So I'm standing behind my car today.....

[tonys5.0]

I'm restoring an 87 5.0 hatchback automatic and the car is hardly driven.

Today I fired it up and noticed light blue/grayish smoke seaping from the rear passenger side exhaust pipe. The smoke seems to seap out in spurts and then in larger puffs. I also noticed some condinsation dripping from both pipes but not too much. The car runs strong and idles perfect but I can hear a small ticking noise coming from rear passenger side of the motor. I'm not sure if it's a small header leak or if it's internal but I will focus on that this coming weekend.

For now, can anyone give their advise or opinion as to what could be causing the smoke to come out of just the passenger side exhaust pipe? I did a search on this forum, but not too much help.

Thanks,
Tony

By the way, the engine is bone stock other than a few small add-ons, such as MSD 6A ignition control, MSD coil, ford racing 9mm wires, msd cap and rotor, 140AMP alternator, Optima battery, UPR cold pipe, BBK headers, X pipe and flowmasters.

 

[jerry beach]

More than likely its just condensation during warmup. Mine does this out of the left pipe sometimes. If the smoke dissapears quickly, its water vapor. Oil smoke will linger in the air. You would be able to smell the oil too. Once the engine is good and hot it should stop smoking.

Use a short length of garden hose and your ear to locate the ticking. Try around where the header bolts to the H-pipe, thats my guess. There are no gaskets at this flange if its stock. Only way to stop it is tighten the nuts on the studs. Mine didnt move and I had to take the header off and replace the studs.

 

[Mavrick]

I'm restoring an 87 5.0 hatchback automatic and the car is hardly driven.

Today I fired it up and noticed light blue/grayish smoke seaping from the rear passenger side exhaust pipe. The smoke seems to seap out in spurts and then in larger puffs. I also noticed some condinsation dripping from both pipes but not too much. The car runs strong and idles perfect but I can hear a small ticking noise coming from rear passenger side of the motor. I'm not sure if it's a small header leak or if it's internal but I will focus on that this coming weekend.

My car does the same thing, from the passenger side rear of the motor (around cylinder #4). I was told by a friend (and old time hot rodder) that it is just valve train rattle. It is most definetly not a leak at the header, in my case.

 

[ImportEater98]

Could be any of the above for sure. If the car sits a lot without running your valve seals could be leaking by. These dry up and start to get brittle with time if no oil gets on them. Most of the time the smoking will go away after the engine runs for a while and gets the oil circulating. The ticking could also be a stuck or colapsed lifter. Those are both "worst-case" scenarios. Hopefully its what the other's mentioned above.
GOod Luck
-John

 

[Trefty]

The car runs strong and idles perfect but I can hear a small ticking noise coming from rear passenger side of the motor. I'm not sure if it's a small header leak or if it's internal but I will focus on that this coming weekend.

I had the same problem, a ticking/rattling noise that intensified during acceleration. Turned out my header gasket was basically gone, replaced it, and the noise went away. I would guess that is where the problem is.

 

[dastang2]

could be a bad valve guide or seal like already said. that usually only does it on startup and hard accelleration. the water in the pipe is normal