White smoke at startup?

[GeoFX]

I've been experiencing a lot of white smoke billowing out of the tailpipes during startup for around the last 6 months. It will smoke for a couple of minutes until the engines warms up. This seems to happen after the car's been sitting out overnight. I've heard of this happening when cars are sitting out in cold weather but this is Houston so it never really gets cold. It doesn't happen when I start the car up in the parking garage at work after sitting for 10 hours either.

The car is a 97 with only 64K miles on it. It's had the EGR and PCV valves replaced last year along with the timing belt. It seemed to get worse after putting in Auto-RX but I'm in the rinse phase now (for people who are familiar with the process). On the advise of one mechanic, I ran through a bottle of Lucas oil treatment which didn't work (it's supposed to reseal gaskets sometimes).

Any ideas? Is this "normal" when the car gets old? I don't really buy into the idea that this is "normal" as it's just started happening recently and is a pretty unsatisfying answer. If so, why? I was thinking it could possibly be valve stem or head gasket leaks but wouldn't these cause smoke to be coming out continuously? Or is it just condensation/vaporization process in the exhaust a lot of people seem to espouse (if so, why has it recently started)?

Much appreciated!

[yodawill2000]

Kinda weird .I'm in the DFW area and mine just has a bit of condensation burn off when its chilly out.Does the smoke have a smell too it ??

[driverdriver]

Can you smell coolant in the exhaust?

The J30 does give off quite a bit of water vapour when the weather turns cold. I've had this for years. Its normal.

[GeoFX]

I haven't had a chance to smell the smoke yet. However, remember that this is Houston so it really doesn't get too cold here. It was doing it in the middle of summer as well. Why would it suddenly start doing this recently?

What should I be smelling for? Sweet smell = coolant, Gasoline smell = fuel tank leak?

[driverdriver]

sweet smell is coolant.

keep in mind that water is sometimes present in gas and condensation can occur in fuel tanks, especially if you consistently let the fuel tank run till below half empty before filling up.

Is your car throwing any codes?

[GerryO]

No over-heating or loss of coolant issues? 64K miles is very low number.

How often has the coolant been changed (hopefully every couple of years)? It gets corrosive with age, whether the car is driven or not, developing an ammonia-like odor and attacking aluminum parts/heads. There is a simple test for oil in the coolant, along with checking the underside of the oil filler cap for a muddy brown appearance.

Mine has always put a fair amount of vapor out the tailpipe in the mornings.

[kbflip02]

I've been experiencing a lot of white smoke billowing out of the tailpipes during startup for around the last 6 months. It will smoke for a couple of minutes until the engines warms up. This seems to happen after the car's been sitting out overnight. I've heard of this happening when cars are sitting out in cold weather but this is Houston so it never really gets cold. It doesn't happen when I start the car up in the parking garage at work after sitting for 10 hours either.

The car is a 97 with only 64K miles on it. It's had the EGR and PCV valves replaced last year along with the timing belt. It seemed to get worse after putting in Auto-RX but I'm in the rinse phase now (for people who are familiar with the process). On the advise of one mechanic, I ran through a bottle of Lucas oil treatment which didn't work (it's supposed to reseal gaskets sometimes).

Any ideas? Is this "normal" when the car gets old? I don't really buy into the idea that this is "normal" as it's just started happening recently and is a pretty unsatisfying answer. If so, why? I was thinking it could possibly be valve stem or head gasket leaks but wouldn't these cause smoke to be coming out continuously? Or is it just condensation/vaporization process in the exhaust a lot of people seem to espouse (if so, why has it recently started)?

Much appreciated!

with all of my J30s ive never had this problem...that auto RX stuff basically cleans out the fuel system though...is it possible its still burning things up???have you thought about running seafoam?thats why ive always used in all my vehicles and ill personally swear by the stuff...well that and royal purple...lol...if your still having problems shoot me an email...if your near my side of town id be happy to take a look at it for you

[gr8scott72]

with all of my J30s ive never had this problem...that auto RX stuff basically cleans out the fuel system though...is it possible its still burning things up???have you thought about running seafoam?thats why ive always used in all my vehicles and ill personally swear by the stuff...well that and royal purple...lol...if your still having problems shoot me an email...if your near my side of town id be happy to take a look at it for you

Auto-RX goes in the crankcase not the fuel tank.

[Ebbtide]

If you don't have coolant loss I would suspect a leaking valve. When you shut your car off oil can leak into the cylinder. It will burn white-ish blue until it burns off.

I'm not an expert, but with low miles and age it is possible that the valves are dirty from sitting for long periods of time (giving any carbon, fuel, and oil deposits a long time to harden) and are not seating properly.

[GeoFX]

Thanks for the replies guys. This morning I took a sniff at the exhaust fumes and really couldn't smell anything out of the ordinary. A little like gas but that's really about it. Then again, I don't really know what the "sweet" smell of coolant burning in the exhaust is supposed to smell like...if someone can describe it it'll be very useful (e.g., like burning molasses).

No coolant loss after looking under the hood today. Last time I changed it was April 2007. No codes as well.

kbflip, you got email. Note that the only time I get the billowing white smoke is when it's been sitting overnight so we may be waiting awhile before you see it. :P

I'm not sure about the leaking valve...it recently started happening a few months ago. I am getting a rattle in my exhaust when accelerating hard but I'm pretty sure it's the heat shields.

It's pretty perplexing actually. I really don't mind the white smoke if it's not a symptom of a more serious (and expensive) problem. Kinda embarrasing though!

Thanks!

[yodawill2000]

If no coolant loss over that period I would bet on the valve issue.A strong dose of seafoam or the likes is in order.Kinda fun too .. hehe think it smokes now !!!! It will help loosen up any carbon that may be keeping the valve from seating properly thus letting oil into the Cylinder after shutdown.

[coolyun_98]

you mean valve stem seal?cheap dirty fix - oil additive, Auto-rx, BG quick clean, BG engine purge, comprehensive fix - take off valve cover, cam and other stuff. Pull the valve spring off while the cylinder is charged to 100psi. Than pull the valve stem seal off.

[gr8scott72]

If no coolant loss over that period I would bet on the valve issue.A strong dose of seafoam or the likes is in order.Kinda fun too .. hehe think it smokes now !!!! It will help loosen up any carbon that may be keeping the valve from seating properly thus letting oil into the Cylinder after shutdown.

Yeah, do it at night or else the neighbors will call the fire dept on you. hehe

[GeoFX]

I took the car to the mechanic and he claims it's the valve stem seals as well. Since Auto-RX doesn't seem to be helping, I guess I can either live with it or try to replace them. The mechanic quoted me $2300 for the job (seems excessive). Anyone know what is a fair price for this work?

Thanks!

[gr8scott72]

I took the car to the mechanic and he claims it's the valve stem seals as well. Since Auto-RX doesn't seem to be helping, I guess I can either live with it or try to replace them. The mechanic quoted me $2300 for the job (seems excessive). Anyone know what is a fair price for this work?

Thanks!

How far into the Auto-RX treatment are you? It takes a full wash then rinse cycle before you will see any major improvement.

[GeoFX]

i'm about 1/2 through with the rinse phase now....you think that it'll still help at this point?

[gr8scott72]

i'm about 1/2 through with the rinse phase now....you think that it'll still help at this point?

Yes.

You might even want to repeat process.

Lots cheaper and easier than $2,200!