For a change, the "stealership" got it right. Afraid to ask what they charged him for that diagnosis.
C5 white smoke
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C5 white smoke
My corvette's outer tie rod just worn out. after i brought it to the shop, they told me i might have to change rack and pinion. but the reason i brought it in was coz i saw some white smoke coming out from my front wheels. and those smells oil. i am not sure what that was. the only code i am getting is C0584, and i know the code is for short circuit on suspension. i guess it might be the rack and pinion leak. but i have never seen any liquid residue on the floor, even i left it over the weekend on the floor.
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From: Columbia SC
Please clarify when you saw this "smoke". Like after a drive? Was it coming out from behind the wheel and exiting between the tire and the fender?
Why did the shop say the rack might need to be changed?
Why did the shop say the rack might need to be changed?
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i brought it to the shop, i drove around the block, to show the mechanic about the worn tie rods. seemingly the power steer is not very responsive at that point ( i guess it might coz the front tie rod is too lose). so the mechanic to me, that is the rack and pinion might be leaking too.
thank you very much for your input!
Last edited by helios_1215; Jun 22, 2013 at 11:55 AM.
Le Mans Master
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From: Columbia SC
The white "smoke" could be a coolant leak. Check you coolant level so we can rule that in or out. Suggest on your next drive you pull over and open the hood to see if you can further identify what may be causing it.
Please confirm, the smoke is coming from BOTH front tires?
Please confirm, the smoke is coming from BOTH front tires?
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The white "smoke" could be a coolant leak. Check you coolant level so we can rule that in or out. Suggest on your next drive you pull over and open the hood to see if you can further identify what may be causing it.
Please confirm, the smoke is coming from BOTH front tires?
Please confirm, the smoke is coming from BOTH front tires?
Le Mans Master
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St. Jude Donor '12
Is your car and auto or a stick? The radiator for an A4 is over $300.00 alone from discounted sites, so assuming a dealer mark up it is not an awful price.
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Melting Slicks
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Helios, don't beat yourself up about taking it to a shop. My dad was a lawyer, so car repair was not something I learned growing up. I have taught myself a lot, but I have found that when you do your own work you need the following 3 things:
1) a second car to drive while you work on the first one
2) Knowledge resources on what to do (a repair manual, this Forum and YouTube can cover most of that)
3) A garage bay to work in ( a lot of things can be done in a driveway, but not if it rains for a week straight)
Your local community college probably has automotive courses, if you want a more formal education. The program here is quite large and includes partnerships with Auto manufacturers for brand specific certification (Toyota, etc).
Back to your recent repair, as an example of the cost savings, both RockAuto.com and CorvetteCentral.com will sell you AC Delco (GM official parts) tie rod ends for a C5 for about $50 each. That would have saved you at least $150 on the tie rod cost, plus the labor savings, so if you like the idea of working on your can, it is worth learning.
1) a second car to drive while you work on the first one
2) Knowledge resources on what to do (a repair manual, this Forum and YouTube can cover most of that)
3) A garage bay to work in ( a lot of things can be done in a driveway, but not if it rains for a week straight)
Your local community college probably has automotive courses, if you want a more formal education. The program here is quite large and includes partnerships with Auto manufacturers for brand specific certification (Toyota, etc).
Back to your recent repair, as an example of the cost savings, both RockAuto.com and CorvetteCentral.com will sell you AC Delco (GM official parts) tie rod ends for a C5 for about $50 each. That would have saved you at least $150 on the tie rod cost, plus the labor savings, so if you like the idea of working on your can, it is worth learning.