What's up guys!?

I picked up a Winter car. It's a BONE STOCK 1990 Civic CX, Automatic, with 255 000KM. The engine runs perfectly, and the the oil is new. The car has been sitting for about a month, I only start it up to bring it into the garage every few days or so to work on the body.

Anyhow today I bring it in, and let warm up a bit, and I notice it blowing a white-ish foggy smoke. I rev it up a bit and it blows more white smoke. I look at the engine and see nothing except the white smoke coming out the muffler tip along with a BIT of dark water or condensation. I let it idle for about 15 minutes, and it doesn't seem to be going away!

I dont know what it can be. The weather here in Ontario, Canada has been VERY humid, maybe that can have something to do with it?

ANY suggestions or tips would be very much appreciated, Thanks in advance!

Cheers


[Modified by 90CIVICSI, 8:22 PM 8/15/2002]

 

That definitively sounds like coolant burning. You most probably have a cracked head gasket or a cracked block in the worst case. This can easily be checked with a simple compression or better, a leak down test. I suggest you bring it to a garage to have it checked.

 

yeah, do that stuff. if you want to explore more now, pull the spark plug wires out and check for moisture..then pull the plugs themselves and check them for moisture. also check the radiator and see if there's any coolant in there..you may want to refill if plan on driving to the mechanic. sounds like a leaky head gasket to me, which isn't that bad to fix.

 

Thanks alot guys!!

The Coolant is fine, and the rad is new. I looked all over the engine for leaks, and didn't see any! If the head gasket is blown, should I see fluids on the block?

I am going to pull a plug or two right now to inspect further.

Thanks Again!

 

UPDATE:

I pulled all four plugs, and they definatley need to be changed, they are BLACK. The only thing i noticed was a tiny bit of oil on the number 3 & 4 plugs. Other than that NO water, coolent or condensation. There are no lleaks coming from the motor.

Maybe I just need a good tune up? You Still think it's the head gasket??

Still getting the white smoke to!

 

yup, blown head gasket around the cylinders

 

yeah man..try the cheap stuff first..get some new plugs and see what happens. if you still get the white smoke it's time to take her in..oh yeah, as far as the radiator thing i was talking about, take the cap off the radiator and see if it's still filled to the top like it's supposed to be.

 

Thanks! It seems to be running ALOT better now. I'll keep ya posted!!!

 

take the car out and drive it!

Due to the Civic/CRX exhaust layout, water will get trapped in the muffler unless car is DRIVEN. I went through the same thing on my 91 STD HB. I thought I'd blown the headgasket.

Nope, just water buildup in the exhaust from sitting/idleing. I now drive the car everyday and it runs fine! Motor does use a little oil, but I knew the exhaust valve seal were bad when I got the motor.

 

I think you were right! ALOT of water built up in the muffler. hardly no smoke now, and no more water!!!