White smoke>I know nothing.

doEboY · 01-02-2006, 23:28

My Escort, the one I’m trying to persuade the better half to let me swap for a vRS might have a serious problem.

In cold weather it's spurting out white smoke, I’m concerned but I’m not quite sure if it's serious. It's a 9 year old Escort Ghia, 1.6 petrol auto with 86k. When I’m driving or reversing I can see quite a bit of white smoke from a cold start. When I put my foot to the floor it doubles but seems to ease up after 3/4 miles to the point where I can't see it. I don't know if it's just down to a cold engine or something more serious. A few colleagues have mentioned the smoke when I’ve pulled away hard. Even if it's only a cold start problem I’ve not seen other cars with so much smoke behind them.

Any thoughts?

Makefish · 01-02-2006, 23:44

To me this sounds like just the normal condensation build up inside the exhast/manifold and being evaporated as the engine warms up. Some cars seem to be affected by this more than others and sounds like youv'e got one of 'em!. If 'smoke' persists after the engine has warmed through thoroughly then this may well be more serious, head gasket or cracked cylinder. If you are still concerned, I suggest you get it checked out by your local garage/mechanic.

Edit: Don't push the car too hard from a cold start as this won't help, let engine warm through be for you put your foot down!.

Ali C · 02-02-2006, 06:50

I had this prob with my vectra 2.L ( T REG )and the prob was all my ports were blocked up as the pervious owner never changed the oil on a regular basis,so it could be that

JRHartley · 02-02-2006, 07:47

I would think its mainly condensation in the exhaust (especially from the rear silencer) evapourating off. But if the smoke is slightly blue in colour then I would be looking at the valve stem oil seals.I had an escort with the same 1.6 CVH engine and similar mileage which smoked blueish smoke on start up. The valve stem oil seals had hardened especially on the exhaust valves and allowed a thin film of oil to run down the stem of the valve and go into the combustion chamber, collecting overnight. On cold startup the oil is burned off giving a blueish smoke for a short while. Once the engine has warmed up the smoke seems to disappear.

Unfortunately if you need to replace them on the CVH engine you will need to get the head off. probably about £80-100 for full gasket set and new head bolts (shouldn't reuse the old ones) and you might as well do the cambelt while you have the head off (might 'sweeten' the deal if you are selling it)

Touch wood its only condensation

Joel_vRS · 02-02-2006, 12:38

if the smoke presited past the warm up point id say you could have a more serious problem... but as it doesnt id say its just water vapour too... however if its blankets off it coudl it be a duff CAT??

Joel

kynastonp · 02-02-2006, 12:51

Unfortunately if you need to replace them on the CVH engine you will need to get the head off.
]

with the CVH you dont need to take the head off to change the valve stem oil seals ,you need a tool to compress the valve spring and some string ,take out the plug on the cylinder you want to do ,pass some of the string ( sash cord is good )into the cylinder turn the engine by hand until the string is compressed between the valves and the piston and holds the valve in place when you remove the collets

JRHartley · 02-02-2006, 14:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by kynastonp

Unfortunately if you need to replace them on the CVH engine you will need to get the head off.
]

with the CVH you dont need to take the head off to change the valve stem oil seals ,you need a tool to compress the valve spring and some string ,take out the plug on the cylinder you want to do ,pass some of the string ( sash cord is good )into the cylinder turn the engine by hand until the string is compressed between the valves and the piston and holds the valve in place when you remove the collets

True , technically you don't have to remove the head , you can use a spring compresser that screws into the top part of the head to compress the valve spring but I have heard a few stories of this method being used and a collet has dropped down one of the oil galleries ...big no no..and too risky IMHO.

***DGW*** · 02-02-2006, 14:21

My Peugeot 505 did this. The white smoke/vapour was very noticeable on cold days until the engine had warmed up. The problem was due to the head gasket developing a crack in it allowing coolant to get into one cylinder.

72degrees · 02-02-2006, 14:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGW

My Peugeot 505 did this. The white smoke/vapour was very noticeable on cold days until the engine had warmed up. The problem was due to the head gasket developing a crack in it allowing coolant to get into one cylinder.

If it is a slight weep in the head gasket you would expect to have to top up the coolant expansion tank more often than normal.

If valve guides you might expect higher oil consumption.

