2003 Focus ... Possible Blown Head Gasket ?

[RobbS]

Did you look underneath and see if you hit any sort of debris that would have melted off the exhaust?

Yes I did. My brother-in-law suggested that. That was a great idea. That would produce similar smoke results. Thanks

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

I am willing to get one of those coolant testers to know for sure. Ive driven it another 150 miles and nothing has happened again. I drove it home from work yesterday when the smoke incident happened. I later on took it on a test trip up the mountain. It climbed the mountain no problem, the temperature gauge never rose, car ran normally all day today.
The smoking was a strange event, one that no one wants to see in their rearview mirror.

If it didn’t repeat, it’s not the HG. @trav’s one of the board’s most experienced (not old, as that’s a state of mind, not body!) and other than @clinebarger (our GM guru), most trusted wrench… I’d say you’re likely in the clear. Unless the issue repeats… but HGs are not a temporary issue.

 

[Trav]

I DID put fuel treatment with PEA in the gastank the day before....

It could be a coincidence but it is very possible the cleaner dislodged some junk and clogged a hole in the nozzle causing one to stick open. This is Bosch injector and has very small holes in the nozzle making it easy to clog and stick. Run it if it does not happen again that was probably the reason, if it does then further investigation is needed.

The OE part # is probably 1S4Z9F593AA which is a Bosch 0280156046 (a very common and excellent injector).

 

[RobbS]

Did you look underneath and see if you hit any sort of debris that would have melted off the exhaust?

Yes, I took a look underneath and saw nothing. if something burned up, I drove another 40 miles after the smoke, so anything caught up in there had plenty of time to burn away completely. Thanks for the good idea.

 

[RobbS]

If it didn’t repeat, it’s not the HG. @trav’s one of the board’s most experienced (not old, as that’s a state of mind, not body!) and other than @clinebarger (our GM guru), most trusted wrench… I’d say you’re likely in the clear. Unless the issue repeats… but HGs are not a temporary issue.

Thank You. That was my main question or concern. It was a one-time thing that happened, now hundreds of miles later, with no issues at all.. I agree with you.

 

[RobbS]

It could be a coincidence but it is very possible the cleaner dislodged some junk and clogged a hole in the nozzle causing one to stick open. This is Bosch injector and has very small holes in the nozzle making it easy to clog and stick. Run it if it does not happen again that was probably the reason, if it does then further investigation is needed.

The OE part # is probably 1S4Z9F593AA which is a Bosch 0280156046 (a very common and excellent injector).

Its been a few hundred miles since the smoke occurrence. Hoping it was a one-time deal.
Could the effects from VRP eject something to burn? I'm on my first 4k miles with the oil.

 

[Skippy722]

My Durango did something very similar… it was a faulty PCV valve. Sucked a bunch of oil through it and James Bond’ed an intersection with a truly alarming amount of smoke.

I’d keep an eye on your car, but wouldn’t worry too much assuming coolant isn’t disappearing and your oil isn’t turning into the forbidden chocolate pudding.

 

[Bailey28]

This sounds like the engine sucked in brake or trans fluid for a brief time then stopped. I would also look at the power brake booster diaphragm, make sure it doesnt have any fluid trapped inside from a leak which is being sucked in by the vacuum line to the intake manifold. Trans fluid is possible if there is a vacuum line going from a trans modulator or other connection to the intake manifold.

If extra fuel, even with PeA were being burned at a large rate I would imagine the smoke would be black, not white.

A very far fetched idea would be somehow a valve cover baffle came out of place and the PCV sucked up some oil temporarily. Also, check PCV valve, make sure it isn't stuck, or sticky.

 

[RobbS]

This sounds like the engine sucked in brake or trans fluid for a brief time then stopped. I would also look at the power brake booster diaphragm, make sure it doesnt have any fluid trapped inside from a leak which is being sucked in by the vacuum line to the intake manifold. Trans fluid is possible if there is a vacuum line going from a trans modulator or other connection to the intake manifold.

If extra fuel, even with PeA were being burned at a large rate I would imagine the smoke would be black, not white.

A very far fetched idea would be somehow a valve cover baffle came out of place and the PCV sucked up some oil temporarily. Also, check PCV valve, make sure it isn't stuck, or sticky.

Thank you, I will check those items. It did burn like Seafoam into a PCV system. I'll look at all that closer here shortly. I've put a couple hundred miles on it without incident.

 

[andrew_j]

Car that old and mileage drive on and see if one off. Hopefully a bummer and not problem in your financial situation if serious.

 

[Skippy722]

This sounds like the engine sucked in brake or trans fluid for a brief time then stopped. I would also look at the power brake booster diaphragm, make sure it doesnt have any fluid trapped inside from a leak which is being sucked in by the vacuum line to the intake manifold. Trans fluid is possible if there is a vacuum line going from a trans modulator or other connection to the intake manifold.

If extra fuel, even with PeA were being burned at a large rate I would imagine the smoke would be black, not white.

A very far fetched idea would be somehow a valve cover baffle came out of place and the PCV sucked up some oil temporarily. Also, check PCV valve, make sure it isn't stuck, or sticky.

Ooohhhhhh I didn’t think about that. My Durango did have to have its brake master recalled twice(!!!). Apparently the booster can “crack”, allow water in, freeze, and then you lose power brakes.

 

[Trav]

If extra fuel, even with PeA were being burned at a large rate I would imagine the smoke would be black, not white.

 

[RobbS]

Car that old and mileage drive on and see if one off. Hopefully a bummer and not problem in your financial situation if serious.

I've moved on, driving it like normal, no issues.

 

[Kurtatron]

I agree with the other - it’s not the head gasket.

Head gaskets are like holes in a boat’s hull. It’s leaking or it’s not. Maybe it’ll leak at different temperatures, but not come and go.

 

[RobbS]

I agree with the other - it’s not the head gasket.

Head gaskets are like holes in a boat’s hull. It’s leaking or it’s not. Maybe it’ll leak at different temperatures, but not come and go.

Thank you. That is great news. I've put a few hundred miles on it since, and she runs perfectly fine. So,...I am moving on from worrying, checking fluid levels, temperature gauge obsession, and all indicators seem to agree with you. Good stuff.