white smoke n hp loss

[ProfessorTrev]

96 sedan deville
My pops took it to the dealership and they said it was a cracked block, but I didn't believe it so I spoke with a few mechanics and they think its something else.
What happens is when I'm driving and hit about 60mph the car starts missing. Not to mention the white smoke coming from the exhaust.
I stopped driving it so in case it was a cracked block the oil and water don't mix.
Anyone else have this problem before?

[Ranger]

Start by pulling the DTC's. A cracked block is very rare. No smoke at idle?

[ProfessorTrev]

Aight, after standing out in balls cold weather (below 20 F) I managed to pull the codes:

PC0603
IP1552
PZ1552
RF2560
PCM?

The car does blow the white smoke at idle but after running it for a while it doesn't do it anymore.
After reading around I've discovered that it could be water or antifreeze going in the exhaust making the white smoke. And at times can be normal, but from my understanding it happens a lot.

[submariner409]

Bad winter for pre-'00 Sevilles/deVilles.

Are you losing any coolant from the surge tank? Do you have to fill it to the mark every few days? What does the "white smoke" smell like?

Go to one of the car parts houses and get a coolant test kit. Cheap. That will tell you what's in the coolant other than good things.

If your surge tank has orange fluid, it's DEXCOOL. Green is older style coolant. Top up with same type, and don't overfill.

If the car emits considerable vapor for a while and then stops, with no coolant loss or overheating, you're home free. Normal in cold temps. Probably pisses on the garage floor under the mufflers, too.

Best of all worlds: Tuneup, throttlebody cleaning, plugs, wires time. Worst case: Leaking headgasket(s).

[ProfessorTrev]

I don't remember what the smoke smelled like but I didn't have to refill the coolant level that much. Only every few months....which I thought was average. I think my pops checked the plugs, but I'll recheck tomorrow when it gets light again and not as cold.

[Ranger]

You should NEVER have to add coolant. Next time it is idling and "smoking", go back there and stick your nose right in it and take a good whiff. It will either smell like coolant, oil or gas. Let us know what it is.

[ProfessorTrev]

"go back there and stick your nose right in it and take a good whiff."

ROFL geez dood, you tryin to kill me? I don't know much about cars but I do recall Carbon monoxide in science class.
Will do tomorrow though! I'll definitely check it tomorrow after my pop recharges the battery. She hasn't been ran for a while and needs to juice.

[Ranger]

Hehe, one good whiff won't hurt you any.

[Crown Vic Owner]

I believe YOU ranger recommended cleaning the tailpipes, driving the car, and seeing what color it is.

A antifreeze test for exhaust gases costs around 20 bucks IIRC, might be worthwhile

[Ranger]

Nope, that wasn't me. I don't think it would show any color.

[Crown Vic Owner]

I thought also by smell of the carbon buildup on the pipes.

[Ranger]

Either way, it would not show any color to identify it as coolant.

[Crown Vic Owner]

Ok,


i dont know where i read that on here.

[ProfessorTrev]

I'm still at work now, I don't get to try er out till later but what about the HP loss. She don't like going faster than 60 mph. Could that be a result of the exhaust?
And do you really think this could be a cracked block? Or am I right for thinking the dealership was trying to get my pops? Its amazing cause after that he gave up on the car and was like I could have it.

[ProfessorTrev]

Ok, I've returned from being under the hood for about 3 hours. My back hurts and my fingers are still numb.
The white smoke...I put my nose directly in the tail pipe, as i was told, and it smelled like gas.....thats all i smelled....no antifreeze....no oil (which I thought was blue smoke), i anything water....because water has no smell. It just smelled like gas. Everytime I rev'd my engine, more white smoke would pile and thrust into the air.
There is a small clicking noise....not sure where just yet though.
I looked at the oil and it was normal.
I checked the transmission fluid (took me approx 45 mins to find) and it was fine.
Couldn't check coolant...I couldn't find the bottle. Not sure where it is just yet.
Only thing that was low was windshield wiper fluid.
She sounded nice though when I rev'd.
I spent a great deal of time with the flat tires...they are all cool now though.