1992 Buick Park Avenue White exhaust after transmission reb

AUCTIONSAGAIN

MEMBER
1992 BUICK PARK AVENUE
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
97,000 MILES

I just picked my car up today after having the entire transmission rebuilt - $1000. Immediately I notice that there is billowing white smoke from the exhaust. It eventually quits but I am getting a large amount of white smoke at start-up. After a few minutes, it seems to quit or I can't detect it but after stopping and restarting I am getting white smoke again. I never did this before. It is not overheating, coolant level and oil levels look fine. As for a particular smell, it just smells like exhaust - can't detect an antifreeze or oil smell.

I am just about ready to cry - I have more invested in this car than it is worth and now with the rebuild, I can't stand another expensive repair. Any thoughts?

3 Replies

SERVICE WRITER

MECHANIC
9,123 POSTS

Don't stress out. Cars always cost money to drive, just the nature of the beast.

What led up to the tranny rebuild? IS that problem solved?

How long did the car set before the rebuild and then while it was in the shop.

There may just be moisture in the exhaust system that may take a short bit to work out. Keep an eye of the fluid levels and gauges.

Give the shop a call and ask them if that is normal for what work they did in your case.

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Monday, September 8th, 2008 AT 9:01 PM

AUCTIONSAGAIN

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2 POSTS

When I bought the car it had sat for five years without being driven. Drove it for about two weeks and it quit on me - would not move. Had it towed to a shop - some sort of shaft broke in the transmission and it had to be torn down and fixed. It sat in the shop for around a month being worked on.

The car runs great, no misses and rides like a dream. The fluid levels look fine although the oil level when I checked it today looks high. Meaning it looks like there is too much oil in it. That part worries me. It also looks a little dirty but not like chocolate milk as it has been described to look when head gasket is bad.

I am going to call the shop tomorrow.

Thanks

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Tuesday, September 9th, 2008 AT 1:52 AM

SERVICE WRITER

MECHANIC
9,123 POSTS

Axle shaft broke maybe? I hope that wasn't the case. When one breaks, the car doesn't move because power is no longer being transfered to the wheels. Not a transmission failure.

I'm thinking moisture in the system from setting so long.

You can have different symptoms with a head gasket, one certainly could be coolant mixing into the oil. There are two other things to look at when you suspect this. First early signs of it would be a yellowish slime on the oil cap.

This isn't a good example, but the best I have at the moment. this particluar cap is from one that the oil changes were being let go way too long.

The next thing to check is to let the car set overnight. In the morning, pull the oil drain plug back enough to allow a little oil (hopefully) out into a see thru container. Coolant will setle to the botom of the oil and would be the first thing drained out.

Be prepared for a good chance of more than normal repairs on a car that has sat for that long.

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Tuesday, September 9th, 2008 AT 4:05 AM