders and if two adjasant cylinders show low compression.Well hope this helps and good luck.

Coolant is mixing with the engine oil.Blown head gasket,or cracked,or warped head.