Thread: Working fine yesterday, white smoke today

Hi guys,

I have a 2000 GTP with about 76000 miles on it. When I bought the car, I removed the supercharger belt because it was worn, and it kept slipping on the 3.4" pulley. I was also driving it after disconnecting the EGR since it was dirty and made my car jerk a lot while driving. That was until yesterday. Anyway, today, when I cleaned the EGR valve (Brakleen) and put on the new Goodyear Gatorback belt on the SC and started the car up:

1. The engine started but immediately died. This happened unless I kept my foot on the accelerator.

2. White smoke came out from the exhausts and also inside the engine bay. More smoke emerged from the exhausts than the engine bay.

There is another thing, however: I was going to remove the MAF and clean it, but I ended up just removing two bolts and all the plugs. I then replaced all the bolts and the plugs. Could this be a factor in this happening?

I know that white smoke is generally a sign of coolant entering the engine, but I just got my cooling system checked out 10 days ago, and replaced a leaking water elbow (if thats what it is), so I'm not sure if its the coolant, since the coolant level seems fine as well.

Thanks guys.

She could be running rich. Next time you start it and it's smoking, see if the smoke has a sweet smell or a strong odor of unburnt fuel.

Yeah it does have a slightly sweet smell. If its running rich, that's not likely to damage my engine is it? I dont want to drive it yet because I really hope its not the coolant leaking into the engine.

If your getting a slight sweet smell, I dought your running rich then. You could have a cracked head gasket. The crack can be running from the coolant passage to the piston. That's probably why your not getting any in your oil. I think you can run a compression check on each cylinder to see if that's whats going on. If there is a crack in the head gasket, the cylinder should leak.

Originally Posted by BADAZGTP

If your getting a slight sweet smell, I dought your running rich then. You could have a cracked head gasket. The crack can be running from the coolant passage to the piston. That's probably why your not getting any in your oil. I think you can run a compression check on each cylinder to see if that's whats going on. If there is a crack in the head gasket, the cylinder should leak.

Sounds like a good idea. Hope it doesnt come out too expensive, but I suppose I need to get it done. Do you know of any way to change a cracked head gasket? I did run across tutorials for other cars, but I'm not able to find anything for a GTP yet.

You dont think it was anything I did with the MAF sensor, right? Nothing misaligned or anything?

Thanks so much for your help dude.

Cheers.

Originally Posted by UR LOSN

that wouldnt be MAF related.

Did you spray anything down your EGR? It could cause a smoke show.....

Yep, I sprayed Brakleen down the EGR. You think that could do it? I also sprayed a little WD40 on the EGR contacts since they didnt look to hot. In retrospect, seems a stupid thing to do...

EDIT: By hot, I mean clean.

Right, now the engine wont turn over anymore, so I guess I need a verdict. What do you guys think it'll be, and whats the damage to fix it?

So when you turn the key, the motor doesn't turn over at all?

I'll have to look at mine tomorrow in the daylight so I can see what's in that area. I'll get back with you.

Thank you dude!

Really? Thats it? I hope that's what it turns out to be, but after reading too many horror stories about seized engines, I didn't want to try that. After reading what you wrote though, what's the harm, eh?

On the other hand, I still want to know what that fluid was in the engine compartment. You reckon I should change the filter etc. anyway?

Thanks for telling me though - I didn't know it could just be temporary problem. I'll let it run for a while tomorrow and let you know how she does.

Cheers!

Hmm. Well, I'll have a look and see if I can spot the source of the leak, and then I'll change everything. I haven't touched anything though, so I'm concerned it might be the LIM or a cracked head gasket. The problem is, I'm really not sure. What bugs me is that it was working fine the night before!

Thanks!

Still can't locate the source of the leak. I'll try figure it out tomorrow. You guys have any ideas? Can it be the LIM from that location?

Sorry, I wasn't able to check mine today. By the time I got home from work, it was dark already. Should be a earlier day tomorrow so if you haven't figured anything out by then, I'll see what I can find.

Sounds great, thanks! Since I'm a bit short of cash at the moment, I want to do as much as I can without taking it to a mechanic, possibly even fixing it myself.

Cheers!