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White smoke (new thread)

  • 13-01-2010 6:55pm
    #1
    cavanmaniac
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 345 ✭✭


    I have an old '97 Mazda banger that's started blowing billowy, petrol-smelling white smoke on start up, usually when car has been idle for some time or left overnight. It's gone after about 30 seconds and car drives normally with no issues.

    I googled possible causes and learned that it's almost certainly linked to the coolant, and now I am noticing the coolant level in the reservoir is diminishing fairly quickly alright.

    Is this a problem that is worth fixing and is this, as I fear, a serious or expensive illness for the car? And will the car be alright if I top up with coolant to get me to a garage and get it looked at properly if so?


Comments

  • #2
    Anan1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,815 ✭✭✭✭Anan1


    It's most likely the head gasket. That said, it is possibly something else - for example a coolant leak along with worn valve guides. How's the oil? Keep the coolant topped up and you should be fine driving it to a garage.


  • #3
    peasant
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,819 ✭✭✭✭peasant


    If it smells of petrol, it could very well be unburned petrol.

    In old cars I would have said not to use too much choke ...in a newer car (and in that context 97 is new :D) it's probably the automated choke that's overfuelling.


  • #4
    polyfusion
    Closed Accounts Posts: 679 ✭✭✭polyfusion


    peasant wrote: »
    If it smells of petrol, it could very well be unburned petrol.

    In old cars I would have said not to use too much choke ...in a newer car (and in that context 97 is new :D) it's probably the automated choke that's overfuelling.

    What would cause the automatic choke to overfuel? Could it be related to the cold weather/ cold air? Or a blocked air filter? Could lower than normal idle be a symptom of this?


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