My car shat a thundercloud!

[BigC3416]

Tonight my friend and I were drivin in our cars and one time when I really got into it my friend who was driving behind me noticed smoke billowing from behind my car. He said it started pouring smoke a few seconds after I shifted into 4th gear but no smoke before then. It kept pouring smoke for a few seconds after I let off the gas. My friend behind me thought I had blown my motor it was smoking so bad. My car still runs fine and has no leaks. It has nearly 150k miles on it and has factory heads, cam, timing chain, internals, and has never had a power adder, but has all the normal bolt ons. It has also had very regular scheduled maintenance. I am pretty confused as to what this could be so if anyone has any ideas I would greatly appreciate it.

Ive heard of there being a problem with the factory valve seats or something like that wearing out after a lot of miles and causing some smoke under acceleration. So I'm wondering if that be the culprit. On a side not I am planning on getting heads and cam in the future but dont have the money right now. Thanks in advance for any replies.

Chris

 

[302fordracer]

What color is the smoke?

 

[BigC3416]

Well it was at night when it happened, but he was pretty certain that it was black smoke. I know my car does puff a little black smoke under full throttle every once in a while, but never to the extreme as he described it.

 

[AznStanger3v]

that would be those valve seals. im with you on that. But the difference is that i only have 55k on the motor. ***** happens.

 

[BigC3416]

Thanks for the replies.I think I might have been mistaken on the color of the smoke though. Last night it looked like black smoke probably because it was so dark, but I talked to someone who has seen my car do this before and he said that it blew white smoke. It wasnt a bluish white smoke, just plain white smoke, so hopefully that doesnt mean burnining oil. And that time it happened around the time i shifted too. Would that still mean valve seals?

Chris

 

[S/CBlack95GT]

. It wasnt a bluish white smoke, just plain white smoke, so hopefully that doesnt mean burnining oil. And that time it happened around the time i shifted too. Would that still mean valve seals?Chris

If it is white smoke then you are burning coolant. Are you losing coolant from your overflow tank? If you are then most likely the head gaskets need replaced.

 

[BigC3416]

I have been having to refill my overflow every few weeks. So I guess its time to start saving up for heads and cam. No point in taking it all off if I'm just gonna put the old worn out E7's back on. Is there anything I should do to make sure it is a head gasket before tearing it all apart? Thanks a lot for the help.

Chris

 

[AznStanger3v]

Is there anything I should do to make sure it is a head gasket before tearing it all apart? Thanks a lot for the help.

Chris

just pretend its the head gasket so you can get the heads and cam

 

[BigC3416]

Good point, dont want to spend all my money on that and it not being the problem though.

 

[302fordracer]

yes white smoke is indeed coolant good call...bluish white I would worry about oil....but definitely if you have been refilling it I think you should check the color of your oil....if it looks kinda like a chocolate milkshake then you know for sure you need a new head gasket....if not get it looked at..cause it sure does sound like a head gasket