puffs of smoke- when will it end?

[427James]

Engine is back together and now appears to work perfectly (following a new coil pack this weekend).

I should have known better than to believe I could now get some trouble free motoring out of it. When I accelerate I get a white puff of smoke out of the bonnet. I dont think its head gasket since they are new and just fitted. I suspect its am exhaust manifold gasket (I hope it is!).

Any one any idea where I can get one/if they are off something else?

James.

[mark.rowe]

The exhaust manifolds are just metal to metal, no gaskets.
You will here it straight away if your manifold is blowing or cracked too as they sound like a WW2 spitfire!

No idea what might be causing it though

Maybe just some anti seize or copperlsip burning off?

Edited by mark.rowe on Sunday 5th November 18:47

[427james]

Seems unlikely as its only when you accelerate. WIll check oil as this is sounding depressingly head gasket-esque, even though they have only just been changed.

[D.A.Z.]

james did you use copper head gasket,i know this is no help to you just curious mate.
Daz

[longbow]

Exhust manifolds use silicone sealant, but you wouldn't get white smoke if it was leaking. Are you sure it isn't steam - sometimes if you get water in the engine bay it can splash onto the manifolds creating puffs of steam.

[427james]

Hey Daz, hows it going? No, ordered the normal ones from TVR power, thought that the copper ones from Austec were a little too expensive!

Got your pistons yet?

Thinking about it, head gasket would be white smoke in the exhaust, not engine bay.

I will strip it down later, its too depressing.

[427james]

Thanks Longbow. My main concern is that its only coming when I use the loud pedal. Seems to be coming from the right bank under the air intakes. Will take them off and check out the source.

Drove it 60 miles today with the problem, but no probs with water loss or oil pressure/levels.

Confused. Hopefully someone may have had a similar problem and can let me know.

[GreenV8S]

If people have been working around the engine bay then you will probably have oily fingerprints and so on all over the place, so give it a few days to settle down / dry up / burn off before you jump to any conclusions, but white smoke would make me think steam/water so look for a water leak or leaky breather.

[longbow]

I'd definitely see if either oil or water is leaking onto your manifolds. For example, if your rocker cover is leaking oil, it may be puddling somewhere, and when you accelerate it might cause this puddle to spill onto the manifold giving the white smoke. I know you always want to think the worst with Cerberas, but I'm sure this is something fairly simple!!

[427james]

Thanks GreenSv8. My only concern is that its throttle induced. Doesn't seem to matter what revs. Thats why I thought it may not be a leaking pipe. Also, water levels haven't dropped noticeably (a bit but only normal). Having said that its not a LOT of steam/smoke.

James.

[427james]

Thanks Longbow, I hope its not serious. It happens at stationary when I blip the throttle. Only happens when shes warm, so steam is possible/likely I guess.

[jensena]

Keep checking your water level, if its a head gasket, than then you'll probaby find the your water level dropping. Also do you have antifreeze in the water? I've got a very small water leak on my Honda's radiator, only a tiny pin prick hole, but you can really smell the antifreeze, it has a strong distinctive smell, you cant miss it. If you have anitfreeze in your water, the chances are you'd be able to smell it.

[D.A.Z.]

427james said:

Hey Daz, hows it going? No, ordered the normal ones from TVR power, thought that the copper ones from Austec were a little too expensive!

Got your pistons yet?

Thinking about it, head gasket would be white smoke in the exhaust, not engine bay.

I will strip it down later, its too depressing.

hello mate in answer to your question,i am fine thanks,no pistons or car,not really ment to talk about it without my councilor present,hope you get yours sorted
Daz

[427james]

Is that your emotional councillor? I know it gets bad with these cars but dont let it affect your mental health!

Let me know how it goes, I am grateful for the calls you gave me when mine was t~ts up (touch wood it isnt now!).

James

[TooTall Paul]

Hi James, you say from the right hand bank, does that mean drivers side ?

[Guillotine]

I'd be very careful.

white smoke means oil not water, when you accelerate indicates crank pressure.
ie, valve seals...not too bad. or possibly rings/head gasket.

get it leak down tested quick I'm afraid. sooner rather than later.

good luck

andy

[methodwares]

Check the breather pipe, it may have come off.

[427james]

I will check. I pray its something that simple!

Having just rewired it to cure the misfire, I suspect the misfire may have taken out a ring or 2, but oil pressure is fine.

I have a foreboding feeling about all of this.

[RUSSELLM]

methodwares said:

Check the breather pipe, it may have come off.

After my last clutch, the garage returned mine with the breather pipe disconnected.

[methodwares]

427james said:

Having just rewired it to cure the misfire, I suspect the misfire may have taken out a ring or 2, but oil pressure is fine.

rings have nothing to do with maintaining oil pressure, and if it was a ring you'd see rank smelling blueish smoke out the exhaust