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Dreaded White Smoke 200

posted by joellesvolvito on Thu Dec 9 16:47 CST 2010
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last visit: Tue Feb 12 19:26 CST 2013

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Hello Brickboard,

My Girlfriend recently purchased a 93 245 119K classic off of craigslist in MD. Car was straight and a rust free original CA Car. However mechanically in need of some TLC.

So far I have:

-Changed Oil replaced filter
-Changed Flame Trap and Housing
-Put on new rear pads
-Replaced all bulbs
-Replaced both front inner and outer tie rods
-called volvo for radio code
-Replaced Timing belt cover.... it was missing (shout out crazy rays in Jessup)
-Replaced Fan Shroud...it was cracked(shout out American auto salvage on rt 1 in NOVA )
-took of broken map pockets
-I also broke the odometer by zeroing it out while driving ( 26 tooth gear ordered)

Took to local shop on hill to:

-Replace RF ball joint.
-radiator flush

Besides a small oil leak (size of half dollar spot after sitting a few days). I was hoping the odometer, antenna and a right front passenger side tan door handle trim piece was the only thing left to do. This morning my girlfriend emailed me at work and said car had a rough start and produced alot of white smoke at idle.

Tonight I went over to check and sure enough fired of first crank but rough idle that dissipated to smooth idle after a few pumps. However the start created a cloud of sweet smelling white smoke. Prior to start car has been sitting on street in capitol hill for 5 days. Previous starts produced a bit of white smoke that has dissipated after a few moments. This was a lot more than that and I am hoping it is something I can fix or condensation from the cold night and not the dreaded head gasket.

Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated.

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Dreaded White Smoke 200

posted by j.pelchat on Fri Dec 10 01:26 CST 2010
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last visit: Fri Oct 24 07:02 CST 2014

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What about the coolant temp sensor. It has recently gotten cold in the Old Dominion. Rough cold start and quickly smoothing
--
89 240 Wagon 225K, 94 940 190K

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Dreaded White Smoke 200

posted by joellesvolvito on Fri Dec 10 03:42 CST 2010
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last visit: Tue Feb 12 19:26 CST 2013

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My only reason to belive it is not head gasket is that Car is not leaking any coolant and recently passed inspection with no problems. However, If coolant was even seeping (small crack in gasket ) into chamber would it have passed? Cold weather might enlage the small crack leading to the bigger "cloud" on start? Thus confirming headgasket? Shop is full and wont be able to fit me in till monday morning.

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Dreaded White Smoke 200 1981

posted by 81242DLB21FCA on Fri Dec 10 00:33 CST 2010
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last visit: Thu Oct 23 22:26 CST 2014

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It does sound like a leaking head gasket and due to overheating as well. How it overheated with no major coolant leaks is a mystery. It is also a mystery how a CA car ended up for sale in MD. You could have leak down tests done to the cylinders and the cooling system.

I think the key thing to doing it yourself is not to be in a rush. Take the time to make sure everything is checked and done right so you don't have to do it over or give up the car.

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Dreaded White Smoke 200 1981

posted by joellesvolvito on Fri Dec 10 00:49 CST 2010
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last visit: Tue Feb 12 19:26 CST 2013

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Taking to shop to diagnosis today. It is very weird indeed car has been running great for a month since purchase. Passed emissions and oil was old but not milk chocolate when changed. Also car never overheated during that time and driven in town /highway. and again some white color at previous starts but nothing like this. Any thing else this could be?

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Dreaded White Smoke 200

posted by Jorrell on Thu Dec 9 17:12 CST 2010
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last visit: Thu Dec 27 03:00 CST 2012

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"IF" you are losing coolant and have sweet smelling steam out the tail pipe, at a minimum, you have a blown head gasket. Sorry for delivering the bad news.

jorrell
--
92 245 299.3K miles, IPD'd to the hilt, 06 XC70, 00 Eclipse custom Turbo setup...currently taking names and kicking reputations!

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Dreaded White Smoke 200

posted by joellesvolvito on Thu Dec 9 17:20 CST 2010
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last visit: Tue Feb 12 19:26 CST 2013

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Thanks for response. last time i checked coolant was not low. If burning coolant due to head gasket is there a better test than smell. I feel like all 240 fumes smell sweet to me. Also car just passed inspections last month and i just drove the car 2 weeks ago 200 mile round trip no probs and no noticeable smoke.

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Dreaded White Smoke 200

posted by Goatman on Thu Dec 9 18:00 CST 2010
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last visit: Sat Jul 26 20:30 CST 2014

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Joel,

What is the cold rest pressure in the cooling system? If it makes a venting sound when you remove the cap and the engine is 30 degrees, it’s a safe bet that there is combustion gas in the cooling system.

You can also buy those little exhaust gas chemical test strips.

Goatman
--
I am looking for an honest man. - Diogenes of Sinope

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Dreaded White Smoke 200

posted by joellesvolvito on Thu Dec 9 18:07 CST 2010
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last visit: Tue Feb 12 19:26 CST 2013

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Thanks, i will pop top tomorrow am and see if there is hissing or venting sound. This amount of smoke couldn't be from condensation or sitting on a cold street?

