white smoke-steam

[William P.]

My question is will a closed heat riser cause an engine to put out white smoke-steam out of the drivers side exhaust between gear changes and also, after the engine is hot, when the car is parked and revved to 2500 rpm. I just had new rings and bearings installed and the heads redone(seats,springs,rocker studs)and checked for cracks. Last week I also had a new heat riser installed and when I checked it I found that it does not open.I never saw the white smoke-steam before the new heat riser was installed and I had switched to non methanol fuel.

Thank you

Bill

[Michael G.]

Re: white smoke-steam

William,
Have you checked your oil for signs of water (coolant)? White smoke and steam is usually a sign of a head gasket leak. I can't see the heat riser being the cause. Mike

[William P.]

Re: white smoke-steam

Yes I have been checking the oil and it is ok.

[Ray G.]

Re: white smoke-steam

Hello;

Suggest an engine mechanic look at your vehicle.

Do you have someone in the local NCRS club ?

Ray

[Paul J.]

Re: white smoke-steam

Yes I have been checking the oil and it is ok.

Bill,

Check the coolant for oil too. It sounds like your left side head gasket is weeping a little, or the head might be warped. You might want to check the torque on the head bolts.

You said the head work was "just" done. If it were me, I go back to whoever did the head work and tell them I want it fixed for free. A lot of head gaskets out there today can't take the compression from these older engines.

It doesn't sound too bad right now, but you should watch to see if it gets worse.

Paul

[Joel T.]

Re: white smoke-steam

Bill,

Check the coolant for oil too. It sounds like your left side head gasket is weeping a little, or the head might be warped. You might want to check the torque on the head bolts.

You said the head work was "just" done. If it were me, I go back to whoever did the head work and tell them I want it fixed for free. A lot of head gaskets out there today can't take the compression from these older engines.

It doesn't sound too bad right now, but you should watch to see if it gets worse.

Paul

I agree with Paul... Steam and smoke are two different things. Your heat riser being bad (that's another question.. how do you know it is bad?) will cause you to run hot but not to blow steam or smoke for that matter. I would probably pull that left head and have it reinstalled with a new head gasket...

Good luck!!!

Joel

[Wayne L.]

Re: white smoke-steam

I recently purchased a 2" heat riser from Paragon, and while I was breaking in the engine, it did not open. I caught it right away, so the engine wasn't hurt. It did turn the heat riser blue! After it cooled down, it works right, but when it gets up to operating temperature, it will not open.

[William P.]

Re: white smoke-steam

Thank you to everyone for the comments and advice. I will bring the car back to the shop that did the work and suggest that the head be retorqued and see if that does not cure the problem. I will also have them wire the heat riser open. One other thing is my post said non methonol fuel when I meant to say non ethanol fuel, I am for ever making that mistake.

Thanks again for everyones help

Bill

[Dale S.]

Re: white smoke-steam

Bill, Keep us posted on what happens. Dale

[Jack H.]

Re: white smoke-steam

Typically, that's not a good sign. But, there are times/places where it's normal...

Specifically, if it's cold and the car has been left outside. Expect there to be moisture condensate in the exhaust from the last time the car was driven and it cooled down.

Then, on initial cold start, the exhaust stream will 'boil' off the condensed moisture inside the exhuast pipes/mufflers until all reaches thermal equilibrium and the residual moisture has been expelled. In colder climates, this is something we're used to seeing during the winter...