2G White smoke from exhaust?

[Derik]

This is my first time posting. If it's the wrong area just let me know.

I have a 95 Eagle Talon TSi (fwd) and today white smoke started something out of the exhaust. It gets worse with acceleration. It smells like gas, not a sweet smell. The oil looks fine, and so does the coolant. The coolant level hasn't dropped at all, neither has the oil.

There are 2 error codes which the car has had since I purchased it a few weeks ago. The codes are P0170 and P0202. The first code says "Fuel trim bank one. The powertrain control module uses the oxygen sensor to calculate the air/fuel ratio of the engine. The computer has recognized a rich or lean condition on one engine bank only. Probable cause: MAF, O2 sensor defective, Ignition misfire, and fuel injector problem. The second code says "Fuel injector circuit condition - injector number 2. The powertrain control module monitors the fuel injection electrical circuits for opens, shorts and system overload conditions. Probable cause: open or shorted fuel injectors, open or short in electrical circuit, high fuel pressure-pressure regulator, defective fuel-return line, and check TPS and circuit for failure.

The car seems to be running fine. No loss in power, no misfires, still runs strong. Gas mileage is definitely not as good though. Everything under the hood is stock. Any idea of what could be the cause?

 

[Dhan]

White smoke is generally coolant, like you mentioned, and can be indicative of a head gasket issue. Just because the coolant doesn't appear to be dropping, it doesn't mean it isn't being burned. Are you positive it is white smoke and not light gray?

If you perform a compression test, it will show you how much pressure each cylinder is building. This will give a general indicator of the motor's health. Following the results of the compression test, you can do a leak-down test, which will show where the motor is losing compression (if that's an issue).

I would start with a compression test.

As for your codes, it's pretty much telling you what to check. Just start testing the various parts you mentioned. It's that simple

On a turbo 1g, the fuel injector circuit code is usually caused by a poor connection to a fuel injector or an injector that's stuck open. You can test each injector's resistance (ohms) with a voltmeter to see if it is the problem. If all injectors are within spec, it is likely a problem with the wiring or the harness that plus into the injector.
Like I said, that's for a 1g, but the process is similar for a 2g.

Do you have a factory service manual? If you don't, get one! It will illustrate how to properly test every part in your vehicle.

 

[jimsgsx]

I bet you have an injector stuck open. I hope thats it for you. Should be a easy fix. Keep us updated.

 

[Derik]

Thanks for the replies. And when i checked the smoke the sun was staring to go down. I'll recheck tomorrow. I'll test the injectors tomorrow, and if they turn out alright, I'll do a compression test. Just hoping it's not a head gasket or cracked head.. I'll post again as soon as I find out something.

 

[Smilinjay]

Yep if it is white smoke, that's coolant. The first thing i'd do is a compression test. If that's okay, then it could be the turbo.

 

[bduran1220]

Maybe a pcv leak im having trouble finding it on my 97 gst I play with mine and its heavy to light depending what I mess with

 

[Critic4Du3ce]

White smoke means coolant. Goodluck with the compression test hope all is well

 

[mercaholik]

If the car sat awhile or the gas was bad it could be water your seeing. Ethanol is hygroscopic meaning it absorbs water and alcohols mix with water quite well. That's what dry gas is basically, alcohol. You can try adding a bottle and getting some good gas. How bad is the smoke show?

 

[Derik]

Just picked up a multimeter and all the injectors read 2.9 I don't have a service manual and can't seem to find what the numbers should be online. I'm assuming that's ok numbers though since all 4 read the same.

Guess I'll run a compression test tomorrow and hope for the best. I haven't checked the vacuum lines yet, but I'll definitely do that before anything else. I've drove the car pretty much every day for the last few weeks, always use premium fuel from BP. Not sure if the previous owner let it sit though. The smoke isn't that bad. At idle you can barely notice, but once you rev it, it comes out pretty good with each rev with a strong odor of gas.

 

[Dhan]

2-3 ohms is within spec.

Instead of copy/pasting, this thread has a little more info on testing injectors and resistor pack. http://www.dsmtuners.com/threads/i-think-i-have-a-dead-injector.253114/

Vacuum loss wouldn't cause you to burn coolant like that. Vacuum leaks (and the similar boost leaks) both will cause strange behavior, mainly stuttering, bucking, poor acceleration, etc.
Compression test will shed some light on the situation.

And you're sure the smoke's not just condensation?

 

[Wayne]

A cylinder leakdown test is a more conclusive test to do to determine headgasket integrity, a compression test wont always be a clear indicator of a leak if you can get ahold of a leakdown tester try that.