Little bit of smoke...

[TheBackyardDIYer]

I was driving my van today and noticed some smoke coming from the van...from the drivers seat it looked like from the exhaust, but I'm not sure as I was only looking in the side mirror. I had been driving for about 40 minutes on the highway and noticed it at a traffic light. I went to the next store and between the store and my location there was another traffic light...more smoke. When I got to the store to get out and check, there was no more smoke...and hasn't been since?! I did put some B-12 Chemtool in it yesterday as wiswind said he had some good luck with it. The van also seems to be running a lot rougher than usual...on take-off from a dead stop I can feel a little shutter, almost misfire maybe (I did get misfire #5 code the other day)? Never noticed it before...could it be the B-12 cleaning out the junk and running it through the system or is it just coincidence and the problem is something else? I checked the oil and it looks good from what I can see, and the coolant tank has coolant in it...it's a little low, but I haven't added any as I plan on flushing it in the next week.

[mechhound]

What color was the smoke, white, blue, or black?

[TheBackyardDIYer]

White

[northern piper]

like cloudy white and puffy? Hows the coolant level? Have you done a blackstone labs test on your oil?

[TheBackyardDIYer]

[quote=northern piper;7108843]like cloudy white and puffy? Hows the coolant level?/QUOTE]

It looked like when you start it when its cold out is the best way I can think to describe it. It wasn't a lot, but enough to notice. The coolant is a little low, but it has been for a while. It doesn't seem to be any lower than usual though. The coolant reservoir is brownish in color which is rust from the system?

Let me ask another question. When I start the engine, I can hear liquid running through the engine compartment...is that normal? It seems like that would indicate air in the system. And I have also noticed that when I drive on the highway, the engine temp stays very low...could the thermostat be stuck open causing this?

And no I have not had the oil tested yet.

[northern piper]

it isn't unusual to hear coolant flowing around but I would certainly check the thermostat. I'd go so far as say replace it and do a flush/fill if you don't know when it's been done. The reservoir may have some rusty colour. It really shouldn't but most almost always do. I'd also really recommend a sample to blackstone. They can identify so many things and also, if you comment on symptoms like the smoke situation, they'll provide further info. I actually got a phone call from one of their evaluation people asking some questions and "following up" with me regarding some readings they saw. Quite good customer service I'd say!

[TheBackyardDIYer]

I'll give it a good flush and change the thermostat this week...hopefully. I woke up this morning to snow, which for you northerners isn't anything, but I live down in Georgia and it never snows. Plus it's supposed to get a lot worse tonight and tomorrow and the whole world seems to shut down around here...

I have read about the Blackstone tests, and based on what you have said I'll give it a shot. Hopefully it will come back OK. With the customer service you mention, I'm definitely willing to try. Thanks for you help.

Lee

[northern piper]

1 thing I forgot to mention is I"ve always used OEM thermostats. They're pretty inexpensive and I've had and heard of problems with aftermarket ones.. my

[TheBackyardDIYer]

While we're at it...I know wiswind says to use G-05, is that Vavoline Zerex the only kind available? It is all I can find, or are there other recommended brands?

And I will stick with the OEM thermostat. Thanks