17 replies to this topic

[sheepy89]

i have a standard 998cc mayfair (1986).

i have noticed recently there is a lot of whitey / bluey smoke coming out of my exhaust. is this normal? i was thinking it is just because the weather is cold at the moment but just thought id check to be on the safe side

cheers

sean

[glyn]

if its white its ok if its blue its burning oil. keep an eye on your oil level see how much its loosing.

[tom3112]

might be your piston rings

[Carlos W]

Is it using any water/coolant? How much oil is it using?

[xBR4DLEY]

Check what colour it really is and then report back.
As said blue is oil and white could just be moisture etc.

[sheepy89]

it is using more water recently. not sure on the oil tho not checked in a while. think last time i checked was bout 3 weeks ago and the oil was fine

[sonikk4]

If its the colours you have described then it sounds like the head gasket is on its way out.

As mentioned check your fluid levels and carry out a compression check to be safe. White coloured smoke is normally water based, blue is oil, grey/black fuel.

[sheepy89]

the smoke is white mainly with a very slight blue tint

[xBR4DLEY]

the smoke is white mainly with a very slight blue tint

So its water based (white) , mixed with oil (blue)

[sheepy89]

yeh water based with a little oil thrown in there. im guessing that its not a good sign?

[glyn]

if its using water you need to have a look if you can see where from. it might even be from the overflow from the radiator you could try running the pipe from the overflow to a bottle to see if it collects any. but if you cant see where it going then its probably not good!!!!

Edited by glyn, 21 January 2011 - 10:10 PM.

[HUBBA.HUBBA]

White smoke is water, blue is oil if you have both then oil and water may be getting in the bores.
Have a look at your oil cap on your rocker cover, if there is a white gundge instead of oil it probably is head gasket (water getting into your oil ). Also have a look at the radiator cap for any sign of oil.

Edited by HUBBA.HUBBA, 21 January 2011 - 10:37 PM.

[sheepy89]

so then next question. if the head gasket is only just goin how long have i got roughly b4 it goes kaput?

if it is only just going can i change it myself or do i have to get a garage to do it so the head gets skimmed?


cheers

[minimalal]

you dont really want to drive it at all if its going unless you desperatly need to, youll know itll start going when you start to lose power and it runs terribly and overheats
its not a bad job to do yourself depending how mechanically capable you are, and any machinist company should do a head skim, my local did it for £40. the head doesnt have to be skimmed if your car hasnt overheated massivly as it may not have warped, but is better to do so, so is upto you depending on time/cost etcc

[glyn]

chat to you later if your at your mums tonight, iv just replaced mine as it went between 2&3. you are better getting your head skimmed as you dont know the history of the car.