new head, now white smoke out the exaust

1553 Views 9 Replies 7 Participants Last post by livnthedream, Nov 12, 2005

2geclipselove

Discussion Starter · Nov 9, 2005

When you first start the car, it doesnt matter what time of day ( rainy, damp, etc) it will blow out a SOME white smoke out the muffler. Also it will let out some water - it does NOT look like aint-freeze. Just water.

But here is the thing, if you let it idle for around 10 minutes, it will go away - the white smoke, water, everything. Is this a sign of a bad head gasket - or maybe the head was milled inncorrectly? We got the head rebuilt by professionals and a new head gaket... what could be the problem? We torqued the 10 head bolts to spec too

Save

1 - 10 of 10 Posts

pUtInExIm

· #2 · Nov 10, 2005

How many miles are on the new head? Generally right after a rebuild a motor/head will smoke some due to the assembly grease. Have you changed the oil since the rebuild?

Also how much water is coming out of the exhaust? A little bit is normal due to condensation that forms when the exhaust cools down from the previous drive.

Save

2geclipselove

Discussion Starter · #3 · Nov 10, 2005

No we have not changed the oil... Only put 18 miles on the new head. the head was bought off of a cylinder head exchange program on eBay. Here is the auction...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e....com:80/?from=R40&satitle=7997715228%09&fvi=1

When you rev the engine it just drips out water.. then when the engine is awrmed up, it clears up and no more comes out.

Save

WhiteFwdsm

· #4 · Nov 11, 2005

Well condensation/moister in the exhaust system will cause white smoke... in the mornings and at night depending on the weather conditions and how long the car has been sitting... this is normal. Once the car is warmed up and all the water/condensation is out of the exhaust system then the smoke is gone... also normal.

If the smoke continues after the fact the car is warmed up... then the recondition/rebuilt head either has some bad valve stem seals or the valve guides were not set/sitting correctly. Most people in my area who have sent their head to a head exchange to get rebuilt or got a recondition one has smoked since they put it on the car. Most head exchange places don't know how to build a DSM head correctly.

Save

takumi4G63

· #5 · Nov 11, 2005

What does it smell like? Does it smell like oil or does it just smell normal? Did you use ARP grease on everything or something similar? This grease allows for an accurate torquing of the studs or bolts, whichever you have.

Save

2geclipselove

Discussion Starter · #6 · Nov 11, 2005

It smells just like a regular car exaust... we did use ARP greese on the head bolts but how would that make it smoke?

Save

talontsi222

· #7 · Nov 12, 2005

Its not that hard to figure out what is wrong with your car... Time for a new HEADGASKET. White Smoke out exhaust, bad coolant = blown headgasket... Does your car seem slower?, do a compression test on all 4 cylinders.

Save

2geclipselove

Discussion Starter · #8 · Nov 12, 2005

We just put a new headgasket on and had the head rebuilt do you read?

Save

Asmodeus

· #9 · Nov 12, 2005

I have 3K on my new head gasket and its already leaking.
Just because its new doesn't mean you did it right.
Luckily mines a pin leak and it might use a cup of water in a month.
It doesn't show up in compression tests but you can smell burnt water in the exhaust after I pound on it.

Save

livnthedream

· #10 · Nov 12, 2005

WhiteFwdsm said:
Well condensation/moister in the exhaust system will cause white smoke... in the mornings and at night depending on the weather conditions and how long the car has been sitting... this is normal. Once the car is warmed up and all the water/condensation is out of the exhaust system then the smoke is gone... also normal.

If the smoke continues after the fact the car is warmed up... then the recondition/rebuilt head either has some bad valve stem seals or the valve guides were not set/sitting correctly. Most people in my area who have sent their head to a head exchange to get rebuilt or got a recondition one has smoked since they put it on the car. Most head exchange places don't know how to build a DSM head correctly.

i agree. water from the tailpipe is completely normal. what is the temperature outside? its possible its only moisture turning into steam from the exhaust temp being warmer than the exhaust pipe. when the pipe warms up, the smoke is gone.

Save

1 - 10 of 10 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month