AaronM Posted October 25, 2004 Report Share Posted October 25, 2004 Hi, I have a 92 STS with the 4.9L. I stored it all last winter. I go insurance on it and started driving it in August. The exhaust has always smoked, but it is a white smoke and it disappears in the air about three feet from the pipes. It looks like the smoke you get when it is cold out. Well, in August, it was 80 degrees and it still did it. So I thought it was just some condensation in the pipes and it would dry out. Well, they are still smoking. And now, when I start the engine, I get a cloud of smoke that actually hovers in the air and floats around for a minute or so. That scared the crap out of me. I checked the codes, nada. So, what do you think the problem is. The engine runs fine. Hmmmm... THANKS! 18 Year Old Male Black 1992 STS 4.9L 90,XXX Miles Flowmaster 80 series muffler Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adallak Posted October 25, 2004 Report Share Posted October 25, 2004 any smell of coolant? The saddest thing in life is wasted talent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AaronM Posted October 25, 2004 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2004 It smells sour. 18 Year Old Male Black 1992 STS 4.9L 90,XXX Miles Flowmaster 80 series muffler Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigfoo Posted October 25, 2004 Report Share Posted October 25, 2004 Do some WOT blasts and see what happens Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adallak Posted October 25, 2004 Report Share Posted October 25, 2004 drop some coolant on hot manifold to adjust your nose to the smell, and compare to what you get from the pipes. The saddest thing in life is wasted talent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AaronM Posted October 25, 2004 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2004 I'll have to try the coolant thing. As for the WOT, lets just say that is taken care of! 18 Year Old Male Black 1992 STS 4.9L 90,XXX Miles Flowmaster 80 series muffler Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted October 25, 2004 Report Share Posted October 25, 2004 Sounds like steam, not smoke. Keep a close watch on your coolant level. If it is going down, the combination could be a sign of a head or intake gasket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adallak Posted October 25, 2004 Report Share Posted October 25, 2004 Sounds like steam, not smoke. Keep a close watch on your coolant level. If it is going down, the combination could be a sign of a head or intake gasket. the steam in August is unlikely, monitoring the coolant level is definetlyely helpful. The saddest thing in life is wasted talent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted October 26, 2004 Report Share Posted October 26, 2004 I would think steam would be very likely anytime if it were coolant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adallak Posted October 26, 2004 Report Share Posted October 26, 2004 I would think steam would be very likely anytime if it were coolant. should we call "steam" the exhaust when a car "burns" oil? The saddest thing in life is wasted talent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted October 26, 2004 Report Share Posted October 26, 2004 No, that would be smoke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dloch Posted October 26, 2004 Report Share Posted October 26, 2004 The cloud you saw after starting could be from oil running down the valve guides and burning. My 97 STS has had condensation smoke from the exhaust even when warm out. Dennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AaronM Posted October 26, 2004 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2004 The cloud you saw after starting could be from oil running down the valve guides and burning. Hi, That is exactly what my dad said! Is there a way I can get rid of the steam or smoke? It is kind of embarassing to start up my car and have smoke rolling out the back when it is not cold out! 18 Year Old Male Black 1992 STS 4.9L 90,XXX Miles Flowmaster 80 series muffler Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted October 26, 2004 Report Share Posted October 26, 2004 If it is smoke from bad valve guides, you'll have to replace the valve guides. If it is steam, then obvioulsy you'll have to find out where it is coming from and fix that. Most likely that would be head or intake gaskets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AaronM Posted October 26, 2004 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2004 Head gasket, those words really scare me! I did some more research and Guru said that white smoke could be caused by a sticky fuel injector. Is there a way I can test for this? I am hoping this is the problem. My car doesn't overheat and doesn't seem to be loosing any coolant. My gas mileage is OK. I get about 19 on the highway and 15-16 in the city. Thanks again! 