Smoking 1996 Eldorado

[rustymetal]

My son Robert, age 16, was given a 1996 Eldorado @ 122000 miles. It's been sitting idle for over a year, although the previous owner would start it up about 2 times a month and it ran fine. We drove it home, about 3 miles, with no problems. After about 3 weeks of starting it periodically, but not driving it off our property, it started to put out white smoke at an idle and at high speed

The engine is a Northstar, 32 valve. We have been keeping a close eye on the radiator fluid, so far it's a perfect light green with no sign of oil. The same goes for the engine oil, there is no sign of coolant.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Frank & Robert XXXXXXX

[lothos]

White smoke from the tail pipes? Does it smell harsh like fuel? Or does it smell like coolant?

[Cadillac Jim]

You should get the On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) codes and post them here. Here's how:

<a href="http://www.caddyinfo.com/readingcodes.html" target="_blank">http://www.caddyinfo.com/readingcodes.html

</a>

The codes will be of the form

PCM P1108 HISTORY

where the first three letters represent the module, the code is one letter and four numbers, and the last is H or HISTORY, or C or CURRENT, and indicates whether the code has just be set or was set before the last time you started the car. Post the codes (letter + four numbers) and H or C here.

[rustymetal]

White smoke from the tail pipes? Does it smell harsh like fuel? Or does it smell like coolant?

It smells sweet, like coolant. Also, the smoke comes and goes as the engine temperature increases. I would think if it were a cracked block or warped head, once the engine heated up the smoke would be constant but it's not.

Thank you for your response.

[winterset]

We have been keeping a close eye on the radiator fluid, so far it's a perfect light green with no sign of oil.

someone along the line switched from the recommended dexcool to the green stuff. your coolant should be orange. I'd put in a double dose of barrs supplement tablets into the radiator hose. after you change the fluid.

[Ranger]

Cracked blocks and warped heads are extremely rare. What usually happens is that the head bolt threads pull and then the gasket leaks. The threads have to be repaired with Timeserts. If the exhaust smells like coolant, I can't imagine what else it could be. Have a cylinder pressure test done. That will condemn or rule out the head gaskets.

[rustymetal]

Does the white smoke indicate excess fuel maybe or water?

[BodybyFisher]

Does the white smoke indicate excess fuel maybe or water?

White smoke is an indication that you might have coolant in your combustion chamber from a blown head gasket, smell the exhaust and see if it has a coolant smell. When the engine is cool start the engine with the surge tank cap off and see if you have any bubbles. Get the coolant checked for the presence of combustion gasses. You can buy a kit at Napa or a good radiator shop can do it.

Looking back you said it smells like coolant. Stick a fork in it, its done. You can have a mechanic give you the post mortum but it certainly sounds like you have blown head gaskets and the prior owner probably knew it (a guess of course, but its too coincidental). How much did you pay for this car? The repair is about $3000.

[Ranger]

Does the white smoke indicate excess fuel maybe or water?

It could be either, but based on your description of the smell, I agree with BBF. Stick a fork in it.

[KHE]

Even if it is the headgaskets, the car was GIVEN to him. For $3000 in repairs, a very nice car could result - $800 if he did the work himself. Not a bad deal in my opinion...

[BodybyFisher]

Even if it is the headgaskets, the car was GIVEN to him. For $3000 in repairs, a very nice car could result - $800 if he did the work himself. Not a bad deal in my opinion...

Very true, I didn't know it was a gift, I need to find a 96 Eldorado as a gift..

[KHE]

Even if it is the headgaskets, the car was GIVEN to him. For $3000 in repairs, a very nice car could result - $800 if he did the work himself. Not a bad deal in my opinion...

Very true, I didn't know it was a gift, I need to find a 96 Eldorado as a gift..

Yeah - me too. I've been looking for a black on black '99 Deville that needs headgaskets for my next project. If a '05 Deville at the right price came along, I'd be all over that too.....