Smoke from passenger sidepipe

lnfletcher · #1 (**permalink**) 04-20-2006, 11:11 AM

I need some help! On a carberated 5.0 I have medium amount of white smoke from the passenger sidepipe while idling and low revs. Haven't had it on the road to know about under load. No smoke out of driver's side. Replaced carberator and plugs. Old plugs looked clean. Compression check was as follows:
1 = 137lbs
2 = 145lbs
3 = 147lbs
4 = 135lbs
Check done at normal operating temp. Is this a valve guide problem, and if so, why are the pulgs clean?

Mike Simard · #2 (**permalink**) 04-20-2006, 11:15 AM

One possibility is always a leaky intake manifold gasket sucking coolant into #1 or #4 cylinders. I've seen some examples of FelPro intake gaskets that look like they ooze around. Did either the #1 or #4 plug look exceptionally clean?

lnfletcher · #3 (**permalink**) 04-20-2006, 11:41 AM

They all looked "normal" and the same. I am running only water and I would think that it would be "steam type" instead of white smoke smoke. Also it seems to idle well unlike if it had a coolant leak.

wtm442 · #4 (**permalink**) 04-20-2006, 11:54 AM

White smoke is always the engine trying to burn water. On a cool engine, pressure test the cooling system and fix the leak(s).

If it was burning oil, the smoke would NOT be white

lnfletcher · #5 (**permalink**) 04-20-2006, 12:00 PM

What about raw fuel? Seems to smell more like fuel.

scootter · #6 (**permalink**) 04-20-2006, 12:01 PM

Check for oil in the water and for water in the oil. Also, get it to operating temp with the radiator cap off and check for bubbling in the radiator (don't try to take the cap off after it is hot). If it is water you should see some bubbling. Also when it is shut down you might get some water in the pistons. If you smell the smoke you could probably tell if it is oil or water.
Scott

Curt C. · #7 (**permalink**) 04-20-2006, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wtm442

If it was burning oil, the smoke would NOT be white

What color does oil burn? Has always appeared to be white to me.

Wammy · #8 (**permalink**) 04-20-2006, 12:17 PM

I have had the white smoke from raw fuel as my float would stick on my carb and choke the engine therefore white smoke would come out of the pipes. Had some crap getting through my fuel filter, changed filter, cleaned carb , all good for now. I will go with Infletchers call.....

Good Luck

James

1bad66 · #9 (**permalink**) 04-20-2006, 12:21 PM

I sounds like a valve seal maybe. What does the smoke smell like?

lnfletcher · #10 (**permalink**) 04-20-2006, 12:29 PM

Smells more like fuel to me but not real strong. The only confusion that I have on the fuel side is that this is a complete other carb (new) and a single plane intake. Why smoke on only one side? That's why I suspected a valve guide. I'm no engine builder though! The water level does not seem to change but I have not run it very much.

1bad66 · #11 (**permalink**) 04-20-2006, 12:37 PM

How many miles on the engine? Could be rings not set well in the low compression cylinders. If you changed the carb, and it still smokes, then I am sure it is not fuel. If it idles fine, then you should not have any vacum leaks ether.

lnfletcher · #12 (**permalink**) 04-20-2006, 12:42 PM

I would think that less than 10% difference would not be rings or valve seats. Also 5 through 8 measure about the same difference. I did not include them because there is no smoke from driver's side. The engine is "supposed to be" a new rebuild but ran very little. The lowest cylinder was 7 at ~133lbs. Pressure comes up quick on 4 or 5 strokes.

blykins · #13 (**permalink**) 04-20-2006, 01:04 PM

I think generally speaking.....white smoke is generally coolant.....blue smoke is oil....black/gray is usually a rich condition.

lnfletcher · #14 (**permalink**) 04-21-2006, 09:41 AM

Well I couldn't find a coolant system tester to rent/borrow in town so I had to order one. I'll test for water leaks when I get it.

sllib · #15 (**permalink**) 04-21-2006, 04:34 PM

Buy a cheap radiator cap, drill it out and install a steel valve stem. That way you can use your air compressor to charge your system. If you remove your thermostat you can check the whole shebang.Don't use too much air or you'll rupture your shebang!!
Bill Stradtner

Buzzmobile · #16 (**permalink**) 04-21-2006, 07:09 PM

I had an exhaust leak that caused a stuck and then bent valve when the weather cooled one fall. same symptons, white smoke during start up and then got better as the car warmed. the ambient temp was warm enough not to cause a problem in the heat of the summer, but when it cooled, I got a huge backfire and then SMOKE.....

Alex Evonosky · #17 (**permalink**) 04-22-2006, 05:32 PM

I tend to side with the water getting into the cyl.

If it is water like most think, be careful as if enough water gets into the cyl. and it happens to be on the compression stroke, there is a possibility of bending a rod due to the hydrolic pressures.....

Just another .02 worth

lnfletcher · #18 (**permalink**) 04-24-2006, 09:34 AM

I thought about that but what about an excuse to buy a new tool!!!

Clois Harlan · #19 (**permalink**) 04-24-2006, 09:52 AM

Try this: First retorque your heads and manifold. Then After you have your engine running where you see some smoke, Turn off the engine and remove the spark plug wires from the pass side and spin the engine a few times then pull the plugs and see if there is any coolant in the bore. Use a long Q- Tip (like you would use to doctor your dogs ears). Check # 3 and #4 first. My guess is that your intake isn't sealing properly

lnfletcher · #20 (**permalink**) 04-26-2006, 09:27 AM

I haven't had a chance to try some of the suggestions yet. The amount of smoke is very little. It's not like it's fogging out the tail pipe, but I can see it against the black tire and if there is no breeze I see more of it. Clois, if the engine is at operating temp, will the water not just turn to steam before I can probe with a Qtip?