Hey guys,

I've got a little question for you. When I'm driving around town and I really slam on the gas I get a puff of white smoke out of the exhaust. It's not a huge cloud, but it's definitely noticable. I did a search, and everyone seemed to have problems on startup, or when the engine was cold. However, this happens when the engine is warm, and it usually only happens once during the drive. The first time I noticed it out of the rear-view I thought I was seeing things, so I punched it again. Didn't happen. I hope this means it's not a leak, because if it was, wouldn't it happen every time I floor it? I dunno.

I'm hoping that this is just condensation sitting somewhere in the exhaust, and I'm just helping it leave. I haven't noticed any excessive oil burning, or any other symptoms. It only does it when I floor it, so it's not a head gasket.(I hope) The only other thing is that when I pulled the codes I got the infamous 0304. If it was running lean would it smoke more often? I'm hoping for the best, but who knows?

By the way, it's a '96 with 96k on it.

 

What type of fuel are you burning? How old are the spark plugs? Is their a slight hesitation before you engine takes off (after the wot)?

Frank

 

I use 93 octane, I changed the spark plugs two months ago, and there doesn't seem to be any hesitation.

 

Were your old plugs clean? Have you cleaned your throttle body? White smoke is normally unburnt fuel.

 

Black smoke is usually unburnt fuel.
White Smoke is either water vapor or coolant.

 

I thought black smoke was from carbon deposits....

 

I would pull your plugs and take a look at them, just to be safe.

 

Thanks for the responses guys.

Total newbie question though....
What am I looking for on my plugs? I have no problem pulling my plugs...except that back bank (what a pain) Do I need to pull all of them, or just randomly check 2 or 3? Does anyone have any pictures of what they should look like? Otherwise I'll just take pictures of the ones I pull and post them.

Thanks again.

 

I have the same exact symptoms on my car... I just played it off at this point in life. Consensus seems to be moisture, thats all, i have 164,500 miles, i cant complain. I also learned in my Chem class today (yeah, i go to a business school...) but mobil high-test uses grain alcohol to raise octane, which adds moisture to the exhaust. argue what you will, but it is a fact, and may only add to the white "smoke" or steam. I only use Mobil, so i'm going to switch and see if it helps.

Hall

 

Just trying to confirm the obvious, how are your weather conditions? Warm, cold?

If you noticed it during cold weather, exhaust temps are above the 300C range, dump hot air into cool atmosphere air and you get a white cloud ... nothing serious. If you have warm weather though, then you might have a problem.

 

Here's a link that should help you out.

Spencer

 

Yeah, the reason I waited to post this, is because it's been kind of chilly around here, and I wanted to rule that out. It's been about 60 lately, so I'd assume that's warm enough.


Hey, thanks! That really does help, but it looks like the plugs are okay. (Then again they only have 1500 miles on them.

I think I might just write this one off to driving like an old lady on a Sunday, and then driving like a 16 y/o in dad's Ferrari. But, either way I've gotta change out that KS ASAP. I know the 'limp home' mode isn't good, but can prolonged driving cause problems? I'm still not sure when it went bad, since it doesn't trip the CEL.