coolant leak white exhaust smoke

FeeJ · 11-23-2005, 06:19 PM

so I got a low coolant light a few weeks ago, thought nothing of it just topped it off and went on my way. Just travelled about 400 miles from school back to NJ nothing big, me and the satty have done it plenty of times. Park it in the driveway to get the stuff out easier. start 'er up and move it to the street, my usual spot, I step on the gas a lil and white smoke, more than it should be from condensation or the cold. park her pop the hood in the rain and yup coolant is on its way back down. Not huge losses for 400 miles but the 2 hour sit b/w the 400 mile drive and the 20 ft drive got a decent amount of water to create that much smoke, probably just pressure releasing from the pressurized coolant system though.

All hypotheses are leaning towards the head gasket being gone and hopes that the head and/or block are not warped. So I come here looking for any assistance similar stories and guidance. I'm gonna do a quick check for oil in the coolant and coolant in the oil, and when I can Ill be pressure testing the coolant system to see if and which cylinder is burning it, but thats dependant on someone else.

and I must return to school for classes on monday, so another 400 mile trip is coming up and I doubt my other car will make it, especially since i have two passengers and it is a two seater. I have contingency plans but none as good as driving the satty back up.

Stats on the car:
1992 SL SOHC
146K

PurdueGuy · 11-23-2005, 06:25 PM

doesn't sound too promising, but it sounds like you're checking the right things...

FeeJ · 11-23-2005, 08:49 PM

oil looks dry, while consumption was slightly high. Coolant is clean while consumption also high but very little drop if at all from last run.

while I have the engine open any thing else suggested to clean up?? any way to reduce the oil consumption a bit while Im deep in it's heart? or any other general refreshing that could be done to last another 150K before I have to worry about it. Obivoulsy new head gasket, timing chain couldn't hurt too much, anything else?

PurdueGuy · 11-23-2005, 09:49 PM

depends on just how deep you're going... stock piston rings are known for sticking and allowing blow-by, causing the ill-famed saturn oil consumption. Probably a bit further into the heart than you are, though...more along the lines of engine rebuild, I would think.

FeeJ · 11-24-2005, 12:03 AM

thanks for your insight perdue.

I just got back form taking a look at it with a coolant compression tester, all cylinders were dry, a lil rich if anything but thats another story. But its leaking the pressure is dropping and we couldnt find where. then finally we find the source, the end cap is wet, it was just a leaky radiator. A whole lot better than rebuilding the motor, not great but significantly better. The white exhaust wasnt too much but must have been due to the rain and driving conditions. so my fright is down, Ill fill it till Im done with break and then replace it or fix it, which ever works out.

PurdueGuy · 11-24-2005, 03:24 AM

hooray for simple(r) fixes! lol

nukem1st · 11-24-2005, 06:06 AM

I don't know, but as an old muscle car fan ,white smoke usually meant a cracked head like around an exhaust valve. if there is a crack the coolant is passing through the exhaust side and burning the coolant and it comes out white.
It won't show up in the oil it just seaps through and burns out the exhaust
I would do a compresion check and see which cylinder drops, if one drops there's your crack.
This is just an option that you can do, I hope the best for you, and I hope that you have found the problem.