29
votes
What happened to my car?
Being a diesel and that the engine ran for a minute with the ignition turned off, makes it highly likely that you experienced diesel runaway.
During normal operation, diesel is used as fuel for the ...
- 24.8k
20
votes
Why has my car burnt through all the oil?
If it is burning it's oil, the oil is getting somewhere it shouldn't do - and changing the plugs and coil will make no difference to that!
As the oil smoke is coming out of the exhaust, that suggests ...
- 28.7k
16
votes
How can I detect vacuum leaks without access to a smoke machine?
There are several methods to detect vacuum leaks of unmetered air into the fuel delivery system
One method is to use soapy water in a spray gun.
The real issue here is how are you going to detect a ...
- 33k
14
votes
How can I detect vacuum leaks without access to a smoke machine?
One tool overlooked here is an ultrasonic leak detector.
They work by listening to the noise of a leak. Obviously they would be better used in a totally quiet environment, but it's a possibility. ...
- 6,569
10
votes
How can I detect vacuum leaks without access to a smoke machine?
Some people have stated listening for a vacuum leak noise and if located within a vicinity disconnect and add a new line of the same diameter and get a cigar and blow smoke from the cigar in the line. ...
- 3,685
8
votes
How can I detect vacuum leaks without access to a smoke machine?
@DucatiKiller gives a very good assessment of how to look for leaks. Using these same efforts, you can also use gas from a propane torch around the same areas described. When the gas finds a vacuum ...
- 153k
8
votes
How can I detect vacuum leaks without access to a smoke machine?
One other way to look at this, sort of from a different direction. As I get older I really like being able to do more with less and do so safely. I think its sometimes awesome that an old guy with ...
- 6,569
8
votes
How can I detect vacuum leaks without access to a smoke machine?
This is how I diagnosed a vacuum leak in my car. I removed the air filter from the intake pipe (mine was a turbocharged lancer evolution with an after market intake pipe) started the car. (Make sure ...
- 576
8
votes
Smoke coming from hood. Car turned off . wrong coolant was added..Why wont car turn on or what could be the issue
I'm not a believer in coincidence, so I am 99.9% sure there is a relationship between the oil change and the problems you are having.
It sounds like there has been a catastrophic failure of some sort, ...
- 12.1k
7
votes
How can I detect vacuum leaks without access to a smoke machine?
Another way that has not yet been mentioned is artificially creating a vacuum or pressure in the intake. Vacuum is naturally there when the engine is working, but often the iconic hissing sound a leak ...
7
votes
Can y’all help me out. I have no idea what I’m doing
From your description, it sounds like you have a plugged catalytic converter. The glowing red exhaust pipe and lack of power is what would clue me to that.
- 153k
7
votes
Stihl fs 55 string trimmer not idling and blowing out white smoke
Too much oil tends to make blue smoke, not white.
Use fuel that you've purchased within the past 30 days. Seriously, do this before anything else. Stabilizer or not, some 2-strokes simply won't run ...
- 5,510
6
votes
Accepted
What does it mean when soot is coming out of my exhaust?
There is nothing wrong, water is a byproduct of gasoline combustion.
2 C8H18 + 25 O2 → 16 CO2 + 18 H2O
where C8H18 is the gasoline reacting with oxygen (O2) and giving Carbon-dioxide (CO2) and ...
- 381
6
votes
How can I detect vacuum leaks without access to a smoke machine?
If it's a vacuum leak, it will be sucking in air, and you'll probably be able to hear it. With the rest of the engine making noise, using something to pinpoint the sound would help:
Take a piece of ...
- 698
6
votes
How can I detect vacuum leaks without access to a smoke machine?
There are usually two parts to this diagnosis:
Establish that you have a vacuum leak
If confirmed, find out the source of the malaise
Confirming the presence of a leak
My favorite trick to ...
- 39.1k
5
votes
Anyone have experience with a faulty fuel press? Regulator?
Nice engine you got there! While your issues do sound like a MAF problem (check the MAF readings via OBD!), some turbocharged Volvos are notorious for fuel pressure regulator issues. Basically the ...
5
votes
Is it unreasonable to expect nation chain mechanics to recognize a blown head gasket from a radiator problem before installing new radiator?
I would not immediately assume the repair shop was out to get you. Its possible, but not likely. PepBoys is a national chain, and their best most profitable behavior is to quickly and efficiently ...
- 6,569
5
votes
Why has my car burnt through all the oil?
Since it's a 1.2 I'm betting it's petrol, so you don't have some of the issues that diesels suffer from.
White smoke is often water. Grey/black smoke will be oil. Either way, something is getting ...
- 1,509
5
votes
How can I detect vacuum leaks without access to a smoke machine?
I've used a stick of burning incense. Cheap and simple!
- 159
5
votes
What does it mean when soot is coming out of my exhaust?
A little water is normal especially in colder weather. It is not likely that it is coolant coming out of the exhust, if it was you'd have a lot of other symptoms.
If you vehicle is leaving a ...
- 256
5
votes
Accepted
Thick white (maybe blue) smoke from tailpipe while accelerating, then the smoke stopped and car runs normally
Per your edit, you said the mechanic replaced a PCV valve that was stuck open, causing the excessive smoking. PCV in this case stands for Positive Crankcase Ventilation. The valve is located on the ...
- 6,037
5
votes
What could cause burning engine oil and a decreasing coolant level
I'm 99% sure it's a head gasket problem. The more you drive it, the worse it will get until you'll ruin the engine. Does the oil look like café-au-lait? or is there some oil in coolant reservoir? Only ...
- 111
5
votes
Problems with Turbo Engine of Audi TT 1.8L 2005 150BHP
Smoke emitted from the tailpipe is likely either coolant or, more likely given the oil light, engine oil. The "wooooo" noise you described is in all likelyhood a boost leak. The wipers stopping mid-...
- 23.5k
5
votes
Problems with Turbo Engine of Audi TT 1.8L 2005 150BHP
From the description I'd suspect turbo failure.. and I'm sorry to say that if that's the case you're looking at another big bill.
- 9,989
4
votes
Accepted
1993 toyota 4Runner - White Smoke from under hood and neon yellow liquid leaking from somewhere
It's hard to say exactly what's going on, but you are definitely leaking anti-freeze. Since it is coming from the back of the engine, it could be a bad freeze plug, busted heater hose, or cracked ...
- 153k
4
votes
Brakes Smoking After Driving
Brake dust on the rims is normal, although not usually after a short trip. It sounds like you probably have a stuck caliper. Did you replace the pads and rotors yourself? If so, did you lubricate the ...
- 2,311
4
votes
Accepted
Given that one of the reasons diesel engine produce black smoke is overfueling, why do diesel dragster produce so much soot?
The Primary Reason for Excessive Soot in Diesel Dragsters is Incomplete Combustion
Something to keep in mind regarding diesel dragsters is that they do not use any emissions equipment to more ...
- 33k
4
votes
Blue smoke coming from exhaust
Yes, the blue smoke is most likely the engine burning oil. When the oil burning only happens upon startup, this is usually a sign the valve seals are no longer doing their job. Oil bypasses them as ...
- 153k
4
votes
What could cause burning engine oil and a decreasing coolant level
I agree with the suggestions that it is most likely a head gasket problem – I don't think it is a turbo or a piston ring problem. In my, somewhat limited, experience the VW TDI turbos are quite long ...
- 14.4k
4
votes
overfilled oil, can I drive 1.7 miles to get it drained?
In a word: NO!
Please don't run the engine any more until you get some of it drained. You've got at least 8 quarts too much oil in the engine. This will cause damage to your engine if you run it. You ...
- 153k
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