When we bought our EVO it only had 8 miles on it and on the way home my wife was behind me and she said when I got on it a little bit that it blew some white smoke out. I have been taking it easy on it but last night a Mini Cooper S got a little sassy with me so I had to take him to school. I ran it up to about 6K and when I looked in the mirror to glance at the Mini fading VERY fast I saw the smoke! Is this normal? Do any of you guys see this same thing? Could it be because they run so rich on the big end? It now has 600 miles on it. Any help or advice is greatly appreciated. THank you!
John

 

White smoke is normally coolant and it's not normal except a little bit during warmup. The colder it is the more you'll see it. Start looking for coolant loss - is the overflow tank at the right level. Check the level in the radiator after it has cooled down. See if you have sludge on the dipstick. It might just be the weather.

A little dark smoke during full throttle acceleration is normal. Take it back to the service dept. if you spot a problem.

 

Usually a coolant leak is a persistent white smoke...or heavy white smoke upon startup.

I'd be more inclined to believe that the smoke is from the rich condition generated when you mashed the pedal to the floor. These cars are brand new. So I'd find it hard to believe they would be blowing head gaskets already.

But as a precaution, check your coolant level, if it seems low, bring it to the shop. Also check your dipstick and oil cap for that creamy water/oil mixture.

SC~

 

OK, I'll check the coolant and keep an eye on it's level. Man I sure hope there's nothing wrong all ready! It doesn't smoke any other time except when you get on it. Thanks for the info.
John

 

Uhh, you should take it easy during the break in period. Regardless, a little smoke does emit when mashing on the throttle.

 

kdogg,
Yeah I know I should take it easy, but I just couldn't help it. Damn Mini's, he was trying to spank me in the corners but it wasn't happening and then we turned onto a big open highway, just couldn't keep my foot out of it. I have been driving it nice and easy but everyonce in a while I wind her up a bit.
So you have seen this same problem also? Does your car still do it or have you tuned the rich condition out? Thanks for your help.
John

 

I've only noticed it once. I was pulling in front of fast heavy traffic going uphill. Like what SC said, I guess it's due to the richness of the fuel mixture. I didn't believe it be a problem. I'm sure other EVO's would notice it, but it's hard to see when you're moving fast looking into the rearview. BTW, my car is still stock.

 

Why even waste your time w/ a mini? - especially while tryin' to break er in....I know it's all in good fun, but try and take it easy dude. You'll have plenty of time to beat on the competition. Believe me... I have over 14,100 miles on mine and it's running better than ever -

 

Yeah dude....take it easy...they say for the first 600 miles you should NOT run it past 5K rpm.....slow down bro....you will DEFINATELY have many chances at kills soon after the proper break in!!! BTW....I had pretty much the same thing as you...mini cooper S on the left....Porsche 911 something or another on the right....cooper ALMOST took me from go...little friggin skate with a motor.....but I took him right away...the porsche on the other hand....in my right view mirror the whole way....ended up at 130 and he backed down finally....I WAS NOT GONNA LOSE!!! LOL loved every second of it. It's nice to know I have a car faster then a porsche....yet I can haul 5 people around and still kick his @$$ paying 1/2 what he did!! HAHAHAHA

 

when my lancer was turbocharged and it was nighttime and a little cold out...not that cold jus a little....it would smoke like crazy when i ripped it on a freeway on ramp. actually whenever i ripped it..it was definatly cuz it was turbocharged..made it have hotter exhaust gases and it was burning more fuel and air so it made a lot of white smoke. (most likely cuz the really hot exhaust gases was a lot hotter then the air temperature)

if your engine runs smooth and there is no shaky idel then i'm sure your fine and its normal.

 

Hi,

Was the car warmed up thoroughly? It could have just been condensation (water).

Generally, white smoke = water or coolant. Coolant will have a characteristic smell as well.
Black smoke is fuel from running rich.
Bluish smoke is oil.

Take care,

FB

 

Every car has white smoke when you start up a cold engine. That white smoke is water vapor. After the engine coolant temperature is at normal operating temperature and you still see white smoke, it is coolant.

 

hey guys quick question, i use a little less then a qt of coolant every 3000 miles, good bad, take it to a dealer, dont wory about it

what you guys think?

 

yea man make sure that what your seeing is not condesation. (I'm a ****y speller) Keep an eye on your coolent and if it continues to "smoke" and your coolent is going down take it back to the dealer.

black smoke= fuel (normal)
blue smoke= oil (not normal)
white smoke= coolent (not normal)

 

Wow, ok man I'll take it easy on her!! I have been babying it for what seems like forever.........can't stand it much longer!! I had defiantly warmed the car up, had been driving for at least five minutes all ready when this happened. I will keep an eye on my coolant, may take it by the dealer just to test em and see how they treat me. Thanks for all the help.
John