hahaha! White smoke.... :? And Problems.

[Nay]

Right, laughing now because of how annoyed I am.

After figuring out what was causing no spark, we got my engine to fire up again. Now shes sounding a little worse for wear (maybe just having the branch on covered up the noise...)

She starts on command now, but is incredibly lumpy. Almost sounds like she's firing on one cylinder, but unplugging and replugging the spark leads doesn't have too much effect. Taking any one out doesn't have a very obvious effect (which I'll try look at again), which feels like they aren't working at all, yet taking any out will not severly hinder or cut the engine.

There could be another cause though....
Infamous white, steamy smoke from the exhaust. That usually means water in the cambers/fuel/head etc doesn't it? So cracked head or failed gasket?

What are the various methods that can cause this? 1 freshly rebuilt cylinder head with a fresh skim, and a new head gasket. I'll try rebolting the head down (following the sequence, 30nm, then 1/4 turn, then 1/4 turn again... right??).


Recap from my waffling. Lumpy, lumpy idle. White smoke, so potential overheating may still exist. noooo

[mrLEE30]

white smoke is not always the HG. cvan also just be nromal condensation or weather conditions.

I assume you have checked you have the plug leads on the correct cylinders in the first place? this is what your problem sounds most likely to be.

If so try removing all the plugs and see if any one or two plugs looks much different from the rest. a photo of each plug posted would help us to dianose. dont forget to lable the plugs so you know which one goes back in which cylinder (and lable the plug leads too!!)

[ross_jsy]

Since the car hasn't been used for so long, I am going to say it could just be water in the exhaust evaporating off. Which matches to the fact you just connected the full system

With a bit of luck all it will be is that and just need to warm up for a while.

[k13]

this happened to me once however i unplugged the injector wiring loom which is located passenger side underneath the manifold spray some electrical spray cleaner plug it back in hopefully that should sort it out.

[mrLEE30]

rather than randomly looking at things it is best to adopt a logical manner to the fault finding.

1. are the plug leads correct? Yes? then remove the plugs and is there a noticable difference in the colour? No? then report back.

[Nay]

Will do that today Lee. But I'm sure all the leads are in correct places. They all have 1-6 printed over them bar 2 of them, and one of which is the coil. The dizzy cap has numbers on it too to help with the order.

I'll double, double check. Look for colouring issues inside them, and remove them to check as well...

Any pointers as to what I should be looking for?

Lee, as my car is in a different location to my computer, I doubt I'll be able to post up pics till much later tonight. But I can browse occassionally on my phone.


Oh, and thanks for the other suggestions guys. Ross, I really hope its something that simple.

[Ant]

^ ^ ^ can you see now why a pro/trader would only offer an all or nothing rebuild service with all belts and braces Nay ??

get it running right and give the "steam" the benefit of the doubt

grey/white can be unburnt fuel coming out of the tailpipe as a result of the missing you've suffered.

good luck duderino

[ross_jsy]

oh yeah Nathan, I might be down your side of the island tonight working on a mates bike for him. If I am, want me to pop in?

[Nay]

@Ant
I do understand that, and said when I may have 'offended' you. Cheers for the advice. I'll get her running right first then!

@Ross
I'm working from 6 onwards. Off tomorrow and thursday if your free then?

[ross_jsy]

I may be able to rearange doing my mates bike for tomorrow but can't promise anything.

God awfull Varadero, dreading it!

[Ace 325i]

Just to add..

I get a lot of white smoke when the car is idling and warmed up also. Has caused no problems while driving no overheating etc or anything..I thought it was the normal nature of the car?

I actually like it..that smell of fuel gives a proper car sensation lol

So is this normal? or am I totally missing something?

[Ant]

@ Nay, NP at all dude, takes a lot to offend me dude

[penton08]

If the head has been rebuilt the chances are that the valve clearances will be all over the place. they can cause it to run like crap!

[Nay]

right. White smoke beginning to die as the car warmed up. Excess water in exhaust, remaining diesel used for flushing being burnt up are potential causes. Gonna adjust the tappets tomorrow. Also, a lot of idling saw the car creep up to 1/2 temp, then dropped a bit. So looking ok so far...if we can get it to idle nicely!

[m_jermyn]

Good stuff Nay keep it going dude

[Nay]

Good stuff Nay keep it going dude

will do. not giving up when i'm so close!