2000-2005 Discuss your 2000-2005 Bonneville SE, SLE, and SSEi Please use General Chat for non-mechanical issues, and Performance and Brainstorming for improvements.

Smoking on a 80 degree day

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 17, 2010 | 08:41 PM
  #1  
silversurfer's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Posts like a Northstar
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 596
Likes: 2
From: Neligh, Nebraska
silversurfer is on a distinguished road
Default Smoking on a 80 degree day

Okay so my car likes to smoke at all temperatures, but it is definitely not oil. I have seen several 3800 powered cars do this. Is it natural or is there something wrong like a head gasket or something? It usually goes away after the engine warms up. I am also noticing a very large amount of carbon build up on the rear bumper around the exhaust tips. That has gone down some since I went back to using premuim fuel, but it is still there.
Reply
Old Jul 17, 2010 | 08:47 PM
  #2  
Mike's Avatar
Retired
Certified Car Nut
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 17,960
Likes: 1,839
From: Dark Side, AZ
Mike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Me thinks your burning oil and its collecting on your bumper. Could be piston rings, valve seals or more.
Do you have access to a compression tester? This should eliminate piston rings.

Moved to 2000-2005 section for better visibility.
Reply
Old Jul 19, 2010 | 10:49 PM
  #3  
silversurfer's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Posts like a Northstar
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 596
Likes: 2
From: Neligh, Nebraska
silversurfer is on a distinguished road
Default

I think I do....I hope its not that serious..I leave for college in a month lol.
Reply
Old Jul 19, 2010 | 10:51 PM
  #4  
silversurfer's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Posts like a Northstar
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 596
Likes: 2
From: Neligh, Nebraska
silversurfer is on a distinguished road
Default

I don't lose any oil until about 50 miles away from being due for an oil change and even then it is not much..I was burning regular instead of premium could that be part of the problem?
Reply
Old Jul 19, 2010 | 10:54 PM
  #5  
Danthurs's Avatar
Retired Senior Admin

Expert Gearhead
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 29,661
Likes: 43
From: Sheboygan Wisconsin
Danthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to all
Default

A bit of bluish smoke at start is valve seals, bluish smoke all the time is rings, white smoke is coolant. Try to smell the smoke, is it sweet smelling or oily?
Reply
Old Jul 20, 2010 | 07:25 AM
  #6  
silversurfer's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Posts like a Northstar
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 596
Likes: 2
From: Neligh, Nebraska
silversurfer is on a distinguished road
Default

I am not sure...It isn't bluish in color, Its white..The smell is sorta a mixture more on the sweet side at times. Of course I can't really smell all the time (if at all). What would cause the coolant?
Reply
Old Jul 20, 2010 | 09:35 PM
  #7  
Mike's Avatar
Retired
Certified Car Nut
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 17,960
Likes: 1,839
From: Dark Side, AZ
Mike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Coolant is probably leaking into your intake. Just behind the throttlebody. Best way to find out is to remove the air cleaner duct from the throttle body, remove the MAF honeycomb screen, open the throttle plate all the way and shine a flashlight inside looking for coolant puddling up.
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2010 | 06:37 AM
  #8  
silversurfer's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Posts like a Northstar
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 596
Likes: 2
From: Neligh, Nebraska
silversurfer is on a distinguished road
Default

I will definitely look into that ASAP. Thanks you guys...
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2010 | 07:02 AM
  #9  
Danthurs's Avatar
Retired Senior Admin

Expert Gearhead
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 29,661
Likes: 43
From: Sheboygan Wisconsin
Danthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to all
Default

He has a SSEi so it shouldn't be leaking there. Have you ever changed the LIM gaskets?
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2010 | 07:57 PM
  #10  
airlife9's Avatar
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
airlife9 is on a distinguished road
Default

Originally Posted by Mike1995
Coolant is probably leaking into your intake. Just behind the throttlebody. Best way to find out is to remove the air cleaner duct from the throttle body, remove the MAF honeycomb screen, open the throttle plate all the way and shine a flashlight inside looking for coolant puddling up.

If you find a coolant puddle, what needs to be replaced? gasket?
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:29 AM.