Hey guys,
i have magnafllow mufflers installed and they've been installed for about 3 months now. I nevfer had any smoke problems before but now for some reason i am getting alot of smoke coming out of the exhaust pipes. its not black smoke or anything like that but it just looks like a car that has just been started up on a cold morning. problem is it looks like that even after the car is fully warm. does anyone know what could be causing this?

If this helps the temperature is around 50 degrees F.

Thanks,
Jim

 

So it is white, puffy smoke? Put your hand over it, does it smell like anti-freeze?

Check your coolant levels and check your oil for foamy conditions. Getting any CEL's?

Have you bought gas at any place that is not your normal gas station?

Car running fine otherwise?

 

Jim, if the smoke is white like you are hinting at, Chris X is on the money. If it is still white after the car is up to temperature, then you are looking at a coolant leak issue. This can be confirmed by having to frequently add fluid to the overflow bottle.

If by chance that the smoke is blue in color, then I would be checking your oil levels as this is a sign that you have worn rings or an internal problem and you are using a lot of oil.

 

i checked the coolant and it is was above the minimum level so there should be enough right? or should the coolant tank be topped off?

 

I'd top that coolant tank up to max when the motors cold. Makes it easier to keep an eye on.

 

ok thanks djdex, also does it make a difference the quality of the coolant. I mean does it have to be branded, because i have been using just non branded coolant/ antifreeze.

 

Not a big deal with the brand of coolant, no. Fill it up to the max level, then keep an eye on it and mark it with a sharpie or something if it starts to go down.

 

Ummm, not quite so sure about that! In the UK Jag specify Organic Acid Technology (OAT) coolant - which is the long life red stuff, rather than the 2 year blue, don't mix the two, stick with what you have.

 

well i had the reddish orange stuff in it when i bought it but then i added some more coolant which was blue. what could happen and should i go back to the red or keep adding blue?

 

Oh dear, the two types interact and produce a 'slime' that causes circulation problems, if it was my car I'd drain the lot, flush it and put red only in. You could put only Blue in and things will be fine, but you will have to change it every 2 yeays instead of 5 years with the red, I don't know about US prices for coolant - you can do the maths I'm sure.

 

My mum just recently added the green to the red coolant already in the car (VW Jetta) and the coolant light came on and the needle showing the coolant temp was at the max. had to have the coolant flushed and have only the red coolant added. Didnt even know my mum knew what coolant was

 

Sorry, I should have been more clear - the BRAND of coolant is not relevant, but the TYPE of coolant to be used should comply with OEM spec (the Jag stuff is OES). Although Prestone has a new mix that they claim is compatible with ANY vehicle. With OEM being about $13 a liter I don't know if I'd stray however. But that is a discussion for another thread.

Mixing two types should be avoided, I agree.

 

alright i have not put that much of the blue coolant in so should i go to the dealership and get the OEM coolant?

 

No need for the dealer - any red longlife (read the container, you're looking for Organic Acid Technology) will be fine!

 

alright thanks so much djdex!