Yet another newbie

deuces · 07-05-2006, 02:16 AM

I just picked up an 86 after losing an 87 about 6 years ago to accident. So heres the problem: It smokes pretty bad but everything else seems good so far. The smoke is white so is it water leaking into the cylinder? Has anybody seen this before? I was thinking about taking the head off and replacing the valve rings and head gasket and checking the head for warpage. Is this going too far or a good idea? Is there something else I should take of while im in there? Also for some reason one of the previous owners relocated the oil filter and its now using a truck size filter, why would someone do this? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

canadam · 07-05-2006, 02:19 AM

Welcome ! White smoke typically indicates that water is entering the combustion chamber. You're correct in assuming its likely the head gasket, but damage to the head (warps or cracks) or the block could also be the issue. I suggest having both machined after separating them and before installing the new headgasket.

Raptor13x · 07-05-2006, 02:21 AM

White smoke = coolant.

Check your oil and see if it's milky-looking. If it is, you've almost assuredly got a bad headgasket, but check your compression to be certain.

Definately don't drive it or run it more than absolutely necessary until it's fixed. If your oil is mixed with coolant it will provide very little protection inside your engine.

deuces · 07-05-2006, 02:35 AM

The oil isnt milky

Raptor13x · 07-05-2006, 07:10 AM

I'd recommend doing a compression check next.

deuces · 07-05-2006, 08:30 AM

Ive been reading through all the great threads and was wondering what you guys think about just swapping 4age for a 4agze? would be worth it rather than puttin money in to fixin what i got now and swappin it out later anyway?

SilverMR2 · 07-06-2006, 06:07 PM

depends what you can get a gze for in your area and what kind of condition it is in. I know down here in FL i can pick up a JDM gze and trans w/ecu and harness for $800. When i go to tear into it again i'm doing the swap. It really all depends on what you are doing with the car. and how much $$ you are willing to spend.

deuces · 07-06-2006, 06:41 PM

well i just got a 3sgte for free but i dont wanna go thru all the fabrication to put in an 86. If i can find a MK2 pretty cheap ill put it in that. i think ill rebuild this motor to get the car running and find a gze and take my time on it.

Raptor13x · 07-06-2006, 10:55 PM

You could always sell the 3sgte.

Gattsu · 07-06-2006, 11:37 PM

I don't know a whole lot about cars.... Or even if an MK1 came with turbo, but from my friends experience, a bad turbo was causing white smoke to poor out of his exhaust.

Raptor13x · 07-07-2006, 07:10 AM

The mki never came stock with a turbo, but yes, a bad turbo can cause white smoke, because many turbos are water-cooled.

07-05-2006, 02:16 AM	#1 (permalink)
deuces I see u in my rearview Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 16 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Yet another newbie I just picked up an 86 after losing an 87 about 6 years ago to accident. So heres the problem: It smokes pretty bad but everything else seems good so far. The smoke is white so is it water leaking into the cylinder? Has anybody seen this before? I was thinking about taking the head off and replacing the valve rings and head gasket and checking the head for warpage. Is this going too far or a good idea? Is there something else I should take of while im in there? Also for some reason one of the previous owners relocated the oil filter and its now using a truck size filter, why would someone do this? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

07-05-2006, 02:19 AM	#2 (permalink)
canadam MidshipExpress Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Beautiful British Columbia Posts: 10,399 Thanks: 120 Thanked 142 Times in 121 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (34/100% )	Welcome ! White smoke typically indicates that water is entering the combustion chamber. You're correct in assuming its likely the head gasket, but damage to the head (warps or cracks) or the block could also be the issue. I suggest having both machined after separating them and before installing the new headgasket. __________________

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07-05-2006, 02:21 AM	#3 (permalink)
Raptor13x Legendary Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Farmington Hills, MI Posts: 3,997 Thanks: 7 Thanked 44 Times in 37 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (5/100% )	White smoke = coolant. Check your oil and see if it's milky-looking. If it is, you've almost assuredly got a bad headgasket, but check your compression to be certain. Definately don't drive it or run it more than absolutely necessary until it's fixed. If your oil is mixed with coolant it will provide very little protection inside your engine.

07-05-2006, 02:35 AM	#4 (permalink)
deuces I see u in my rearview Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 16 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	The oil isnt milky

07-05-2006, 07:10 AM	#5 (permalink)
Raptor13x Legendary Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Farmington Hills, MI Posts: 3,997 Thanks: 7 Thanked 44 Times in 37 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (5/100% )	I'd recommend doing a compression check next.

07-05-2006, 08:30 AM	#6 (permalink)
deuces I see u in my rearview Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 16 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Ive been reading through all the great threads and was wondering what you guys think about just swapping 4age for a 4agze? would be worth it rather than puttin money in to fixin what i got now and swappin it out later anyway?

07-06-2006, 06:07 PM	#7 (permalink)
SilverMR2 Cage Fighter Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Orlando, Fl Posts: 137 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	depends what you can get a gze for in your area and what kind of condition it is in. I know down here in FL i can pick up a JDM gze and trans w/ecu and harness for $800. When i go to tear into it again i'm doing the swap. It really all depends on what you are doing with the car. and how much $$ you are willing to spend.

07-06-2006, 06:41 PM	#8 (permalink)
deuces I see u in my rearview Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 16 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	well i just got a 3sgte for free but i dont wanna go thru all the fabrication to put in an 86. If i can find a MK2 pretty cheap ill put it in that. i think ill rebuild this motor to get the car running and find a gze and take my time on it.

07-06-2006, 10:55 PM	#9 (permalink)
Raptor13x Legendary Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Farmington Hills, MI Posts: 3,997 Thanks: 7 Thanked 44 Times in 37 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (5/100% )	You could always sell the 3sgte.

07-06-2006, 11:37 PM	#10 (permalink)
Gattsu 3SGE Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: JAPAN!!!!!!!!!! Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	I don't know a whole lot about cars.... Or even if an MK1 came with turbo, but from my friends experience, a bad turbo was causing white smoke to poor out of his exhaust.

07-07-2006, 07:10 AM	#11 (permalink)
Raptor13x Legendary Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Farmington Hills, MI Posts: 3,997 Thanks: 7 Thanked 44 Times in 37 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (5/100% )	The mki never came stock with a turbo, but yes, a bad turbo can cause white smoke, because many turbos are water-cooled.