As to head off or not, if it is valve guides, that could depend on the mileage. I had some smoking and pinking (the oil getting in to the combustion chamber can cause pre-ignition under load) on a Manta GT/J. Head had to come off to do the guides. Once off serious cylinder bore wear was also apparent - the mechanic reckoned the car must have been clocked

He warned me that having the head off would have disturbed the ring of carbon round the top of the bores and that I would probably start to use a load of oil. After a few thousand miles it then began to smoke again worse than before. Finally had to have a recon engine.

So I would keep a close eye on coolant and oil levels for a while. In this cold weather some engines/exhaust systems need a few miles to warm up enough not to create 'steam'.

White smoke from diesel is another story

doEboY · 03-02-2006, 00:05

I've never topped up any coolant; it's fine but oil its 3L every 6 months! It's got 86k on the clock also.

This car is worth nothing really, just mean I’d be forced to get another one and with my wife's recent redundancy it's a little tight right now.

72degrees · 03-02-2006, 11:47

How many miles do you do in 6 months to get through 3 litres of oil (ignoring oil changes naturally)?

Sure the 86K on the clock is genuine ?

Some types of engine get through a fair amount of oil anyway.

Could be bore wear or valves (loss of oil past the valve stem oil seals through the valve guides).

If the car does not do a high mileage or a lot of high speed motorway work I would not worry about it too much unless the smoking gets worse. My Manta still started and ran OK even when it got to the point that it was smoking incredibly badly.

doEboY · 03-02-2006, 12:26

I do around 3.5k in 6 months, only around town with my foot often to the floor due to it's crap auto box with no kickdown and poor power. I wouldn't dream of overtaking a granny uphill for example! It's always eaten oil! i'm told it's often a charateristic of old cars. I think it's a ford EFI engine.

01-02-2006, 23:28	#1
doEboY Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: West Mids Posts: 45 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	White smoke>I know nothing. My Escort, the one I’m trying to persuade the better half to let me swap for a vRS might have a serious problem. In cold weather it's spurting out white smoke, I’m concerned but I’m not quite sure if it's serious. It's a 9 year old Escort Ghia, 1.6 petrol auto with 86k. When I’m driving or reversing I can see quite a bit of white smoke from a cold start. When I put my foot to the floor it doubles but seems to ease up after 3/4 miles to the point where I can't see it. I don't know if it's just down to a cold engine or something more serious. A few colleagues have mentioned the smoke when I’ve pulled away hard. Even if it's only a cold start problem I’ve not seen other cars with so much smoke behind them. Any thoughts?

01-02-2006, 23:44	#2
Makefish Ex-Moddy Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Hampshire Posts: 7,985 Thanks: 152 Thanked 227 Times in 168 Posts	Re: White smoke>I know nothing. To me this sounds like just the normal condensation build up inside the exhast/manifold and being evaporated as the engine warms up. Some cars seem to be affected by this more than others and sounds like youv'e got one of 'em!. If 'smoke' persists after the engine has warmed through thoroughly then this may well be more serious, head gasket or cracked cylinder. If you are still concerned, I suggest you get it checked out by your local garage/mechanic. Edit: Don't push the car too hard from a cold start as this won't help, let engine warm through be for you put your foot down!. __________________ Black magic Octy II vRS MY2008 with Maxidot ~ Xenons ~ Cruise ~ Light Assist ~ Dual Zone Climate Control ~ Rain Sensing Wipers ~ MFD2 Satellite Navigation ~ VAG Bluetooth Phone Kit ~ Milltek Exhaust with 2.75" Downpipe ~ EVOM Ram Air Intake ~ Nuespeed Shortshifter ~ Eibach Rear ARB ~ Koni FSD Dampers ~ Eibach Springs ~ Forge Front Mounted Twintercooler ~ Nuespeed Hi-Flo Intercooler Pipe ~ Nuespeed Hi-Flo Turbo Outlet Pipe ~ Eurojet PCV Valve ~ Forge DV ~Autotech Hi Volume Fuel Pump ~ Nuespeed Torque Arm Insert ~ NGK Iridium Spark plugs ~ REVO Stage II+ Software ~ Matt Black Viper Stripes! Last edited by Makefish; 01-02-2006 at 23:47.

