Uphill struggle engine rattle and white smoke coming out from exhaust

1996 TOYOTA COROLLA
307,000 MILES • 1.8L • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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MARISE WALL
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I am currently having idling issues. The throttle body was cleaned out a year or so ago as it used to stall when idling but always managed to restart. I have also had the alternator replaced as the car was misfiring. Recently the car started rocking a bit when idling. Now when i go uphill, car seems to struggle and there is a bit of a rattle coming from the engine and white smoke blows out the exhaust pipe.
Jun 1, 2022 at 12:29 PM
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STRAILER
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 55,273 POSTS
Hello,

This sounds like you have a blown head gasket which can cause the problem you are describing. To be sure please remove all spark plugs to see what they look like, you are trying to see which one looks clean/different from the rest. Also, does the engine require coolant from time to time? These guides can help us confirm the issue:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-change-spark-plugs

and

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

Please run down these guides and report back.

Jun 2, 2022 at 7:13 AM
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