white smoke only when idling

[eissan]

Hi everyone,

new guy here just got my 92 v6 camry LE about 2 days ago. noticed something weird. when I am at a full stop and sitting there for a couple seconds I noticed alot of white smoke. the issue doesnt seem to have much to do with if the car is warm or cold (though when its cold the white smoke is there when accelerating). The car has roughly 199000km's ( close to 120000miles). I have smelt the exhaust and I think its really stinky as in rich not sweet.

I am going to try to change my spark plugs this weekend to see if that helps but I thought I'd ask if anyone can think of anything else that could cause this. I ruled out a blown head gasket because if it was blown it would be smoking all the time right?

anyways any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[JohnGD]

Is your car using coolant? It is white smoke (coolant) or white with a bluish tint (oil)?

Maybe an early stage busted head gasket?

For oil, you can try compression tests and leakdown tests. Properly equipped shops should be able to do these.

For HG, you can do additional checks such as pressurizing the cooling system, hydrocarbon test of the coolant, hydrocarbon sniffer, etc.

A radiator shop may be able to help if you don't have an Autozone with free loaner tools, such as the cooling system pressure tester.

Originally Posted by eissan

Hi everyone,

new guy here just got my 92 v6 camry LE about 2 days ago. noticed something weird. when I am at a full stop and sitting there for a couple seconds I noticed alot of white smoke. the issue doesnt seem to have much to do with if the car is warm or cold (though when its cold the white smoke is there when accelerating). The car has roughly 199000km's ( close to 120000miles). I have smelt the exhaust and I think its really stinky as in rich not sweet.

I am going to try to change my spark plugs this weekend to see if that helps but I thought I'd ask if anyone can think of anything else that could cause this. I ruled out a blown head gasket because if it was blown it would be smoking all the time right?

anyways any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[eissan]

Originally Posted by JohnGD

Is your car using coolant? It is white smoke (coolant) or white with a bluish tint (oil)?

Maybe an early stage busted head gasket?

For oil, you can try compression tests and leakdown tests. Properly equipped shops should be able to do these.

For HG, you can do additional checks such as pressurizing the cooling system, hydrocarbon test of the coolant, hydrocarbon sniffer, etc.

A radiator shop may be able to help if you don't have an Autozone with free loaner tools, such as the cooling system pressure tester.

its white, no blue in the smoke at all.
I thought about early signs of blown head gasket but on my 240sx when my head went I lost power as well. weird thing is it only does it at idle right now, I have high way driven it for the last 2 days and was very cautious to see if it blows any white smoke but nothing when It warms up, just at idle I should probably also check to see if the last owner removed the cat, I have heard if its not there it can also cause the issue.

[Zviator]

White smoke is coolant. Blue smoke is oil. Black smoke is fuel. Of course u can only see it clearly in idle because the car isn't moving with wind blowing through. Check your radiator too ...