18 Year Old Male Black 1992 STS 4.9L 90,XXX Miles Flowmaster 80 series muffler Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted October 26, 2004 Report Share Posted October 26, 2004 No overheating and no loss of coolant is a good sign. If it is a rich fuel mixture the white smoke should smell like fuel. The way to check the injectors is to pull the fuel rail and lift it off the manifold. Have someone turn the key on but do not crank. That will energize the fuel pump and pressuize the fuel system and you can see if you have a leaky injector(s). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adallak Posted October 26, 2004 Report Share Posted October 26, 2004 I get about 19 on the highway and 15-16 in the city. Thanks again! 19 on highway is too low. 25-27 is good. The saddest thing in life is wasted talent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AaronM Posted October 26, 2004 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2004 Thanks for the info! If they are leaky or sticking, how would I fix it? Do those infamous fuel additives fix that problem, or do they create more problems? I know I can get them cleaned professionally at some places. I am going to check to see if I can check for leaky fuel injectors through Diagnostics. Time to take out the huge Factory Service Manual, haha! I hope I will be able to get 25 mph someday! Gas jumped up from 1.95 to 2.15 today for regular. That means premium is about 2.35 Thanks again! My dad thinks I am too worried about my car, haha. 18 Year Old Male Black 1992 STS 4.9L 90,XXX Miles Flowmaster 80 series muffler Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted October 26, 2004 Report Share Posted October 26, 2004 Well I guess it is a combination. They stick and don't close all the way and thus leak. Kind of like a leaky water valve. I suppose you could try fuel injector cleaner as a last ditch quick fix but as Guru says, you run the risk of doing damage to your fuel pump. If you try it be sure to add it to a full tank only. Also don't overlook the leaky FPR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AaronM Posted October 26, 2004 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2004 Thanks again Larry and Adallak ! You two ROCK 18 Year Old Male Black 1992 STS 4.9L 90,XXX Miles Flowmaster 80 series muffler Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigfoo Posted October 26, 2004 Report Share Posted October 26, 2004 take the spark plugs out and look at them.. if you have a leaky injector it's pretty easy to see which one it is from the spark plug being wet unless it's a very small leak.. if it's a wiring problem you could unplug injectors one by one and start the car and see results. You could unplug an injector, start it and it should idle rough. then continue on and if you unplug an injector and it doesn't change the idle at all then it's stuck open .. lots of little things that are rather time consuming though that you can do Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adallak Posted October 26, 2004 Report Share Posted October 26, 2004 Aaron, I have recently done spark plug job on my 4.9. It is not that easy - you'll get a lot of scratches and even may brake something on motor that old. Ranger and bigfoo gave you very good advice concerning injectors. It's easier to play with them than with plugs. Good luck and do not get frustrated - whatever you do you LEARN! The saddest thing in life is wasted talent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AaronM Posted October 26, 2004 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2004 I have really learned alot about cars and how they work by this forum. They sure are complex! I am going to buy some Lucas brand fuel injector cleaner. It sounds like its the best stuff and it doesn't contain acetone. I am going to wait to put it in until gas prices go down a little so I can fill her up! Thanks again for all the ideas! It has been a huge help! If the fuel inector stuff doesn't fix it, I have alot of things I can check to keep me busy and out of trouble! 18 Year Old Male Black 1992 STS 4.9L 90,XXX Miles Flowmaster 80 series muffler Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Hall Posted October 26, 2004 Report Share Posted October 26, 2004 I am going to wait to put it in until gas prices go down a little so I can fill her up! Don't think gas is going to be going down very much. Most likely it will do the opposite and go up. If you think it's bad where you're at, $2.75 per gallon for premium here in Southern California should make you feel better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adallak Posted October 26, 2004 Report Share Posted October 26, 2004 Don't think gas is going to be going down very much. Most likely it will do the opposite and go up. If you think it's bad where you're at, $2.75 per gallon for premium here in Southern California should make you feel better.I switched to 89 a year and a half ago and car actually runs even better. The saddest thing in life is wasted talent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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