My car sat without starting for 5 weeks, and when i started it for the first time when i got back, white smoke came out of the exhaust. The next day it did the same, also whenever i gave the gas pedal a heavy press. I took it in the following day. I got a list of suggested maintenence/repairs the next day. After sleeping in it i approved them. Items included a brake flush, cooling flush, power steering flush, injection service, dynamic engine restoration and some smaller maintenance items. I also had them replace the brakes, which i knee was needed, i had just been putting it off. They did say that flushing the engine wouldn’t guarantee the smoking problem wojld be resolved, but they didnt find any issues that would cause it. They also did say there was a lot of sludge, asked if there had been any issues with a recent oil change or anything like that. He also told me i needed to start using mid grade fuel. So since the maintenance, the car is still smoking, and also its done that ticking/knocking a few times when I’ve given it a bit of gas while driving, along with more smoke. Does anyone have any advice? Experienced something like this and might know what the issue is? Thanks for any suggestions.
You need to answer some questions for us first…
What engine? How many miles on this engine?
Is the check engine light on?
Has the car been using oil?
Does that white smoke smell sweet? Like gas? Oily?
None of the stuff done had anything to do with th3 smoke except maybe the engine cleaning. Really think a different shop should check for a coolant leak into th3 combustion chamber.
I have no idea what a “dynamic engine restoration” is. But either way, these items would not address a complaint of smoking, except on a stretch maybe the injection service.
The fuel grade you use is also not relevant to your issue.
Other than the sights and sounds, does it seem to run ok, and is the check engine light on?
I’d say to ask around among people you know for a locally owned, independent shop with a good reputation. (I.e. no “chain” stores such as Firestones or Meinekes or etc). Take the car to them and ask them to figure out about the smoking.
Me thinks that is nonsense. Your vehicle calls for Regular ( 87 ) and midrange or premium is a waste of money.
You should have deferred the maintenance and brake repairs until after the engine problem was resolved, there is no point in replacing the coolant or power steering fluid if the engine needs to be replaced. The “Dynamic Engine Restoration” was a long shot, unlikely to have restored that engine.
Sure, and you were given the answer by the repair shop:
There are plenty of inexpensive used engines available for that vehicle. It is cheaper and quicker to replace the engine than it would be to attempt to repair the old engine.
Is the oil lev el low?
Check the crankcase ventilation system.
Change rhe oil using a well known brand with current specs.
Assuming the coolant level is OK.
Pour some elixir in the engine and drive around for a while hoping it will dissolve the sludge and restore the engine…not likely.
How did they determine that?