02-02-2006, 06:50	#3
Ali C Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Dunfermline Scotland Posts: 118 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: White smoke>I know nothing. I had this prob with my vectra 2.L ( T REG )and the prob was all my ports were blocked up as the pervious owner never changed the oil on a regular basis,so it could be that

02-02-2006, 07:47	#4
JRHartley Briskodian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: North west Posts: 2,007 Thanks: 0 Thanked 13 Times in 12 Posts	Re: White smoke>I know nothing. I would think its mainly condensation in the exhaust (especially from the rear silencer) evapourating off. But if the smoke is slightly blue in colour then I would be looking at the valve stem oil seals.I had an escort with the same 1.6 CVH engine and similar mileage which smoked blueish smoke on start up. The valve stem oil seals had hardened especially on the exhaust valves and allowed a thin film of oil to run down the stem of the valve and go into the combustion chamber, collecting overnight. On cold startup the oil is burned off giving a blueish smoke for a short while. Once the engine has warmed up the smoke seems to disappear. Unfortunately if you need to replace them on the CVH engine you will need to get the head off. probably about £80-100 for full gasket set and new head bolts (shouldn't reuse the old ones) and you might as well do the cambelt while you have the head off (might 'sweeten' the deal if you are selling it) Touch wood its only condensation __________________ I'm a celebrity...... Get me out of here !!! Last edited by JRHartley; 02-02-2006 at 07:51.

02-02-2006, 12:38	#5
Joel_vRS Briskodian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Peterborough Posts: 1,658 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: White smoke>I know nothing. if the smoke presited past the warm up point id say you could have a more serious problem... but as it doesnt id say its just water vapour too... however if its blankets off it coudl it be a duff CAT?? Joel __________________ Everyday car: Pimp Black Skoda Octavia VRS, 230bhp, 250lb custom remap, blueflame stainless exhaust, lowered, Hyperboost Dump Valve, ABD tip. 1/4mile in 14.99 secs Project Car: Vintage Mk2 Golf, to be turned in to a 1/4 mile beast, 1.8T 20v engine conversion! Watch this space!!!!

02-02-2006, 12:51	#6
kynastonp Briskodian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: south wales cardiff Posts: 172 Thanks: 2 Thanked 9 Times in 8 Posts	Re: White smoke>I know nothing. Unfortunately if you need to replace them on the CVH engine you will need to get the head off. ] with the CVH you dont need to take the head off to change the valve stem oil seals ,you need a tool to compress the valve spring and some string ,take out the plug on the cylinder you want to do ,pass some of the string ( sash cord is good )into the cylinder turn the engine by hand until the string is compressed between the valves and the piston and holds the valve in place when you remove the collets

02-02-2006, 14:21	#8
*DGW* BRISKODA Staff Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Cambridgeshire Posts: 17,037 Thanks: 45 Thanked 153 Times in 115 Posts	Re: White smoke>I know nothing. My Peugeot 505 did this. The white smoke/vapour was very noticeable on cold days until the engine had warmed up. The problem was due to the head gasket developing a crack in it allowing coolant to get into one cylinder. __________________ Denis 2002 Octavia 1.8T 4X4 turbo Estate - rebreathed on by Jabba ... 31.93mpg 2007 Fabia vRS - CC, ESP, Jabba rear ARB, and full leather trim by Seat Surgeons ...48.01 mpg...

03-02-2006, 00:05	#10
doEboY Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: West Mids Posts: 45 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: White smoke>I know nothing. I've never topped up any coolant; it's fine but oil its 3L every 6 months! It's got 86k on the clock also. This car is worth nothing really, just mean I’d be forced to get another one and with my wife's recent redundancy it's a little tight right now. Last edited by doEboY; 03-02-2006 at 00:10.

03-02-2006, 11:47	#11
72degrees Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: West Midlands Posts: 89 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: White smoke>I know nothing. How many miles do you do in 6 months to get through 3 litres of oil (ignoring oil changes naturally)? Sure the 86K on the clock is genuine ? Some types of engine get through a fair amount of oil anyway. Could be bore wear or valves (loss of oil past the valve stem oil seals through the valve guides). If the car does not do a high mileage or a lot of high speed motorway work I would not worry about it too much unless the smoking gets worse. My Manta still started and ran OK even when it got to the point that it was smoking incredibly badly. __________________ Up the hill but not yet over it

03-02-2006, 12:26	#12
doEboY Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: West Mids Posts: 45 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: White smoke>I know nothing. I do around 3.5k in 6 months, only around town with my foot often to the floor due to it's crap auto box with no kickdown and poor power. I wouldn't dream of overtaking a granny uphill for example! It's always eaten oil! i'm told it's often a charateristic of old cars. I think it's a ford EFI engine.

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