1989 Oldsmobile 88 exhaust

Tiny
MOCHA926
  • MEMBER
  • 1989 OLDSMOBILE 88
  • 3.1L
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 129 MILES
When I intially start my car, it starts to rattle. I have to let it run for awhile. It smokes every once in a while and I smell gas and almost like an ether smell. At some points when I step on the gas it doesn't pick up. Could this be a clogged fuel filter or fuel injector? And is fuel injector cleaner good for a car or does it make matters worst?
Thursday, May 22nd, 2014 AT 7:57 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,740 POSTS
What color is the smoke and where do you see it? Have you checked the computer for trouble codes?
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Thursday, May 22nd, 2014 AT 8:39 AM
Tiny
MOCHA926
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The color of the smoke is white, and I haven't had a chance to take it to a station to have the codes read. A lot of stations now-a-days do not have machines to read codes for older model cars.
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Thursday, May 22nd, 2014 AT 1:21 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,740 POSTS
White smoke usually indicates that coolant is getting into the combustion chamber. Have you noticed that the coolant is going low or the motor oil has a creamy look or substance to it?

Take a look at this:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/white-smoke-or-steam-coming-from-the-exhaust-pipe

As far as checking the codes, you could do it at home with a paper clip. Here are the directions and also see the image attached to see what the OBD1 port under the dash looks like and terminal locations.

1. Ground terminals A and B (with a paper clip) with the ignition "ON" and engine off. The system will enter the diagnostic mode. In this mode, the computer will display a Code 12, three consecutive times, by flashing the check engine light. A Code 12 consists of one flash, a short pause, then two rapid flashes.

2. After Code 12 is displayed, any stored trouble codes will be displayed by flashing check engine light the same way. All codes are displayed 3 times each then a code 12 will repeat when finished.

Let me know if you can do it and about the potential head gasket issue.
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Thursday, May 22nd, 2014 AT 6:29 PM

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