My mother has a 1997 Chevy Lumina and has ran into a little problem with it. It has a verrry hard time starting and when it finally does it has an even harder time staying running. When it finally runs, if you can get it that far, white smoke comes out of the exhaust and gas comes out of the muffler, like too much fuel is being dumped into the cylinders or something. I have no idea what is wrong with it. With the white smoke I first thought burning engine coolant but that's not the case, her coolant level has not moved in a long time. Any help with this would be great. Thanks in advance.
white smoke = coolant. blue smoke = oil.
You could have a plugged cat too. Easy way to check it is to feel for exhaust flow at the tail pipe while you are cranking the engine over. That or if you have a laser temp sensor, check the temp before the cat and then after. If the downpipe is super hot and the cat back is really cool, it's a tell tail sign.
Team GREEN
Suspension Division - "Handling Before Horsepower"
Making the turns since 1999
1998 EK Civic Hatch - Yes, it's a Honda.
Serioulsy, Change the PCV valve.
I wrote this post a long time ago, a real long time ago, back in 94.
Happened to my dads 95 lumina with a 3100 sfi. His PCV valve was stuck. That was the only think they noticed, changed it, it was fine.
I wrote this post a long time ago, a real long time ago, back in 94.
How much do you think that would cost/
$3~
I wrote this post a long time ago, a real long time ago, back in 94.
yeah, that too
Team GREEN
Suspension Division - "Handling Before Horsepower"
Making the turns since 1999
1998 EK Civic Hatch - Yes, it's a Honda.
well, replaced the pcv valve. also doesnt feel like the cat is plugged at all, exhaust is comin out fine. while i was under the hood it kinda looked like maybe a blown headgasket
a buddy of mine brought up the idea of possibly an O2 sensor being the problem, what do you guys think on that one/
White smoke, hard starting, no rotten egg smell (cat).. Sounds like a headgasket to me. Do a compression check and look for cylender to cylender leakage. Do a leakdown while you're at it, but that is to check rings which are likely fine.
My money is on the headgasket being the problem.
O2 issue would cause a lean (no smoke) or rich (black smoke) condition. Neither will give white smoke.
White smoke is coolant for sure, now you must find the leak.
PAX
I wrote:white smoke = coolant.
I thought this was the issue in the first place.
Once again I agree with Hahaha. We are on a roll, aren't we?
Cause it is a Lumina, you might want to think about maybe picking up a new car.
Team GREEN
Suspension Division - "Handling Before Horsepower"
Making the turns since 1999
1998 EK Civic Hatch - Yes, it's a Honda.
RaiLS wrote:Cause it is a Lumina, you might want to think about maybe picking up a new car.
Haha, yeah that'd be the thing I'd do if it was mine, but I happily own a J. For some reason she loves that car, not quite sure why. She always insists to me that her 6cyl is much better than my little 4 banger.
