Smoking and probs?

[stevieyid]

where did u buy it from? do Halfords sell it? Thanks for your help

[T2Andy]

Picked it up from a garage when we had a meeting last week but most specialist sell it .

[DJones]

You really need to get the running temps right first 50 degres is no good.

[stevieyid]

i got myself a thermostat just need to get it fitted. Its quite a big job isnt it?

[DJones]

hard to get at not hard to do.....

[stevieyid]

I remeber MRC saying it needs the pas pump removing or something like that so way to technical for me. How much labour would it take a specialist do u think?

[twoqu]

Hi!
As a rule the following applies:
White smoke = water
Blue smoke = oil
Black smoke = fuel.
Each has there own characteristic smell. Its difficult to explain but coolant smells "sweet"! You must have smelt oil being burnt by following any Ford!
Clearly if you are combusting any of the above then the levels should be decreasing.
Is the car actually running at 50 degrees or is it that the gauge is only indicating that?
If the engine is running at 50 degrees then that needs sorting. Not only will the ecu think the fuelling needs enrichenment but you won't be getting the engine warm enough to burn off condensation etc.
Does the filler cap/dip stick have any white emulsion on it?
Of course you may have a crack somewhere in the cylinderhead rather than an head gasket problem if you are using water.

[stevieyid]

thats interesting about the condensation. It does seem to be worse in the mornings and when u first start the car. I think it is the thermostat as when your in traffic it does rise to to just above 90 then the fan cuts in. When i had it dynoed at QST kiim said he thought it was probably the thermostat. There is no sludge and the the head gasket was done not to long ago.

[twoqu]

Hi!
Well get that sorted first.
It might just be a lot of condensation from the exhaust. If it is whispy steam like smoke that evaporates. Lets hope so

[stevieyid]

The car to me does not seem to run as well in damp adn raining conditions could this be caused by the thermostat. Another thing i have not mentioned is that i drive to work in it a very short distance could this also cause problems?

[twoqu]

Hi!

Short trips in a car that isn't getting hot isn't desirable. That why cars have thermostats so that the car reaches operating temperature quicker.
Can you attempt to describe the smell? Condensation doesen't really smell as its basically steam. Whereas coolant i.e antifreeze will smell.
By the way, I don't make a habit of sniffing exhaust pipes but sometimes it can be a useful diagnostic aid!

[stevieyid]

not really sure smells a bit sort of carbon minoxidey-ish very hard to explain. I was thinking with the thermostat not working properly and all the short journeys that would add up to a lot of condensation and carbon deposits could that be it? Also would a boost leak of some sort cause any smoke?