Grey/white smoke from exhuast - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

Natty · 02-23-2003, 05:32 PM

Okay, so my stock KADE has 156,00 miles. I know the exhuast is a bit leaky.
Before I changd my oil today, there was a greyish/white smoke from the exhuast and it smelt like, well, exhuast. It was about 35 degrees out, but this persisited even after I drove around for 3 minutes at 3,000rpm in 2nd. There is a bit a condensation flying out (barely any) and alot of black soot in the muffler tip.
I searched, but it didn't help much

Jeff

Natty · 02-23-2003, 05:39 PM

Oh, it doesn't appear to me overheating. The guage keeps it's at the third tick, even at 90mph for 2 hours.
Oil looked okay.
Jeff

Natty · 02-26-2003, 07:30 PM

Okay, I will only bump this once and that is becaue I have smog test next week

I think it's rich.
Jeff

uiuc240 · 02-26-2003, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Natty
Oh, it doesn't appear to me overheating. The guage keeps it's at the third tick, even at 90mph for 2 hours.
Oil looked okay.
Jeff

You mean the third tick...the one way above the middle? If that's what you mean, your car is running WAY hot. The middle is supposed to indicate a temp of roughly 165-215. Your car is way past that if you're at the third tick. Unless I'm forgetting what the water temp gauge looks like...I use an Autometer one (haven't looked at the Nissan one in a while).

Anyway, that could be something to look in to.

As for the smoke, it could still be condensation, but it could be running rich. You could start by testing the O2 sensor like in the FSM. If that leaves you baffled, you could hook up a voltmeter and check the O2 sensor readings (ask someone else the best way to do that if that's what you want to do...I haven't done that). You'll obviously need some long leads and a good way of connecting the leads to the O2 sensor.

Yo.

Eric

Natty · 02-26-2003, 08:12 PM

Sorry! I misphrased, it's the 3rd small tick, not the bold tick.
Here is a pic. I do not think it's hot.
I'll pull my plugs if I can find some on that knows how. I know what rich plugs look like (black!). I am hoping it's just condensation, but the black soot, condensation (or gas), and smoke are more than a coincidence.
Thanks for the help.

240Driver39 · 02-26-2003, 08:12 PM

The third tick is right about middle, mine runs right below it, so that isnt a problem

see in pic..

edit: haha, we posted at the same exact time...similiar things too

uiuc240 · 02-26-2003, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Natty
Sorry! I misphrased, it's the 3rd small tick, not the bold tick.
Here is a pic. I do not think it's hot.
I'll pull my plugs if I can find some on that knows how. I know what rich plugs look like (black!). I am hoping it's just condensation, but the black soot, condensation (or gas), and smoke are more than a coincidence.
Thanks for the help.

Yeah, you're good to go. I have a different gauge in mine (HUD). Mine doesn't have those small ticks. Anyway, yeah, I think it's just condensation. It takes quite a while for that to go away when it's cold out. Takes me about 10-15 minutes...and that's with a turbo to heat things up!

Eric

Natty · 02-26-2003, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by uiuc240
Yeah, you're good to go. I have a different gauge in mine (HUD). Mine doesn't have those small ticks. Anyway, yeah, I think it's just condensation. It takes quite a while for that to go away when it's cold out. Takes me about 10-15 minutes...and that's with a turbo to heat things up!

Eric

I certainly hope your right. And those darm turbos always complicate things. You better send it to me for proper disposal

That still leaves the bad mileage and black soot.

How do I pull the plugs and check? Do I need any tools?
Jeff

*AceInHole* · 02-26-2003, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Natty

How do I pull the plugs and check? Do I need any tools?

you need a ratchet, an extension, and a 5/8" sparkplug socket. simply unscrrew the sparkplug out.

be careful when reinserting the sparkplug though. make sure the threads are clean, and DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN. hand tighten first, then tighten with the ratchet. new plugs will have to seat themselves with like a 1/4 turn to a 1/2 turn. if you insert your old plugs it shouldn't be anything more than like 1/16 of a turn to 1/4 turn.

Natty · 02-26-2003, 10:26 PM

Do the wires just pull out by hand?
Jeff <----- Newbie to doing his own work (poor student)

uiuc240 · 02-26-2003, 11:08 PM

yes. just grab the plug wire BOOT, not the wire, and pull. gently work it around in a circular motion if it's giving you trouble. you don't want to separate the wire. it will finally *snap* off the end of the spark plug, and then you can get in there and take them out. yay.

there are a lot of other things the mileage and smoke could be. you may need to have it looked at. could be 02 sensor, MAFS, etc.

Eric

02-23-2003, 05:32 PM	#1
Natty Zilvia Addict Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 944 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Grey/white smoke from exhuast Okay, so my stock KADE has 156,00 miles. I know the exhuast is a bit leaky. Before I changd my oil today, there was a greyish/white smoke from the exhuast and it smelt like, well, exhuast. It was about 35 degrees out, but this persisited even after I drove around for 3 minutes at 3,000rpm in 2nd. There is a bit a condensation flying out (barely any) and alot of black soot in the muffler tip. I searched, but it didn't help much Jeff __________________ 1991 White 240sx Fastback LE, rusty spoiler, weak driveshaft, exhaust rattle.... Rattles are just your cars way of saying 'I love you.'

02-23-2003, 05:39 PM	#2
Natty Zilvia Addict Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 944 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Oh, it doesn't appear to me overheating. The guage keeps it's at the third tick, even at 90mph for 2 hours. Oil looked okay. Jeff __________________ 1991 White 240sx Fastback LE, rusty spoiler, weak driveshaft, exhaust rattle.... Rattles are just your cars way of saying 'I love you.'

02-26-2003, 07:30 PM	#3
Natty Zilvia Addict Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 944 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Okay, I will only bump this once and that is becaue I have smog test next week I think it's rich. Jeff __________________ 1991 White 240sx Fastback LE, rusty spoiler, weak driveshaft, exhaust rattle.... Rattles are just your cars way of saying 'I love you.'

02-26-2003, 08:12 PM	#5
Natty Zilvia Addict Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 944 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Sorry! I misphrased, it's the 3rd small tick, not the bold tick. Here is a pic. I do not think it's hot. I'll pull my plugs if I can find some on that knows how. I know what rich plugs look like (black!). I am hoping it's just condensation, but the black soot, condensation (or gas), and smoke are more than a coincidence. Thanks for the help. __________________ 1991 White 240sx Fastback LE, rusty spoiler, weak driveshaft, exhaust rattle.... Rattles are just your cars way of saying 'I love you.'

02-26-2003, 10:26 PM	#10
Natty Zilvia Addict Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 944 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Do the wires just pull out by hand? Jeff <----- Newbie to doing his own work (poor student) __________________ 1991 White 240sx Fastback LE, rusty spoiler, weak driveshaft, exhaust rattle.... Rattles are just your cars way of saying 'I love you.'

02-26-2003, 11:08 PM	#11
uiuc240 Nissanaholic! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Naperville, IL Age: 46 Posts: 2,093 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	yes. just grab the plug wire BOOT, not the wire, and pull. gently work it around in a circular motion if it's giving you trouble. you don't want to separate the wire. it will finally snap off the end of the spark plug, and then you can get in there and take them out. yay. there are a lot of other things the mileage and smoke could be. you may need to have it looked at. could be 02 sensor, MAFS, etc. Eric __________________ 2002 Mazda Protege5 1989 S13 w/SR20DET (sold)