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Dreaded White Smoke 200

posted by Goatman on Thu Dec 9 18:16 CST 2010
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last visit: Sat Jul 26 20:30 CST 2014

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Joel,

The Combustion chamber should be relatively dry. It certainly should not produce a ¨Cloud¨ upon start up. Not to say that the air in the combustion chamber has no humidity content, in fact it is relatively wet in those terms. It’s just not enough to make a cloud, and not ¨full of water¨.

Sounds like you have a nice winter project. Check out Cometic Gaskets for Volvo Redblocks.

Goatman
--
I am looking for an honest man. -

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Dreaded White Smoke 200

posted by joellesvolvito on Thu Dec 9 18:25 CST 2010
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Goatman,

thanks for sage info. I think this might be out of my limited ability to accomplish myself. Do you know what replacing a head gasket should set me back at a shop? and is the car drivable now if coolant is not low and has no overheating probs?

Joelle's Volovito

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Dreaded White Smoke 200

posted by Goatman on Thu Dec 9 18:31 CST 2010
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last visit: Sat Jul 26 20:30 CST 2014

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Joelle,

Stop driving the car immediately. The possibility of engine damage is real.

You pay for what you get at a shop. You pay Bozo low wages, you get a job done by a Bozo. I know that a good Indy shop around here charges around about 800-900 dollars.

It was said that these cars might be best for those who work on them, as is with anything that has a low value, but high repair costs.

You would do well to learn, and have the power of ability for the next time.

Goatman
--
I am looking for an honest man. - Diogenes of Sinope

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Dreaded White Smoke 200

posted by joellesvolvito on Thu Dec 9 18:37 CST 2010
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I know the repairs so far have been great but most of them have been in my apartment garage on jackstands. I don't think i have the tools for this job and i don't really have the money to pay a shop. Ugh looks like i am screwed.

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Dreaded White Smoke 200

posted by Goatman on Thu Dec 9 18:56 CST 2010
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Joelle,

The tools that you will need are basic. So that’s really just an excuse. I’d say it could be done with a wrench set, a socket set, and a torque wrench. You’ll need a power drill / wire wheel and a dusk mask to clean the engine castings.

Look at kjet.org

Goatman
--
I am looking for an honest man. - Diogenes of Sinope

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Dreaded White Smoke 200

posted by joellesvolvito on Thu Dec 9 19:06 CST 2010
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Oh I thought you had to resurface head once you took it off. I am just a novice to working on cars. If this can be done in my apt garage i will totally try it. Do you know if there are any step by step pdf's online? Sorry for all the questions. I just don't want my girlfriend's (joelle) volvo to die esp since we were looking for a cheap beater.

Thanks for the help

TED

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Dreaded White Smoke 200

posted by Goatman on Thu Dec 9 19:15 CST 2010
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last visit: Sat Jul 26 20:30 CST 2014

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Joelle,

You may have to resurface the head, yes, if it has been overheated in the past. That is really not that expensive and may not even be necessary. If you are really looking to do it on the cheap just slap it together. Remember what I said about Bozo though.

Again, kjet.org

Goatman
--
I am looking for an honest man. - Diogenes of Sinope

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Dreaded White Smoke 200

posted by joellesvolvito on Thu Dec 9 19:27 CST 2010
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last visit: Tue Feb 12 19:26 CST 2013

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Goatman,

Thanks i do not want to be a bozo. Checking out kjet.org and will update when i replace. Any advice for first time novice replacing a head gasket? Also thanks for responding this site and posters here are a godsend.

Thanks

TED

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Dreaded White Smoke 200

posted by dinomartino on Fri Dec 10 01:36 CST 2010
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last visit: Fri Oct 24 04:43 CST 2014

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Ted,

Yes. I bought a 1989 245 18 months ago. after doing lots of work myself to get it to pass state inspection, the head gasket failed catastrophically. THe job is certainly do-able by a novice, but the novice had better be able to splurge on a few high-quality tools. Read the FAQ: http://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/HeadgasketRepair/HeadgasketRepair.htm Also, you should own the Bentley manual.

See my experience here: 245 rehab success story

Your car is not driveable beyond a short trip to the repair shop or a place where you can do this work. Understand that you should budget a week off the road for this job, since the head will need to go to the machine shop. And this is a miserable job to do outside in freezing temperatures. Do you have ANY friends nearby with a garage? I would consider a new thread here and on turbobricks asking if there is anyone in your area who'd be willing to let you into their garage and help/guide you through the process. I'd happily help with tools and knowledge/experience, but I am 90 minutes away in Richmond and have no garage.

John

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Dreaded White Smoke 200

posted by Goatman on Thu Dec 9 19:30 CST 2010
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last visit: Sat Jul 26 20:30 CST 2014

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Joelle,

Thanks, but I am only one poster.

You should start a new thread with that title to get other attention.
Any advice for first time novice replacing a head gasket?

Goatman
--
I am looking for an honest man. - Diogenes of Sinope

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