WTF!!! Thick White Smoke and Rough Ideling

[iancaldeira]

Yesterday after washing my car and polishing it up, I started my car and I noticed the ideling was rough (not running smooth, but choppy) and then this thick white smoke started pouring out of the exhaust. The exhaust smelled like ****, and it was lingering for a bit before it disipated. I turned off the car, and let it sit for 10 mins, and started it up again. Same problem! 3 hours later, it was the same problem, then it disapered after I drove it around the block.

The oil and filter is new as I changed it last week, and there was no check engine light. The car might need a tune up, but Im not sure. Any ideas?

 

[AutoSHO]

Did you wash the engine with a hose or pressure washer?

 

[MelectroK]

just got something wet
and prolly water in he pipes

 

[iancaldeira]

No I didnt wash the engine yesterday. The car had plenty of time to dry up after the wash (all I did was exterior).

 

[yamahaSHO]

Even doing the exterior of the motor can cause water to fill in the plug wells if not sealed properly.. You can let it sit all day and it will not dry. Its a possibility that you had some water leak down you cylinder.

 

[SHOlove]

I did the same thing a few weeks ago. I found water in the spark plugs so I used to eye drop to pull out most of it but it was giving the same problem. It go so bad that I would have to drive in 4th gear at 20 miles an hour because it couldn't go over 1500 RPMS. The rough idle normally suggests a comuter problem. Reset the computer by removing the positive terminal af the battery and turn on all lights and AC in the car for 5 to 10 minutes (this is to drain all power). Then reconnect the battery and find an open road to teach the car your driving habits. I used this and my SHO runs like the champ it is now. Tell me if it works.

 

[AutoSHO]

Guys, I think he means he did not wash under the hood at all.

 

[iancaldeira]

Autosho,

Your right. I didnt touch the engine or anything else under the hood. This problem is freaking me out! Damn! lol

 

[iancaldeira]

Sorry, I should call you by your name. Chris. Ill keep that in mind next time. :headbang:

 

[Rob94]

You say the exhaust smelled like ****. Was it a sweet, syrupy **** smell? Almost sounds like a head gasket to me.

 

[MelectroK]

did he fill the pipes real full of water somehow? Like half clog it, and the steam was the white smoke?

 

[Rob94]

I don't see how he would have gotten so much water in the pipes just by washing the car. We'll have to wait for him to reply to the questions we have asked.

 

[thumpida]

im thinking head gasket perhaps. thick white smoke sounds like coolant burning up. check your coolant level adn see if any has dissapeared.check your oil also as coolant has been known get mixed in, and i wouldnt recomend driving on a oil/coolant mix.

 

[iancaldeira]

Very little water in the exhaust after washing it. I checked my oil. Theres no sign of coolant in there. The oil is a nice clear golden color. Coolant level was low in the resevior so I topped it up. I started it after work, and there was no smoke and the car was running smooth. For some reason, Im waiting for the proverbial shoe to drop. I have a feeling its going to happen again, and I would like to fix it asap.

The mechanic I took my car to a few weeks ago said my engine is strong and there isnt any problem with it other then a minor oil leak.

 

[svtman]

If its white smoke, you're burning coolant. That does not necessarily mean it will be finding its way into the engine oil though. If it happens again, start by pulling your spark plugs and looking for any that have a different colour. More than likely it is a headgasket or seal problem.

Dave

 

[SonicRiot]

Check for HC's in the Coolant, or bubbles when you rev the engine with the cap off. Is the car down on power?