White Smoke On Cold Start Up
Thread Starter
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,535
From: VA
The last couple times I've started my car, it blows a good bit of white smoke out the exhaust for maybe 30 seconds, then it goes away. Funny thing is, it didn't do it until after I changed the coolant. From what I've heard, it's coolant leaking past the notorious "coolant O-rings" and a complete tear-down and rebuild is the only solution.
What I would like to know is, where are these O-rings exactly, does their leaking adversely affect my engine's performance significantly, and how long will these things stick around before going completely?
Thanks in advance for all the knowledgeable answers. Nopistons rules!
What I would like to know is, where are these O-rings exactly, does their leaking adversely affect my engine's performance significantly, and how long will these things stick around before going completely?
Thanks in advance for all the knowledgeable answers. Nopistons rules!
Thread Starter
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,535
From: VA
Yes, I 'm pretty sure it's coolant. Seems to be using a little. Of course, I did just put in a new fuel pump, and actually that's when I first REALLY noticed it. Could it be way rich? I figured that would be black smoke. Guess I'll have to stick my nose up the pipe.... 
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,930
From: IL
it can take a while to 'burp' the system after flushing and filling also...
best thing to do would be a coolant system pressure test... if you confirm it's not leaking coolant pressure anywyere you can move on to checking if it's oil, running rich, or something else.
also, do you still have the sub zero cold start assist connected?
best thing to do would be a coolant system pressure test... if you confirm it's not leaking coolant pressure anywyere you can move on to checking if it's oil, running rich, or something else.
also, do you still have the sub zero cold start assist connected?
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 230
From: West Newton, PA
If the white smoke only happens on cold days, and goes away in a matter of seconds, I wouldnt be too concerned. Especially if your sub-zero is still working, because it injects coolant (via the bottle on the pass side firewall) into the UIM.
Thread Starter
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,535
From: VA
I'm pretty sure the subzero is empty.
I don't know for sure, but I'm guessing the sub-zero starting assist was standard issue on all rotaries up to the second gen. I know my '73 RX-2 had it.
I don't know for sure, but I'm guessing the sub-zero starting assist was standard issue on all rotaries up to the second gen. I know my '73 RX-2 had it.