Oh no...smoke, white smoke....
#1
Oh no...smoke, white smoke....
Guys! Started the 84 V12 this morning and Lo behold, white smoke came flying out of the exhaust! But, after it got to operating temp, it disappeared! Whoa, Im new to the british car tinker and self repair thing. By no means I am a mechanic but I sure know how to fix it with the right knowledge and books. Guys, this car has not been driven regularly for about 7 months and the lady that had it did keep it looking good, that is, garaged and started it every once in awhile. She did you supreme unleaded so whats up?
#2
#3
Worse case scenario...head gasket blown. Best case to be determined.
You have to start by checking a few things.
1. Run the engine for a couple of minutes and after it is off, pull the oil dipstick. Is it clean oil or is it milky looking?
2. After the engine is cool check the level of the coolant, is it at the correct level or low? How low?
3. Is the white smoke you see floating away like smoke or is it dissipating quickly at the rear of the car quickly, like steam might? How long does the white exhaust remain..in minutes?
4. Does it happen every time you start the car or only when it is cold and has not been started for a while?
5. Does the car miss when first started or run smooth and level out at normal idle after the warm up period?
Anyway, there is your starting place and report back.
You have to start by checking a few things.
1. Run the engine for a couple of minutes and after it is off, pull the oil dipstick. Is it clean oil or is it milky looking?
2. After the engine is cool check the level of the coolant, is it at the correct level or low? How low?
3. Is the white smoke you see floating away like smoke or is it dissipating quickly at the rear of the car quickly, like steam might? How long does the white exhaust remain..in minutes?
4. Does it happen every time you start the car or only when it is cold and has not been started for a while?
5. Does the car miss when first started or run smooth and level out at normal idle after the warm up period?
Anyway, there is your starting place and report back.
#5
#6
She is a timelessly sexy golden girl and I do not regret a penny of that $1500 I paid for her in the year 1999, when her hillbilly owner was getting ready for Y2K and purged all of his Earthy possessions....
Last edited by Mish_Mish; 01-16-2012 at 06:39 PM.
#7
I have video response of my perfectly healthy '82 running in the cold...
Old XJS, running in the cold. - YouTube
Old XJS, running in the cold. - YouTube
I would expect that from someone living in Ohio right now. He lives in Sacramento, Calif. Also looks like you did the video at night or early in the morning? Not a very good comparison.
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#13
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Yup.
Water vapor, which is a normal byproduct of internal combustion, condenses in the exhaust system. As the exhaust gets hot the water heats and returns to vapor form until it's burned off. Naturally this vapor from the pipes is more pronounced, visually, if the weather is cold.
Cheers
DD
Water vapor, which is a normal byproduct of internal combustion, condenses in the exhaust system. As the exhaust gets hot the water heats and returns to vapor form until it's burned off. Naturally this vapor from the pipes is more pronounced, visually, if the weather is cold.
Cheers
DD
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Meatpotatoes (01-19-2012)
#14
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Meatpotatoes (01-19-2012)
#15
Well, I went straight to diagnosing a serious issue and ended up with egg on my face...I like eggs, just not there!
I am surprised that condensation from the exhaust was not immediately recognised but the poster, but since the car is in Calif it may not be a normal thing to experience on a cold start there?? Glad to hear that is all it was.
Then again, I am somewhat paranoid when it comes to the Jag since everyday I read about someone elses failure of their car and my own. A couple of examples...the antenna dropping when I am listening to the radio...and then coming back up when it decides to. Another, is the speedometer works sometimes and sometimes not...I guess it will keep the mileage total down and be good for resale?? Of course there are a host of things already repaired and replaced since I bought the car a year ago...I owned another XJS 5 years ago and it too was a project car. I think the term "project car" might be good for a front prestige?? plate. I complain, but I do love the car.
I am surprised that condensation from the exhaust was not immediately recognised but the poster, but since the car is in Calif it may not be a normal thing to experience on a cold start there?? Glad to hear that is all it was.
Then again, I am somewhat paranoid when it comes to the Jag since everyday I read about someone elses failure of their car and my own. A couple of examples...the antenna dropping when I am listening to the radio...and then coming back up when it decides to. Another, is the speedometer works sometimes and sometimes not...I guess it will keep the mileage total down and be good for resale?? Of course there are a host of things already repaired and replaced since I bought the car a year ago...I owned another XJS 5 years ago and it too was a project car. I think the term "project car" might be good for a front prestige?? plate. I complain, but I do love the car.
The following users liked this post:
Meatpotatoes (01-19-2012)
#16
Well, I went straight to diagnosing a serious issue and ended up with egg on my face...I like eggs, just not there!
I am surprised that condensation from the exhaust was not immediately recognised but the poster, but since the car is in Calif it may not be a normal thing to experience on a cold start there?? Glad to hear that is all it was.
Then again, I am somewhat paranoid when it comes to the Jag since everyday I read about someone elses failure of their car and my own. A couple of examples...the antenna dropping when I am listening to the radio...and then coming back up when it decides to. Another, is the speedometer works sometimes and sometimes not...I guess it will keep the mileage total down and be good for resale?? Of course there are a host of things already repaired and replaced since I bought the car a year ago...I owned another XJS 5 years ago and it too was a project car. I think the term "project car" might be good for a front prestige?? plate. I complain, but I do love the car.
I am surprised that condensation from the exhaust was not immediately recognised but the poster, but since the car is in Calif it may not be a normal thing to experience on a cold start there?? Glad to hear that is all it was.
Then again, I am somewhat paranoid when it comes to the Jag since everyday I read about someone elses failure of their car and my own. A couple of examples...the antenna dropping when I am listening to the radio...and then coming back up when it decides to. Another, is the speedometer works sometimes and sometimes not...I guess it will keep the mileage total down and be good for resale?? Of course there are a host of things already repaired and replaced since I bought the car a year ago...I owned another XJS 5 years ago and it too was a project car. I think the term "project car" might be good for a front prestige?? plate. I complain, but I do love the car.
#17
#18
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Sure sign of voltage drop....weak-ish battery, poor battery cable connectins, poor contacts on the instrument printed circuit.....
Cheers
DD
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