2G Puff of white smoke from bottom of exhaust manifold.

VolcomDSM · Feb 6, 2017

This is my first time posting on this forum, so please bare with me. I have a 97' Eclipse GS-T Spyder (a.k.a Charlotte). It is completely stock with around 86k miles. I noticed she was miss firing and not having any power behind it, so I decided to start with my spark plugs and wires. When I went to pull them the wires wouldn't pull off the plugs. I literally had to dig them out around the plugs piece by piece. Upon doing so I noticed the plugs where crap. One was had the top broken almost broken off. Someone had installed Iridium plugs. So I went back and placed NGK copper plugs in. She started off really rough...would barely run then die a couple times. So I let it sit for about 5 min, went to start her up and after a minute she ran fine. But my issue is now I have a puff of white smoke (which I'm sure is from coolant) that appears from down around the bottom of my exhaust manifold. I can't see to pinpoint exactly where it is coming from but only occurs when reeving the engine up to about 4k rpms. I can't notice any smoke when driving down the road and she appears to drive just fine, its only when its in park and the hoods up. like I said though its not constantly smoking, its only when I really revved up the engine. Any ideas?

Zero6391 · Feb 6, 2017

hmmmmmmmm maybe the the head gasket is barely starting to go and it leaks very slighty, if it is coolant. have you done a compression test? and it could come from the turbo possible as they are water cooled as well

VolcomDSM · Feb 6, 2017

Zero6391 - thanks for the reply and no I haven't done a compression test yet. It just started yesterday and wasn't that bad. Also there is no smoke coming out my tailpipe which made me think maybe it wasn't my head gasket(not to sure though). Should probably do one still seeing as how it wouldn't hurt. Are there any seals I should check around the turbo? It appears to be boosting just fine so I'm hoping its not because it's going bad.

Also idk if this could be an issue but I ordered NGK BPR6ES plugs but they gave me BPR6EKN plugs. they are still copper but they have two ground electrodes instead of one like the BPR6ES. I plan on ordering the right ones and switching them just didn't know if that would actually have an affect on it.

Zero6391 · Feb 6, 2017

so that smoke isn't coming from the tail pipe, well if its coming from just manifold area then I would check for any oil or coolant leaks in that area. I would check the status of the rubber lines in that area and hard line connections on the turbo, the water pipe is a banjo style with crush washers and the oil feed is a bolt on so maybe one of those seal are leaking and spraying under pressure onto the manifold which will heat and create smoke. do you notice oil on the turbo or in the area under the manifold? also is there a noticeable oil/coolant consumption? and as for the plugs I would say things will run better with 6es I use the 6es with no issues but have never used to the double electrode one so I cant say to much on performance difference, but will vouch for the 6es tho

jim95redgsx · Feb 6, 2017

I had a similar smoking problem one time. It turned out to be a small pinhole leak in one of the rubber coolant lines going to the oil cooler (behind the oil filter).

Those double ground electrode spark plugs are not designed for use with a turbo. They can lead to overheating of one or more of the ground electrodes, resulting in detonation or an electrode breaking off.

Jim

VolcomDSM · Feb 6, 2017

Zero6391 - I have noticed oil under the manifold area but there isn't any oil on the turbo itself. I'll have to jack up the car tonight and check it out. I haven't noticed a major oil/coolant consumption but the car does lose oil. I have to check it periodically between oil changes cause it will drop down, but I've never noticed it doing it before, doesn't mean it wasn't though. I wan't to go with the 6ES but autozone said they weren't compatible with my car....I don't think that is true, is it?....I didn't think they made different size spark plugs.

VolcomDSM · Feb 6, 2017

jim95redgsx - thats awesome to know. I'll check there first. I'm really hoping its something as simple as this. I've been driving her like a grandma in the fear of causing more damage.

as far as the spark plugs...thats what I've heard that the double G.E's don't perform well with the turbos. It seems though that nobody really caries the 6ES around me.

VolcomDSM · Feb 6, 2017

My main question with the spark plugs is....is there a certain size that fits the car or is the 6ES a standard size? I was going to order them from Amazon but wanted to make sure there isn't a difference.

Zero6391 · Feb 6, 2017

BPR6ES they work don't let them tell you otherwise LOL

http://www.dsmtuners.com/threads/spark-plug-faq.233421/

its a little old but good read and maybe where ever that oil is coming from will be the root cause of the smoke could just be seeping from the head gasket area and dripping down to the exhaust pipe below

Brembo · Feb 6, 2017

Their is probably something burning near the manifold area. Usually you can tell coolant from oil just by smelling it. Go for a Long drive and see if it goes away. Also make sure you not leaking exhaust fumes. I think jumping on head gasket front the start is not really the way to go. If you don't see it behind you then it should not be very bad. Maybe you drop some silicone on the pipe and now it's burning off go under and check.

jim95redgsx · Feb 6, 2017

VolcomDSM said:
My main question with the spark plugs is....is there a certain size that fits the car or is the 6ES a standard size? I was going to order them from Amazon but wanted to make sure there isn't a difference.

Get the BPR6ES plugs. Do not get the BPR6ES-11 plugs. The BPR6ES-11 plugs are gapped at 1.1mm (0.044"). The BPR6ES plugs are gapped at 0.032". These should be re-gapped to no more than 0.028".

Jim

VolcomDSM · Feb 6, 2017

So I took a look at when I got home and didn't see anything that appeared to be leaking on to it. Now it's still to warm to take off the heat shield but the smoke seamed to be coming from behind it. Right about where the exhaust manifold meets the turbo...not 100% sure. It only happens when the car is warmed and you really have to have the engine revved up. I don't know a lot about turbos(this is my first one) but I have a feeling it has something to do with it?

