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What would cause white smoke to come out of my exhaust

Tiny
APAC408
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 220,000 MILES
I recently had to replace my engine when I replaced it I changed all belts, hoses, cleaned the surface of the head and the block, and put all news gaskets in. When I went to go start it up is was running fine and than a couple of minutes later it starting blowing white smoke out from the exhaust in thick clouds.
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Saturday, August 18th, 2012 AT 1:25 AM

32 Replies

Tiny
IMPALASS
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,112 POSTS
White smoke is an indication of a blown head gasket or cracked head. Here is a guide to confirm the problem.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

Please let us know what you find.

Cheers
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Saturday, August 18th, 2012 AT 1:27 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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Let the engine run for a while. It could be residual oil in the exhaust system and it might take a few days of running to get them cleared. In the meanwhile monitor the engine to see if you have coolant losses or overheating issues
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Saturday, August 18th, 2012 AT 8:04 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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You mentioned replacing the engine, why did you have to remmove the head?
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Saturday, August 18th, 2012 AT 8:06 AM
Tiny
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I had to remove the head because I blew a hole threw my engine block. The connecting rod cracked off. A new thing I discovered is I took all of the spark plugs out and cranked the motor to see if any coolant would squirt out and nothing but I did notice that three off my spark plugs are covered with engine oil. Does this mean I have bad piston rings, o-rings, or a bad valve seal.
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Saturday, August 18th, 2012 AT 10:53 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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I know you replaced the engine but why was the head from the new engine removed? Did'nt the engine come as a complete assy? Do you mean you only replace the short block?

Spark plugs covered with engine oil can be due to 2 things, bad plug seals under the valve cover or O'ring under the cam carriers.
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Saturday, August 18th, 2012 AT 11:12 PM
Tiny
APAC408
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Yes I did mean that I replaced the short block and as far as the spark plugs you don't think it could be worn piston rings
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Sunday, August 19th, 2012 AT 3:48 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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No, it is a problem at the head and is not the cause of the excessicve smoke. Have you been running the engine and is the smoke still there?
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Sunday, August 19th, 2012 AT 6:52 AM
Tiny
APAC408
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  • 118 POSTS
I only ran the engine for about 30 minutes and shut it off cause it wouldn't stop smoking, was afraid that leaving it on would cause damage. Should I run it for a while
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Sunday, August 19th, 2012 AT 6:54 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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Yes, let it run for a while longer to see if the smoke decreases. Ensure you ahve sufficient engine oil.

Were the valve seals replaced?
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Sunday, August 19th, 2012 AT 7:14 AM
Tiny
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No I didn't replace the valve seals
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Sunday, August 19th, 2012 AT 5:01 PM
Tiny
APAC408
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Ok I replaced the valve seals, valve cover gasket, but I need to replace the o rings that go underneath the cam carriers but cant seem to find them at any auto store. Would anyone happen to know what size they are so I can just buy some universal ones?
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Tuesday, August 21st, 2012 AT 4:08 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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You can get 3 out of the 4 but the 3rd cylinder is a special one with an additional loop for the oil pressure hole. Remove the O-ring and got to the seal shop. They can measure the size for you.

Did you try the dealer?
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Tuesday, August 21st, 2012 AT 6:34 AM
Tiny
APAC408
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Okay so I got the o rings installed now new problem I cracked the camshaft carrier and in doing so found that one of the rods in the rocker arm assembly is bent. I am replacing the whole assembly but one question I do have is what sequence do I tighten the bolts in since when I did it the first time it cracked my camshaft carrier.
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Tuesday, August 21st, 2012 AT 6:22 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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If a camshaft carrier is bad, you would need to replace the cylinder head assy as cam carriers are cylinder head specific.

If you do not replace the cylinder head, you would have to test the bearing clearance for the camshaft journals. Install the camshaft carrier without the rocker arms first and tighten to specification. Manually turn the camshaft to test if it turns easily. It MUST.

Tightening sequence is not the main cause of you breaking the cam carrier. You did not tighten them evenly. You should be tightening them a few turns for each screw and ensure the carriers are seated correctly.
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Tuesday, August 21st, 2012 AT 6:35 PM
Tiny
APAC408
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I cant just get a whole new rocker arm assembly and put it on
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Tuesday, August 21st, 2012 AT 8:21 PM
Tiny
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The cam carrier bearing caps might not match and this would result in the camshaft seing up sooner or later.

If you must, reuse whatever camcarrier bearings caps possible and for the new ones you are putting in, perform the test as I outlined. If it is tight, remove the locking guide for the cap and after holding all other carriers, tighten this one last and see if it improves.
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Tuesday, August 21st, 2012 AT 9:45 PM
Tiny
APAC408
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Okay I replaced the whole entire rocker arm assembly and it fit perfect and I also replaced the valve seals, but when I go to start it it will start when I give it gas but once I let off it dies is this a problem with timing and also too I am still getting blue smoke coming out from my exhaust how long should I let it run for to see if it gets any better
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Saturday, August 25th, 2012 AT 9:00 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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The blue smoke might be there for a few days depending on the running time. At least 1/2 and hour to see any difference.

Not the timing. Maybe the idling speed is too low. Did you adjust the valve clearances according to specs?
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Saturday, August 25th, 2012 AT 10:05 PM
Tiny
APAC408
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Dam I knew I forgot something all adjust the valves and post any differences
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Saturday, August 25th, 2012 AT 10:34 PM
Tiny
APAC408
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Ok I adjusted the valve clearances and the car started nice and fine still smoking but I did notice that oil is leaking around the cylinder head I'm thinking the gasket I got isn't doing its job which is probably causing oil to go into the cylinders what do you guys think
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Sunday, August 26th, 2012 AT 3:02 AM

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