warm weather but visible exhaust

[OptimusPrime]

Today was moderately warm here in the central valley of California. I would say the temperature was in the high 60's to low 70's this afternoon. Though the weather was nice, I could see my exhaust was very visible. It wasnt a blue or dark color but merely a almost odorless light grey. I replaced my MAF last week with another used one and from that my car runs 500% better. I tried to smell the exhaust and I am no expert but I smelled what i thought was a lite gassy smell. Any ideas? Should I be worried?

Some insight on my car is it is a 1996 with 66,000 miles on it. I have never checked the plugs since I bought it with 60,000 miles (I have been meaning to do this but put it off because of the time it will take to get the darn plug covers off.) The car gets its regular oil change and I just switched over to Mobile 1 syn. on the last change. I however did not do a oil flush when I had this done and I dont know what kind of oil was used prior to me buying the car. The fuel filter and air filter were replaced with Napa - Gold replacements at 65,000 miles.

[Jesda]

Cant be head gaskets at that mileage and age.Does it fume the whole time or just a few minutes after startup?

[elwesso]

I think its normal...

My old Q did that a lot..... I could see the exhaust at times even when it was warm...

Part of the emissions of the cats is steam...

This Q doesnt do it so much, since i dont have cats

[OptimusPrime]

Cant be head gaskets at that mileage and age.Does it fume the whole time or just a few minutes after startup?

Not all the time Jesda. Its not over-whelming by any means. I just thought that with the way the weather was that it shouldn't be doing that. I would say when I actually noticed it and inspected it the car had just been driven something around a mile after it was parked for 3 hours. This was the point in the day when the old MAF would give me the most grief. Thats why I am concerned. If everybody here thinks that I am too sensitive with it then that would make me much more comfortable. I am by no means a mechanic, just don't want to have the extra costs for this car which can be avoided.

[Q451990]

Didn't you guys just have some rain out there? Seems like a radio talk show host that I listen to said that he was amazed at the state of emergency over a rain storm while he was visiting San Fran. earlier this week. In any case, I see my exhaust on both Q's even up into the mid 70s when it's humid (almost every day here). If you smelled gas in the exhaust shortly after start-up, that's probably from the warm-up enrichment cycle.

In short I think you're fine...

Heath

[3rd Q]

I've had 3 Qs- all have done it. I also think you're fine- unless it is a continous thing and you notice your coolant level dropping. In that case it could be your head gaskets.

Paul

[SUITE E]

I am in SoCal also. Mine does it, but it is normal. water is a byproduct of combustion and when it exits the exhaust pipe on a dry day it is readily absorbed by the surrounding air. If the air is laden with moisture, even 50% then it takes a second or two to be absorbed. You are kind of making fog as the exhaust gas at the exit point is not very hot, and the temp matches the dew point, etc. After you have run it a while it should be less noticable.

[Alan]

Hey O P ,I'm looking at a '95Q in the SF Bay area with 65K. Would you mind telling me what you paid for your car? Or maybe just your thoughts on pricing.Thx, Alan

[gniknave]

Also in California and same problem. However I actually took it to a shop fearing it was the head gasket. Come to find out it's normal. Like Wes said, the shop said it was the cats. Usually I don't see it right at startup, but once the car is warm I'd see it, then once I drive off and drive for a few minutes it seems to go away or just happen intermittently.

Same smell you discribed though I know mine was running a little more on the lean side because I had to replace my drivers side o2 sensor. Once I did that, the smoke was a little less noticeable.

[gniknave]

Didn't you guys just have some rain out there? Seems like a radio talk show host that I listen to said that he was amazed at the state of emergency over a rain storm while he was visiting San Fran. earlier this week. In any case, I see my exhaust on both Q's even up into the mid 70s when it's humid (almost every day here). If you smelled gas in the exhaust shortly after start-up, that's probably from the warm-up enrichment cycle.

In short I think you're fine...

Heath

Also true, mine was excessive on the days it rained here. Not sure if you guys got the rain in the Central Valley like we got it here in the Bay Area.

[OptimusPrime]

I paid slightly less then 7k for it. Long story short I won a honda accord off of autotrader.com. When I went to LA to pick it up the wholesaler notified me that the transmission was slipping. So instead of getting a negative feedback they sold me the Q for cheap. It is flawless except for 3 things. There is a scar on the drivers side door panel. That seems to be from the previous owners arm resting on it and wearing it. The other 2 things are the slightly scratched front and rear bumpers.

Overall I think I got a steal on it. I will take some photos tomorrow when there is some light and post them.

[JT_MONEY_2004]

Cleaner's like chevron techron fuel system cleaner will also contribute to visible exhaust... soon goes away w/ next fill up.

[Alan]

Thanks for the info OP, much appreciated.

Nik, If you do not move to California, you are CRAZY!!

[gniknave]

Thanks for the info OP, much appreciated.

Nik, If you do not move to California, you are CRAZY!!

? I've been here 12 years...

[Alan]

I guess I got confused?