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1999 Isuzu Rodeo Question White smoke from exhaust area

Tiny
MCAFF
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 ISUZU RODEO
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 89,000 MILES
When driving on the highway, there is a plume of white smoke that comes from the exhaust area of my car. It has happened twice, and both times I have been driving at a speed of 75MPH.
I have not had any check engine light and the coolant level is okay in the car. And there is no difference in the way the car runs.
I am at a loss as to what may be causing the smoke.
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Tuesday, October 5th, 2010 AT 11:09 AM

11 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi mcaff,

Thank you for the donation.

Did you check the engine oil level? At high speed, it could be oil that is burning due to weak piston oil rings.
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Tuesday, October 5th, 2010 AT 12:03 PM
Tiny
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Oil on low end, but is not below min level. I will add oil
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Tuesday, October 5th, 2010 AT 12:28 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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The smoke should be coming from the oil being burnt in the cylinders. Guess the engine is aging causing the problem.
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Tuesday, October 5th, 2010 AT 12:43 PM
Tiny
MCAFF
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  • 6 POSTS
Added oil and it is smoking worse. Looking at the engine, it appears to be a leak in from the oil reservoir
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Tuesday, October 5th, 2010 AT 4:00 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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Is the smoke coming out of the exhaust itself or from around the exhaust?
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Wednesday, October 6th, 2010 AT 8:14 AM
Tiny
MCAFF
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Coming from the exhaust itself. Have checked the coolant and there are no leaks. It seems to be something internal with the engine, but there is no burning smell inside the car, only smoke from the exhaust itself.
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Wednesday, October 6th, 2010 AT 7:59 PM
Tiny
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That confirms engins oil is getting into the exhaust and it should be bad valve seals and/or piston rings or both.

You either live with it till the engine fails and replace it, or you can rewbuild or replace the engine now.
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Thursday, October 7th, 2010 AT 7:30 AM
Tiny
MCAFF
  • MEMBER
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What would be a reasonable price range for the repairs?
Valve seals, piston rings, or both.
I know it will involve opening up the engine to pinpoint the issue (and do repairs)
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Thursday, October 7th, 2010 AT 9:33 PM
Tiny
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It would be difficult to provide an estimate without taking apart the engine as the extent of the damage is unknown.

Engine repairs would range from $2000 onwards.
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Friday, October 8th, 2010 AT 8:03 AM
Tiny
MCAFF
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Could oil leak back up and clog the PCV tubes?
And can smoke be caused by oil getting to spark plugs?

This is the diagnosis I have received from a local repair shop. I'm still waiting for a written estimate and full diagnosis.
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Monday, October 11th, 2010 AT 3:39 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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Oil getting to the spark plugs if external would not cause the smoke. If it is internal, then it is due to bad valve seals or piston.

Oil clogging the PCV would occur over time and this is more likely to be due to piston rings as there is too much blowby.
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Tuesday, October 12th, 2010 AT 9:25 AM

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