[Ajelec]

I replaced my knock sensors in a 2002 Solara and after replacing the lower plenum gaskets on a V6, I believe it's pulling in coolant to the intake and burning it. I would be grateful for any help

 

[Gugi53]

You need a head gasket, left or right. You have high mileage. Replace all the gaskets, I suggest....

 

[Chuy]

Constant white smoke at the tail pipe? That’s a certain sign of blown head gasket. A mechanic can do a coolant pressure test and test the coolant for presence of combustion gases. I believe the plenum gaskets only keep air out and have no coolant running through.

 

[swimf]

head gasket or cracked cylinder, If it's a crack in the cylinder then you'd get coolant and unburned fuel pooling up in your upper to lower intake manifolds and not a lot of smoke especially if you still have catalytic converters...

sorry man. was just telling someone else, knock sensors are 9 outta 10 times usually fine

 

[1990Toyota]

if you;re lucky, you just messed up the gasket replacement which is allowing coolant in. It probably slipped out of place whe you lowered the manifold....common issue on some models.


Was it doing this before you did the intake manifold? if so, then you probably got other problems... if not, and it only happened after you di d the repair.... go back in and try redo it again.

 

[Ajelec]

It was not smoking at all before.

 

[1990Toyota]

It was not smoking at all before.

Then you likely let a intake gasket slip upon installation. Double check all your lines etc.. then if those look good you'll likely need to tear back into it again.

 

[Ajelec]

Thank you everyone for your help.

 

[1990Toyota]

Thank you everyone for your help.

Good luck!

I personally like to put a dab of silicone to help keep the gaskets in place. Kinda frowned upon.. but many years of doing it / no issues.

 

[Ajelec]

All, thank you for the time and suggestions. I do have an update and found the problem. It wasn't coolant at all, it was pulling oil through the PCV valve. The old one must have been clogged, once I replaced it that when all this started. So going to plug the vacuum line and get a little breather to go in its place. I'm just glad it was nothing serious.

 

[93celicaconv]

Did you use an OEM PCV valve when you replaced the original? If not, that is most likely the problem - your "generic" PCV valve isn't operating at the right manifold vacuums to function correctly, as it is used in so many different applications that have too much variability. An OEM PCV valve is made specifically for the range of the engines it is used in. Just so you are aware.

 

[Ajelec]

I'll try it out, didn't realize there was that much of a difference.

 

[1990Toyota]

Could be the valve is just clogged. Try shake it. the valve, aftermarket or OEM, should rattle a bit like theres something in there. If you dont change your oil regularly that can also cause lots of deposits to clog up the valve etc...


if its OEM id try see if i can spray a bit of brake cleaner in there and shake it / clean it out. Around here a new valve is $30 from the dealer