C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

White Smoke Billowing from Engine

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Old Jul 2, 2004 | 04:47 AM
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Default White Smoke Billowing from Engine

Hi

When driving up long, steep hills in Hong Kong, after stopping, white smoke emerges from the engine compartment, i was quick enough to open the hood, and it looks like its coming from the left side of the car, where the black coolant tank is, if you are facing the front of the car. It is now happening more frequently than before, and almost any time i stop the car after a bit of rough driving.

Thanks
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Old Jul 2, 2004 | 08:16 AM
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Default Re: White Smoke Billowing from Engine (dailo)

What year vette? Sounds like coolant boil over. If the white smoke has a sweet odor, its antifreeze and you should also notice high coolant temps shown on the temp gauge.
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Old Jul 2, 2004 | 09:23 AM
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Default Re: White Smoke Billowing from Engine (dailo)

Try a new rad cap, or at least , test the one in there
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Old Jul 2, 2004 | 04:38 PM
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Default Re: White Smoke Billowing from Engine (dailo)

Is your car an automatic? I've seen the same happen when the tranny was overheating or if the unit has been overfilled - fluid burps out the filler tube, runs down onto the exhaust manifold and generates lots of white smoke. Would make sense if you were crawling up/down those hills in HK in traffic - been there, some of them are really steep.
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Old Jul 2, 2004 | 06:28 PM
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Default Re: White Smoke Billowing from Engine (dailo)

Coolant leak somewhere, have someone get inside and rev the engine, you should see where the coolant is coming out at.

If it was from the rear of the compartment, it might be burnt tranny fluid or a heater valve.
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Old Jul 3, 2004 | 04:30 AM
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Default Re: White Smoke Billowing from Engine (vader86)

Well, i just took it to the garage here, and they emptied the coolant tank, they said there was too much coolant in there. I had them flush the system a month ago, so i think they put too much back in, now there is no more smoke. That was pretty wierd.

Thanks for all your help
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Old Jul 4, 2004 | 08:47 AM
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Default Re: White Smoke Billowing from Engine (dailo)

Crap, well after taking out some of the coolant, smoke still persists.
Mainly when driving downhill in second gear, and then coming to a stop.
It smells more of a burning rubber than a sweeet smell... then again i couldnt tell the difference between the two, (transmission or cooland fluid)

Thanks
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Old Jul 4, 2004 | 10:24 AM
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Default Re: White Smoke Billowing from Engine (dailo)

Whats your coolant temp when white smoke appears ?
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Old Jul 4, 2004 | 12:47 PM
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Default Re: White Smoke Billowing from Engine (AGENT 86)

Anywhere from 180-260
happens frequently
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Old Jul 4, 2004 | 02:35 PM
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Default Re: White Smoke Billowing from Engine (dailo)

260 is smoking hot. If your rad cap is bad your coolant will boil earlier and let the pressure and steam out. Try a new cap
Cheap and effective
Look for crap between rad and condensor and check to see if all fans work.
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Old Jul 4, 2004 | 02:37 PM
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Default Re: White Smoke Billowing from Engine (dailo)

Well, i just took it to the garage here, and they emptied the coolant tank, they said there was too much coolant in there. I had them flush the system a month ago, so i think they put too much back in, now there is no more smoke. That was pretty wierd.

Thanks for all your help
There is too much coolant in there because your rad has puked into it.
Now your coolant is low and will overheat faster. I keep thinking cap is bad
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Old Jul 4, 2004 | 09:41 PM
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Default Re: White Smoke Billowing from Engine (AGENT 86)

The Cap is fine, I think, im no expert here, however...
When the smoke comes from the car, its coming not from the actual coolant tank, but from everywhere,when sitting inside the car, it even looks as if its coming from under the car. Could just be the wind blowing it, but when I open the hood, it looks to be coming from the left side, if you are facing the front of the car, where the coolant tank area is.
im so confused......
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