Hey Guys,

Been a while but life is getting in my way again (Dang kids).

I noticed a couple times the past few weeks that if i get on the max hard, say coming off an on-ramp to merge into traffic, and really dig into it i notice quite a bit of what appears to be smoke coming out the rear end. I can't quite tell if its smoke or just excess "steam" from the exhaust but it appears to linger for a moment. Its not bright white, kind off grey. Oil levels are normal so i don't *think* I'm burning oil.

What got me thinking was that now twice i've had to have the coolant air bubble tsb done (water running sound after cold startup) and a buddy said that could be a sign of a blown headgasket leaking coolant into the cylinders.

Any thoughts on this? I shudder to think what my poor lil 3.5 could be going through if that were the case.

Thanks as always!

-J

 

Are you taking it to the dealer because your mileage is under warranty?

If not, my first suggestion is don't.

The second is take it to a shop that will examine it

then i would say if it's something that could be done under warranty, then take it to stealership.

 

I was thinking dealer as i'm *just* outside my 5-year powertrain. Also, since i had it there for the gurgling before i can attempt to throw it back on them if there is a head gasket problem that they should have diagnosed this when i had it in there before while it was under warranty.

 

Could be one of the two engine catalytic converters going out. That is covered until 80k (I think) as part of the exhaust system.

 

Would that cause the goofy smoke i'm seeing? Never had a cat fail before, Max only has 54k on her.

 

Check these threads. I believe there are other as well. If I find them I will post.

http://www.6thgenmaxima.org/forums/v...hlight=clogged

Possibly the EGR valve as well.

 

Does it do it everytime? so if you get it on real hard and then do it again maybe min after does still do it because i will get some white smoke the first time but after that
it's clean also there is threads on this if i remember i think it it's fuel burning off of the cat's not sure if i expained that right

 

Pretty sure it's every time. I think i'll take her out today onto some back roads and do some testing.

 

if its under hard acceleration, might just be burnt carbon.

 

It has been discussed before here but what it is is the increased exhaust from the fuel dump you just did and you may smell rotten eggs from the catalytic converter having extra fuel/exhaust in it. I discovered if I back off the throttle gradually then I dont get the smell of rotten eggs.

 

Don't think its the cats, haven't smelled anything, just the smoke.

Its at the stealership now, so we'll see what those idiots say.

 

Also you will notice more "smoke" if it is cold outside and that is just the exhaust vapor that is normally there but the cold air makes it more noticable.

 

Easy way to check this, pull ur dipstick and see if its milky (brownish) if so then ur looking at some major engine work. If you don't see any milky stuff and ur not burning oil then ur heads and gaskets should be fine.

 

Welp just got back from the dealership. Of course "We cannot reproduce" and can't find anything wrong.

I asked to speak to the service manager and explained everything. He went and talked to the tech that worked on the car and they believe it to be from just excess carbon burning off. I said if that's the case why do i keep getting air bubbles in the cooling lines? They said it's common with the VQ motors and if it happens once, its more likely to happen again. They did the bleed for no charge because i had it there about 8-9 months ago for the same thing.

I had a coupon for a free oil change at the dealer so while it was there i had them change the oil. I wish i had seen hardincah's post before i took it in to check to see if the oil looked milky, but alas no can do.

I guess i'll just have to wait a bit and check the oil again and see if i can't find something.

So you think i was fed a crock or are they *gasp* being honest?

 

Almost forgot to thank you guys for the all the input. Everyone round these parts is always very helpful and i do appreciate it.

Thanks!

 

you just got moderated, but seriously. you guys sometimes go way overboard with the language when you talk to guys who obviously didn't know they were doing something wrong. especially when you know that no reads the (assembly instructions) rules when it comes to doing anything anymore, and not at this time of yr, x-mas.

 

IM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH STRUTS AND FRONT SUSPENSION OF THE CAR AS WELL AS NOISE FROM THE FRONT... I NEED HELP THAT CAN SUPPORT NISSAN MAXIMA 04-08 STRUT PROBLEM CLAIMS
PLEASE NEED HELP ASAP.....