VolcomDSM · Feb 6, 2017

jim95redgsx said:
Get the BPR6ES plugs. Do not get the BPR6ES-11 plugs. The BPR6ES-11 plugs are gapped at 1.1mm (0.044"). The BPR6ES plugs are gapped at 0.032". These should be re-gapped to no more than 0.028".

Jim

I ordered the 6ES online. I'm going to pull out the 6EKN as soon as they get here. Plan on trading out these import direct wires for ngks as well.

VolcomDSM · Feb 6, 2017

I did want to note that I my radiator cap is leaking. So I took of the cap when the motor was cold started her up. I noticed air bubbles....is that normal?

Brembo · Feb 6, 2017

Are you low on coolant? Do you have heat? Pressurize the coolant system and see if you leaking. Pressurize the cap and see if it holds the correct pressure. Finally bleed the coolant system. You might have air in the system. Once you bleed it really good with a funnel drive it hard. If you start pushing coolant than you need to check how much pressure you building in the coolant system. If you do then compressions is getting into the coolant system. In my opinion that would be the last thing to check.

Brembo · Feb 6, 2017

But no. Their should not be bubbles in the coolant system. If it's working good.

Brembo · Feb 6, 2017

Also check fan operation. Make sure it comes on. Make sure both hoses get hot.

pauleyman · Feb 7, 2017

jim95redgsx said:
I had a similar smoking problem one time. It turned out to be a small pinhole leak in one of the rubber coolant lines going to the oil cooler (behind the oil filter).

Those double ground electrode spark plugs are not designed for use with a turbo. They can lead to overheating of one or more of the ground electrodes, resulting in detonation or an electrode breaking off.

Jim

Yes they are. Ekn is the stock 2g plug. Its fine to run them.

VolcomDSM · Feb 7, 2017

Brembo said:
Are you low on coolant? Do you have heat? Pressurize the coolant system and see if you leaking. Pressurize the cap and see if it holds the correct pressure. Finally bleed the coolant system. You might have air in the system. Once you bleed it really good with a funnel drive it hard. If you start pushing coolant than you need to check how much pressure you building in the coolant system. If you do then compressions is getting into the coolant system. In my opinion that would be the last thing to check.

I was a little low on coolant but not sure if it was because of the cap or not. I'll have to give bleeding it our a try and see if that helps. Any idea on what would cause it to bubble like that? I have one fan that kicks on but the second one doesn't. Not sure if it only kicks on when it gets to a certain temp.

Brembo · Feb 7, 2017

Everyone had their own ideas but some people tend to over think everything. I just saying make sure that the basic stuff is in working order. Second fan is for a/c. If you low a little then it's fine. But usually if you are burning something then You will run low on something. If you have heat, it don't over heat, it don't mix with oil, their is no smoke behind you, then you don't have a coolant problem. Change the cap, blead it and leave it alone. Inspect under for wetness.

Brembo · Feb 7, 2017

Bubbling could be over heating. Which you are stating that it is not doing. Could also mean that their is air in the system. Now it could also mean that compression is getting into coolant system. But most of these make the car overheat and we are dealing with smoke. So

A.You burning something

B.You have exhaust leak

Other then that we need to see this smoke. Take a picture.

joemamma · Feb 8, 2017

i had the exact same problem-bubles in coolant-compression test ok, leak test ok, coolant pressure test ok---still ended up being a blown head gasket

Brembo · Feb 8, 2017

joemamma said:
i had the exact same problem-bubles in coolant-compression test ok, leak test ok, coolant pressure test ok---still ended up being a blown head gasket

I am just asked not trying to be rude. What were your symptoms? I had 2013 Jeep Grandcherokee with 3.6 that was severely overheating during hard driving. Normal driving was fine. The kick was that it pushed coolant out once in a while from the overflow. 38k mile car. But I could tell that I am missing coolant. But over here we not missing coolant and we are not overheating we just have smoke only at 4K rpm and the car drives good, no misfires. Normally you try something that is not expensive first and then think of the worst.

joemamma · Feb 8, 2017

this is true but you said you have bubbles in coolant--you can check another way too , you can buy test strips that will tell you if combustion gasses have or are present in the coolant--the wisp of smoke may be a different problem-just trying to help. and the issue was on a 1g eclipse n/a

i didn't think you were being rude

VolcomDSM · Feb 8, 2017

Brembo said:
Bubbling could be over heating. Which you are stating that it is not doing. Could also mean that their is air in the system. Now it could also mean that compression is getting into coolant system. But most of these make the car overheat and we are dealing with smoke. So

A.You burning something

B.You have exhaust leak

Other then that we need to see this smoke. Take a picture.

I can take a video of what it's doing during lunch today and post it on here. I think it'll better help explain what is going on LOL

The Top DSM Community on the Web

2G Puff of white smoke from bottom of exhaust manifold.

VolcomDSM

Zero6391

VolcomDSM

Zero6391

jim95redgsx

VolcomDSM

VolcomDSM

VolcomDSM

Zero6391

Brembo

jim95redgsx

VolcomDSM

VolcomDSM

VolcomDSM

Brembo

Brembo

Brembo

pauleyman

VolcomDSM

Brembo

Brembo

joemamma

Brembo

joemamma

VolcomDSM

Similar threads

Latest posts

Build Thread Updates

Vendor Updates

Latest Classifieds