1996 Mazda 626 White Smoke

1962 MAZDA 626
Avatar
GROUND1
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
HELP we bought a 1996 Mazda V6 626 for my daughter. We have a new water pump, and recenlty flushed everything due to an overheating issue. Now I have while smoke out the tail pipe and everyone is saying craked head gasket. UGH! Can I fix this myself and is this a hard problem to get to. I have to much money in this car to just let it go and start over with another used vehicle,
Thanks
Lost in Mazda pain!
Dec 19, 2006 at 1:25 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
MWHITNEY
  • MEMBER
  • 63 POSTS
it sounds like a head gasket. you can get someone to test for combustion gases in coolant to veriefy. if it is a head gasket nothing can be done other than replacing gasket.
Dec 20, 2006 at 1:36 AM
Avatar
COSMO
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 347 POSTS
Well this is a really big job to replace the head gaskets...and that is if the heads are ok on the motor. The head gaskets used on a V6 626 motor are a three piece steel gasket, so a cracket gasket might not be the problem....you may have warped a head. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news on that matter.

Removing one head is just as hard as removing both heads on this motor....ie if you do one, might as well do the other. At this point it might almost be better to find a good low milage used motor and put it in. Might cost less for the labor and engine than pay 5 hours to remove the heads and find that the castings are no good.

Cosmo...Mazda TEch
Dec 20, 2006 at 4:01 AM

Suggested Repair

Test the coolant for combustion gases to confirm a head-gasket failure. On this V6, the three-piece steel gaskets and possible warped heads make the repair a major job, and both heads should be addressed together. If the heads are damaged, a low-mileage used engine may cost less than head removal and repairs.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1996 Mazda 626 V6 reports white exhaust smoke after an overheating problem, despite installing a new water pump and flushing the cooling system. A reply suggests testing the coolant for combustion gases and says a failed head gasket must be replaced. A Mazda technician explains that the V6 uses three-piece steel head gaskets, so a warped head is possible, and removing one head is as difficult as removing both. A low-mileage used engine may be more economical if the castings are damaged.

Related Repair Questions

Add a reply
Join 2CarPros for free, one of the most advanced car repair communities on the internet. From first-time drivers to seasoned mechanics, everyone is welcome to reply, share details, and get better answers. You can add a temporary image or video first; uploads are limited to 20 MB.

Ask a new question

Frequently Asked Problems for This Vehicle