Exhaust smoke...

[ABerri]

Hey guys,

I just bought a 1998 White on Tan with 54K on it all stock. Question I have is when I start my car, there is white smoke that comes out of the exhaust and you can clearly smell the weird fuel smell and it stays that way even when the car is running in idle. Someone said I may need a new Catylic converter. I'm not sure whats up here but any advice or help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[SHO#7]

Are you sure that it is not just normal condensation smoke that all cars make on cool days.

Does the smoke dissapate quickly, or does it linger around making like a thick fog.

Mike

 

[ABerri]

The smoke does dissapate fairly quickly but the thing that concerns me is the strong smell it gives, I'll smell it from sitting in the drivers seat and my windows are rolled down. Question is, why am I smelling this smoke so strongly, could it be there is a leak or maybe my engine is running rich or what. I thought of taking it to the Ford Dealership and have them check it out but sometimes they sell you stuff you dont need. What do you think?

ABerri

 

[SHO#7]

I think the smoke you are seeing is condensation. That is typical around this time of year. The exhaust gas is hot, and the exhaust system is cold as is the ambient temp. Making some steam from the exhaust.

As for the odor. It is difficult to say how much you should smell. Exhaust does not smell good. That is normal. I can not tell how much yours smells like fuel. You may be sensitive to a fuel smell. Our cars are pretty damn smart. If they are running rich, they will set a code. Almost always turning on the check engine light. If you want to make sure, go to your local autozone and have them scan the computer.

You said that you have just bought it. It may have sat for a while. I will say that when I start my 98 after sitting for a while ( drove it 145 miles this year ) it does tend to set off an odor. But I am in the garage when I start it.

I guess it comes down to disgression. If the fuel smell is so strong that it tears your eyes, you may need to have it looked at. I would not worry about the steam that your exhaust is letting off.

Does the odor change after you have driven the car. Does the exhaust still smell rich after a drive? Our cars will run slightly rich during warm up. That is normal operation. It is done by the SAI ( secondary air injection ) making the O2 sensors see more oxygen than the motor is acutally putting out. Making the car compensate buy using extra fuel. You may just be sensitive to it. Most people are very careful and notice everything right after they buy a new car. I am sure yours is ok.

If you have not already done so, I recommend you get to reading on www.v8sho.com Also, get the cams welded if you have not aready done so.

Mike

 

[ABerri]

Ok then this is all normal. The car has been sitting for a great while yes, almost a month now. I believe after driving the smell probably goes away I havent paid much attention but for now I dont drive it since I put it away in the garage. Thanks for the info and I'll keep an eye on it. Reason this popped a question on my mind is cos I had a 98 but never smelled that. The fact that this car sat for a while may be the reason. Once again Thanks.

ABerri

 

[Sagabu]

Are you certain it is fuel ???
If so, does it smell like thinner or raw fuel ???
If no codes and a thinner odor, I would assume the fuel is seperating if it sets alot. Cheep gas is good for this.
Use a good fuel treatment and stabilisor w/fresh 90 or better octane for storage.
If you smell strong raw fuel, it should throw codes at you and a possible misfire.
Could be that you are seeing condinsation and smelling the charcoal overflow canister just under the spare tire well???

 

[etc1006]

Sounds like normal colder weather to me. All kinds of fumes settle at ground level when its colder outside. As for smelling it in your car do you have any exhaust leaks? If it sits alot you may have pinholes from moisture settling in it... My mother had a car that we put an exhaust system on every year, she doesn't drive the highway and won't work more than ~10 miles from home...

HTH, Eric