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Old 02-12-2008, 02:25 PM   #1
Golden Oldie
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White smoke & water from the exhaust.

Hi Guys! My first post here and sorry if this has been discussed before.

I just purchased a 1992 Astina. Only had it a few days so, I won't panic yet!

Briefly - I drove it 300k's home. Didn't overheat/use oil/water/ etc. Ran like a charm.
The next day, gave it the once over with the usual checks and can see some white smoke coming from the exhaust, plus a spray of water.
There is no smoke when the car is first started but, after about 5mins, the muffler makes a gurgle sound and although the smoke is not heavy, it still worries me.
Hitting the accelerator sprays the water like a fountain, then settles down to a few drips.
All the plugs are clean and no obvious signs of a blown head gasket, BUT! still could be. YES? It's traveled 228,000K's and don't know any of its history. The seller seemed vague, to say the least.

This granny needs advise. Hope I didn't buy a lemon.

Thanks heaps and nice to meet ya.
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Old 02-12-2008, 02:34 PM   #2
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OH! and bubbles in radiator but, no milky oil.

Thanks again
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Old 02-12-2008, 03:24 PM   #3
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is it smoke or steam????
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Old 02-12-2008, 03:48 PM   #4
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Smoke or Steam?

I was told it's called condensate. It's wet but, I was putting that down to the sprays of water. Also, being warmer days now, should there be any steam? I know there can be more in winter.

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Old 02-12-2008, 04:37 PM   #5
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white smoke is steam for a car exhaust anyway. u might have a blown headgasket, but it might not be mixing oil and water, just the water might be escaping. do you have any water on your dipstick?
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Old 02-12-2008, 04:53 PM   #6
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Blow head gasket or possibly a cracked head... not good news...

Check the oil and if its not milky then its neither... and is probably an easy fix
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Old 02-12-2008, 05:21 PM   #7
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First of all, thank you for your time and replies.

No, there is no water on the dipstick and none in the oil. No water on the spark plugs. The car is running great but, I have still be warned about the head.

Could it be just starting to wear and it's still early days before the storm? Is there a way to get it checked? I heard something about a compression test.

Do heads gradually go on a car or is it sudden?

Will short trips do more damage? Short meaning about 10k's a day.
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Old 02-12-2008, 05:26 PM   #8
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A mechanic/radiator shop should be able to pressure test the cooling system.
Is the cooling system loosing water at the same rate as it's conning out of the exhaust?
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Old 02-12-2008, 05:31 PM   #9
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Is the cooling system loosing water at the same rate as it's conning out of the exhaust?

It doesn't appear to be. I gave the system a good flush x 4 yesterday. Still haven't put any coolant in it as yet.
No overheating, even with the AC on.

Hmmm! I will go and get one of those pressure tests done.
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Old 02-12-2008, 07:46 PM   #10
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i had a 2.6 sigma once that did exactly the same thing , it was a blown head gasket , but the crack in the gasket was so small , what water was getting through was getting blown straight out the exhaust none was going into the sump
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Old 02-12-2008, 09:15 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dfvadr View Post
i had a 2.6 sigma once that did exactly the same thing , it was a blown head gasket , but the crack in the gasket was so small , what water was getting through was getting blown straight out the exhaust none was going into the sump
thats what i was referign to the water might just be getting in to the cylinders rather than mixing with oil if the head gasket blows more. another good way to check for water in the oil is to lift your oil filler cap off. if it has droplets of water go figure
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Old 02-12-2008, 10:09 PM   #12
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where in nsw are you mate? cos i know a good mechanic in wagga wagga, that's if ur nearby or don't have a good mechanic yet :P
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Old 03-12-2008, 06:31 AM   #13
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Lightbulb

You guys have been marvelous!!!

<i>i had a 2.6 sigma once that did exactly the same thing , it was a blown head gasket , but the crack in the gasket was so small , what water was getting through was getting blown straight out the exhaust none was going into the sump</i>

So, this sounds like what has happened with my car. It can only get worse but can't afford all this at the moment. I don't do a lot of driving right now so I hope it hangs in for a while.
There is no water drops under the oil cap.

Thanks for your offer of a good mechanic. I don't live near Wagga. I think I have a good mechanic. Been going to him for years but, never had any major work done.

I will go and get that pressure test thingy done and report back here.
All in all, I think I am lucky. It could be a lot worse and urgent. It looks like I may have a little time up my sleeve before dishing out the bucks.

I love this car and have done the right thing by buying it. I hope!
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Old 03-12-2008, 10:24 PM   #14
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ok ... in one short sharp sentence. You have blown your head gasket at a water gallery.

This means that the coolant system will be getting combustion chamber gasses rammed into it on every compression, detonation, and exhaust stroke and and having water sucked out of it during every intake stroke ... not too mention when the water gets over 100C and isn't pressurised enough to prevent boiling which would spray it through the crack in the gasket.

While this doesn't seem dangerous (it doesn't seem to have managed to get past the rings, and the oil rings have managed to scrape the bores well enough to prevent any contamination) you should get it checked real soon.

The sooner you get it checked the better.

mind you ... i do have a story about a friend's Suzuki GT750 (3 cylinder water cooled 2 stroke) which had 1 scored cylinder, and water on top of the other two pistons ...
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Old 04-12-2008, 08:44 AM   #15
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Thumbs up

Thanks Bear.

Mechanic had a look today and GOOD news. Head gasket is OK. He explained that condensation can build up in some cars.
My 929 used to do this but, it was a bomb. Maybe it's a MAZDA thing????

I only paid $1500 for this car and expected it to be a bit of a bomb too, but, hoping it wasn't. If you know what I mean.
Apparently I got a bargain!!! for the price. Apart from needing another front quarter panel, and some decent speakers, it's a nice little car.

Thank you to everyone for your help. I can relax now.
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Old 04-12-2008, 08:52 AM   #16
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P/S - Be warned! I'm still going to have a ton of questions.
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