1987 Corvette, White Smoke - need help!!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
1987 Corvette, White Smoke - need help!!
70,500 miles on 1987 vette, then last night I stepped on gas and she sounded horrible. Came to a stop and small plumes of white smoke out the tailpipe. The rest of the night, 20 miles, she did not run well and I am back at home with her.
On diigital dash RPM's are at 6-7 when idleing
Thoughts?
1. Blown Head Gasket?
2.
3.
Will be taking to American Corvette for diagnosis shortly.
On diigital dash RPM's are at 6-7 when idleing
Thoughts?
1. Blown Head Gasket?
2.
3.
Will be taking to American Corvette for diagnosis shortly.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
1987 - White Smoke - need advice
Just bought a C4 three weeks ago with 70,400 miles on her. Everything seemed to check out, passed emissions, no damage, carfax was okay, even a mechanic checked her out - and rendered her fine......then yesterday.....
Driving on highway at 55mph when there was a hint of oil smell, then she began to sound rough. When pressing on gas pedal there was a noticeable loss in power. As I came to a stop I noticed some white smoke (not much, but some) out her tailpipe. When I had a chance I opened the hood - it smelled oily and she did not sound well.
Granted 21 years old, anything can go wrong at any time and it would not be a surprise, but I find it hard to believe that the dealer had no idea.
Made it home 20 miles but will be taking it to shop for repair/diagnosis.
Thoughts?
Head Gasket?
Coolant issue?
Driving on highway at 55mph when there was a hint of oil smell, then she began to sound rough. When pressing on gas pedal there was a noticeable loss in power. As I came to a stop I noticed some white smoke (not much, but some) out her tailpipe. When I had a chance I opened the hood - it smelled oily and she did not sound well.
Granted 21 years old, anything can go wrong at any time and it would not be a surprise, but I find it hard to believe that the dealer had no idea.
Made it home 20 miles but will be taking it to shop for repair/diagnosis.
Thoughts?
Head Gasket?
Coolant issue?
Last edited by completelyvetted; Apr 2, 2008 at 02:16 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
White smoke is most often "burning water" (steam). It is a "coolant problem", because it isn't staying where it belongs. Most likely you have blown a head gasket. Look for oil in the water and vice versa. Since it wasn't making much "smoke" it probably hasn't got too severe, yet. You can do a compression check and/or a CO in the coolant test, to confirm. Are you loosing coolant, but can't see where?
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 10,348
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From: Franklin, Tennessee NCM Life Member #1631
Cruise-In VI, VII & XII Veteran
St Jude Donor '07-'08-'09
Welcome aboard. Sorry I'm no help with your issue but, I will move this thread to the C4 Tech Section where someone should be able to provide assistance.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Athens AL
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Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Carmichael ca
Did some one wake up on the wrong side of the Death Star this morning?
Back to the new guys problem. Did it overheat? Is it low on coolent? Is the "smoke" steamy or a very light blue smoke. You could try a search of this section for possibilities.
Don't let the cranky posters bother you, Paul
Back to the new guys problem. Did it overheat? Is it low on coolent? Is the "smoke" steamy or a very light blue smoke. You could try a search of this section for possibilities.
Don't let the cranky posters bother you, Paul
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 4,763
Likes: 2
From: Connectivette
It would be nice if you could fill out the rest of the information on your profile.....you may have a neighbor on the forum who could swing by and be of service.
My preliminary guess would be a head gasket as well.
What have you checked for so far.....
Drain oil?
Look at coolant level?
Inspected spark plugs?
My preliminary guess would be a head gasket as well.
What have you checked for so far.....
Drain oil?
Look at coolant level?
Inspected spark plugs?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,161
Likes: 1,733
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Did some one wake up on the wrong side of the Death Star this morning?
Back to the new guys problem. Did it overheat? Is it low on coolent? Is the "smoke" steamy or a very light blue smoke. You could try a search of this section for possibilities.
Don't let the cranky posters bother you, Paul
Back to the new guys problem. Did it overheat? Is it low on coolent? Is the "smoke" steamy or a very light blue smoke. You could try a search of this section for possibilities.
Don't let the cranky posters bother you, Paul
Hows about that?
Last edited by vader86; Apr 2, 2008 at 05:41 PM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Don't care about others, just need vette fixed,
[QUOTE=Paul Ruggeri;1564833341]Did some one wake up on the wrong side of the Death Star this morning?
Back to the new guys problem. Did it overheat? Is it low on coolent? Is the "smoke" steamy or a very light blue smoke. You could try a search of this section for possibilities.
Coolant temperature was about 233 before pulling into repair shop last night. No it did not overheat.
Back to the new guys problem. Did it overheat? Is it low on coolent? Is the "smoke" steamy or a very light blue smoke. You could try a search of this section for possibilities.
Coolant temperature was about 233 before pulling into repair shop last night. No it did not overheat.
