White Smoke

I got my fuel filter replaced a few weeks ago because I was having some starting issues. I also had my Intake gasket replaced a couple of days back now whenever I start the car (3.8, 98) I get a small cloud of white smoke. What could this possibly be? :confused:

White smoke is caused from burning coolant.

Sounds like your intake gasket job perhaps didnt get done properly?

What all was done? Were the lower gaskets changed as well or just the upper gaskets? What about the upper manifold itself?

White smoke--I mean REALLY white smoke, is definetly brning coolant. :banghead:

Sorry for the bad news. :(

White smoke is caused from burning coolant.

Sounds like your intake gasket job perhaps didnt get done properly?

What all was done? Were the lower gaskets changed as well or just the upper gaskets? What about the upper manifold itself?


Thanks for the fast reply...

Upper, lower gaskets, and manifold were replace. It isnt a lot of smoke, its just seems like everything should be fine. I dont see anything leaking on the outside of the manifold though...:confused:

usually you would smell coolant burning out the exhaust, that classic sweet smell...but i have no idea if dexcool has the same characteristic odor when burned. Dont mistake it for steam if its a wet or humid/cool day....bring the car in and have them pressureize the system and check for leaks, sldo keep an eye on the coolant level....

Thanks for the advice... Yeah its been pretty cool here in cleveland. I'll take it in and keep you guys updated...

I have a similar situation developing on my 2000 Intrigue (3.5L). Every once in a while at startup i get a big puff of white smoke out the exhaust. My mechanic thinks it could be the begining of head gasket leak. I have to add coolant once every 2-3 months.

I have a similar situation developing on my 2000 Intrigue (3.5L). Every once in a while at startup i get a big puff of white smoke out the exhaust. My mechanic thinks it could be the begining of head gasket leak. I have to add coolant once every 2-3 months.

Bar's Leak is a damn good fix. My pick-up was really sucking in coolant and it fixed it.

while most people wouldn't usually recommend additives, I have heard that GM puts a bottle of 'bars leaks' in every vehicle with an aluminum engine when its made. Im not sure if this is 100% true but Ive heard that from many mechanics...Theres an aluminum powder kind of sealer that you should avoid at all costs...it tends to plug up the system.

So Ive taken my intrigue to a mechanic and after a week its not coolant its burning but OIL!!! :banghead:
What could this possibly be and what steps would you guys suggest for troubleshooting?

So Ive taken my intrigue to a mechanic and after a week its not coolant its burning but OIL!!! :banghead:
What could this possibly be and what steps would you guys suggest for troubleshooting?
How much oil?

about a quart every 3 weeks

a quart every 3 weeks isn't a hell of a lot to worry about...I have had cars that burnt a lot worse. Change the oil as often as you should, try a slightly heavier oil (maybe a 5/10w40 instead of a w30) Also, someone should chime in but does a stuck PCV valve contribute to oil burning?

It could not hurt to change the PCV. Typically if they rattle when shaken they are ok, but are cheap enough to change to see if it is your problem.

It could not hurt to change the PCV. Typically if they rattle when shaken they are ok, but are cheap enough to change to see if it is your problem.

You have a point. Could the pcv valve have anything to do with the egr valve?

No, they are two different systems.

1 quart every 3 weeks is not at all acceptable. Even with 5w30 (the recommended oil) in the LX5 (a known oil-burner), that is still way too high. You may have bad valve cover gaskets, which would allow oil to seep out of the engine and drip on the exhaust manifold, but that wouldn't explain the oil in the exhaust. You may want to try some engine cleaners, though I've heard of them making problems worse sometimes.

Could be the oil control rings are stuck. Lubegard sells an engine additive that may unfreeze them. Add some to the oil and then redline it (or close) for a 10 seconds and then take your foot of the pedal. Do it several times.

sure is sounds like it's white smoke a blown head gasket or tranny module bad thems the to that will do white smoke.