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Puffs of smoke

Sent to Car Experts July 12, 2006 7:32 p.m.

1999 Ford Contour - HUGE puff of white smoke when it starts, or when I rev it, try to speed up to fast. Doesnt happen ALL the time. Seems to happen more often after car has sat for a time, say 8 hrs while I'm at work. Smokes, then stops. One mechanic said it may be condensation. Worries me a bit, and is quite embarrassing when it does it.

Optional Information:
1999 Ford Contour

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Status: Closed Value: $10

Info Request
July 12, 2006 8:07 p.m. (34 minutes and 45 seconds later)

REPLIED to Info Request

How many miles are on this engine?

Does the white smoke rise and disapate like steam?

Does it only occur when the weather is cold?

Does it ever seem like the smoke a has a bluish tint to it?

RIP -- Lead Technician -- 100% Positive Feedback on 2106 Car Accepts
A.S.E. Master Technician, Advanced Level, Smog - European, Domestic, & Asian -- Car Category Mentor

Reply to RIP
Sent July 13, 2006 9:01 a.m. (12 hours and 53 minutes later)

93,000 miles on the car

behaves more like smoke than steam, tho it is white and puffy, it doesnt seem to rise, just hangs in air til it disapates

happens more in hot weather than cold, for instance, car sits in garage all night long, no smoke, sits in hot parking lot at work, POOF - tons of smoke

smoke is pure white, no tint at all

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Info Request
July 13, 2006 9:37 a.m. (36 minutes and 50 seconds later)

REPLIED to Info Request

Have you had to add coolant/water to the cooling system, since the smoke has appeared?

RIP -- Lead Technician -- 100% Positive Feedback on 2106 Car Accepts
A.S.E. Master Technician, Advanced Level, Smog - European, Domestic, & Asian -- Car Category Mentor

Reply to RIP
Sent July 13, 2006 10:08 p.m. (12 hours and 30 minutes later)

I just had some work done on this car. They replaced 2 valves and flushed the cooling system. From the info I get from you and a few other sources, it may be moisture in the cylinders. Which means its going RIGHT back to the shop.

Thanks for your input.

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Answer
July 13, 2006 10:14 p.m. (6 minutes and 7 seconds later)

ACCEPTED

Moisture or incorrectly set valve seals, if the valves in the head were replaced. This would allow small amounts of oil to enter the combustion process, and result in smoking out of the tailpipe. Moisture, usually will enter via the head gasket, so if the gasket wasn't replaced, or the head was incorrectly installed, this would let coolant into the combustion chamber, resulting in dark, white smoke.

-Rip

__________________
Please click on "ACCEPT" if I was helpful-or if you still need assistance just reply, before leaving any feedback thanks

RIP -- Lead Technician -- 100% Positive Feedback on 2106 Car Accepts
A.S.E. Master Technician, Advanced Level, Smog - European, Domestic, & Asian -- Car Category Mentor

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