My 1999 corolla started blowing white smoke from the exhaust. It is an automatic transmission car with a remote start. The smoke only comes from exhaust and not from under the hood. I recently realized that the engine oil levels are dropping really quick but the coolant levels are fine. There is no overheating problem or anything. The engine is noisy with mechanical sounds of the engine. Also the smoke is there for only 10-15 min after start and then its fine and the engine noise also goes down after 15 min.
Can someone please tell me what could be wrong. I hope its not the head gasket as those things are a real nightmare and expensive to fix.
Can you give us some numbers on exactly how many miles it takes to burn a qt. of oil? It's unusual that you would see that much smoke. I was at a qt. every 100 miles with one of mine and you could only see a little bit if you floored it.
Is it smoke or steam? Steam would be coolant. Does it smell like coolant (maple syrup)?
It's not just condensation cause it's cold out right?
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'98 Prizm 4spd 272K bought @ 221K for $300 Oil consumption fixed @ 265K for $247
I use Synthetic oil but I changed the oil to a thick version yesterday. There are no leaks of any sort.
Its not the condensation or steam and it doesn't smell like maple syrup. As I mentioned earlier...the coolant level is fine its the engine oil level that is dropping.
I have 180,000 KM on the car.
The smoke only comes out after I start it and continues to smoke for 10-15 min and then there is no smoke after that. In the last 5000 KMs it completely dried up the engine oil...not even a single drop left which is alarming.
if you're having issues related to the faulty design of the piston rings, which often also includes clogged oil return holes in the piston heads, a thicker oil will actually cause more problems for you (aside from the typical increased-wear problems associated with using a thicker oil than specified by the manufacturer)
knowing the weight and viscosity of the oil you were using, and that of the oil you're using now, would go a long way in enabling us to offer you good advice
Took it to Midas mechanic shop in panic a few hours ago and paid them 70 bucks just to inspect
The mechanic took 10 min and said its the valves. The umbrella of the valves are worn out and the oil is going inside the chamber and therefore its burning oil. He then suggested to use Lucas oil stabilizer.
Thats possible, but unless he took the whole top end apart( the seals are hidden under the valve springs) there is no way to know for sure. It is way more common on these engines to have oil going past your oil rings. Oil smoke has a blueish tint not white. Like what was said above smell your exhaust , you will be able to tell right away if its oil or coolant. Also you can put your hand at the exhaust after its warmed up and if it is coolant your hand will be wet.
Adding sand to the engine oil will do the same job faster. In other words, don't put that crap in under any circumstances. Unless you want to finish it off.
If it ran out of oil, is running noisier than normal (damaged bearings, crankshaft...), and is now consuming oil rapidly, it sounds like time for an engine swap or rebuild if you plan to keep the car.
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I'll second the don't use Lucas. I use their fuel system treatment once per quarter, with a double-dose once a year, but I stay away from everything else of theirs. ESPECIALLY if you're running synthetic, which you should in an 8th gen due to the oil-related issues they seem to have.
My 1999 corolla started blowing white smoke from the exhaust. It is an automatic transmission car with a remote start. The smoke only comes from exhaust and not from under the hood. I recently realized that the engine oil levels are dropping really quick but the coolant levels are fine. There is no overheating problem or anything. The engine is noisy with mechanical sounds of the engine. Also the smoke is there for only 10-15 min after start and then its fine and the engine noise also goes down after 15 min.
Can someone please tell me what could be wrong. I hope its not the head gasket as those things are a real nightmare and expensive to fix.
If your in alberts canada its pretty cold right? Here in Mass the cars are blowing white smoke sometimes all day. Moisture evaporating from the engine and exhaust in cold weather for 15-20 mins warmup would seem normal to me. Verify no coolant loss????
You may be right about valve seals. But the mechanics here in Canada are waiting for a customer to come in so they can rip them off even for a tiny job
You may be right about valve seals. But the mechanics here in Canada are waiting for a customer to come in so they can rip them off even for a tiny job
Not just in Canada. There's a reason the only thing my car sees a shop for is tires and alignment.
You may be right about valve seals. But the mechanics here in Canada are waiting for a customer to come in so they can rip them off even for a tiny job
Starving the engine with thick oil, especially in winter is not something you should do. What brand of synthetic are you using and when did you start using it?
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In other words, don't put that crap in under any circumstances. Unless you want to finish it off.
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