Occassional Smoke from Left Bank

[robinrussellcook]

I noticed on the week end that I occassionally get smoke from the left exhaust.

It was happening intermittently at idle and later on a trailing throttle. However, it appeared to stop when the car was hot and/or accelerating.

I tested the O2 sensors and these appear to be operating normally. There did not appear to be a miss or any other problem. The only other observation that the left bank idle was not as smooth as the right - just looking at the exhaust pipe - there was an occassional vibration on the left side.

Any suggestions as to where to start?

It is a 96 V8 which has done 40k. Only modifications are to the exhaust - high flo cats and resonators.

Thanks for your help.

[actwon]

I noticed on the week end that I occassionally get smoke from the left exhaust.

It was happening intermittently at idle and later on a trailing throttle. However, it appeared to stop when the car was hot and/or accelerating.

I tested the O2 sensors and these appear to be operating normally. There did not appear to be a miss or any other problem. The only other observation that the left bank idle was not as smooth as the right - just looking at the exhaust pipe - there was an occassional vibration on the left side.

Any suggestions as to where to start?

It is a 96 V8 which has done 40k. Only modifications are to the exhaust - high flo cats and resonators.

Thanks for your help.

It's more than likely that the car is cold. This is normal for a cold engine. All cars have the smoke come out of the exhaust until it warms up. However, the vibration could be a loose mount in the engine bay or a loose metal manifold cover. I heard of this before, but I don't remember the solution.

In the event that you, continuosly, see smoke while the car is hot and running, here is a small key:

White: Turbo needs to be replaced

Blue: Oil is getting past piston rings

Grey: Coolant is getting into Combustion Chamber

Hope this helps you.

[Paula&Marcus]

Robin,

What kind of smoke is it ?

Is it grey smoke, or blue smoke, or black smoke, or white smoke, or more like a white steam ... or whatever smoke is it ?

You know, not all smoke is the same ....

I'ts very important to know what kind of smoke you have there ......

Cheers

Marcus

I noticed on the week end that I occassionally get smoke from the left exhaust.

It was happening intermittently at idle and later on a trailing throttle. However, it appeared to stop when the car was hot and/or accelerating.

I tested the O2 sensors and these appear to be operating normally. There did not appear to be a miss or any other problem. The only other observation that the left bank idle was not as smooth as the right - just looking at the exhaust pipe - there was an occassional vibration on the left side.

Any suggestions as to where to start?

It is a 96 V8 which has done 40k. Only modifications are to the exhaust - high flo cats and resonators.

Thanks for your help.

[Redrocket]

I agree with nathan, I had the same thing on my 97 and it was better to do both turbos at the same time? It started out just like you said but later on it got worse. Hopefully its something else cheaper.

Julian

[robinrussellcook]

Hi Marcus

I ran the car today in the garage at idle until it warmed up - no smoke!!!

The smoke earlier wasn't black and the left exhuast doesn't look noticeable different from the right as I would have expected if the left was burning oil.

I did notice that there was condensation/moisture from the left had pipe (the side the smoke was on) until warm and then no more noticeable moisture.

I also checked the coolant level again - no change over the last 18 months.

Any thoughts on next steps or what to check?

Thanks.

Edited January 16, 2007 by robinrussellcook

[actwon]

Hi Marcus

I ran the car today in the garage at idle until it warmed up - no smoke!!!

The smoke earlier wasn't black and the left exhuast doesn't look noticeable different from the right as I would have expected if the left was burning oil.

I did notice that there was condensation/moisture from the left had pipe (the side the smoke was on) until warm and then no more noticeable moisture.

I also checked the coolant level again - no change over the last 18 months.

Any thoughts on next steps or what to check?

Thanks.

Robin,

That's normal. My Esprit does that. Like I said in an earlier post, all cars exhibit that behavior when it is cold outside. Don't worry about it. Start worrying if you see smoke all of the time whether your car is cold or warm.

[robinrussellcook]

Thanks for the comments - fyi - currently very warm outside - I live in Australia.

- Robin