1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse White Smoke

MITSUBISHI
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STR8KUNTRYF
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  • 1 POST
Hi, I have a 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse and it has 153,337 miles on it. It is smoking white smoke from the tail pipe. It does not do it all the time. The longer you drive it, the heavier the smoke gets. I am car illiterate, so can you please tell me what could cause this? And what measures I should take to resolve this problem? :D
Mar 28, 2006 at 11:06 PM
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LOSONE
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 1,616 POSTS
At that many miles the cause is a bad engine. White smoke is usually coolant leaking in the combustian chamber. I suspect a cracked cylinder head.

When the car is cold look at the coolant and also look at the oil dip stick and see if you see any cloudy formation.

Don't let someone sell you an engine over haul. Look at a good junk yard and find a low mileage engine ( under 60K) and have it installed or trade the car.

Good luck!!.
Mar 29, 2006 at 9:25 AM
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Suggested Repair

With the engine cold, check the coolant and oil dipstick for a cloudy or milky appearance. White smoke that worsens with driving usually means coolant is entering the combustion chamber, often from a cracked cylinder head. Avoid a full engine overhaul; install a low-mileage used engine (under 60,000 miles) or consider trading the car.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse with about 153,000 miles reports intermittent white smoke from the tailpipe that becomes heavier the longer the car is driven. The expert says white smoke usually indicates coolant leaking into the combustion chamber and suspects a cracked cylinder head at that mileage. Recommended steps are to inspect the cold coolant and oil for cloudiness, skip an engine overhaul, and either install a low-mileage junkyard engine or trade the vehicle.

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