Have you determined for sure whether the "smoke" is oil smoke or water vapor?
In either case, oil or coolant may be getting into the intake manifold or plumbing while the engine is not running. ----- Original Message ----- From: Chad J. Douglas To: [email protected] Cc: Ken Riley Sent: Sunday, April 10, 2011 8:23 AM Subject: Head Gasket? 1997 STO - - 200k k miles Sometimes when you start it up from cold, it smokes like a freight train for 20 minutes (although, I can't remember the last time I saw freight train that "smoked like a freight train.") Sometimes, just a few minutes. Sometimes a puff. Sometimes nothing at all. Once the engine is warmed up, no smoke at all. I tested it in high vacuum to check for valve seals, and even under high vacuum (revved 1st gear to redline, took foot off gas for 2-3 seconds, then back on) I get NO smoke. Engine runs GREAT. No strange behaviors except for the smoke. Even when it's smoking - runs very well.. Engine has no appreciable blow-by - you can take the oil cap off when the engine is cold and there's just the normal amount of crankcase pressure there. So, I've come to this idea: there is a small crack in the head gasket between one or more cylinders and the pressurized oil passageway. While the engine is cold, oil can leak through, but then it seals up when warm. Not sure what would explain the varying "smoke times." Any ideas on what to check next? I recently purchased a leakdown tester from Harbor Fright (pun intended), but I've never used one. It seems that leakdown is a good next step.so..anyone want to tell me how to use one of these things? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _______________________________________________ Miatapower mailing list [email protected] http://list.miatapower.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/miatapower
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