I will do a radiator test. What do I buy to perform this test? what is it called? I can pick a kit up tomorrow and try it.
Misfire Cylinder 4. Cant clear the code. Ideas?
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i can also do a compression test too.
The two engines that I saw with this problem had right at that mileage, but were Toyota V6 with known sludge issues.
Does the startup white smoke dissipate like you would expect from steam vapor or does it linger and just move off like you would expect from oil-related smoke?
Does the startup white smoke dissipate like you would expect from steam vapor or does it linger and just move off like you would expect from oil-related smoke?
starts up. Runs for about 30 seconds to a minute puffs out normally. Followed by a small cloud of what appears to be white smoke for 30-45 seconds and then goes to what looks like steam to normal exhaust with no color to it.
but after white smoke comes out for 30-45 seconds it disappears.
but after white smoke comes out for 30-45 seconds it disappears.
Originally Posted By: JMac101
I will do a radiator test. What do I buy to perform this test? what is it called? I can pick a kit up tomorrow and try it.
It is a cooling system pressure tester, they aren't exactly cheap, and only a good parts house sells them. You might however be able to borrow one, certain parts stores have them for rent, or to use if you are buying parts from them. I bought one over 20 years ago, and it is a life saver, it was well worth it for me. You can also have a mechanic pressure test the system.
If you can't borrow one or the cost of the tool is too much try this. If the plugs are easy to pull out post pictures of them, one of us can tell you what is going on.
Have the palm of your hand near the tail pipe, a few inches away? Is the smoke, oily, or damp and wet?
I will do a radiator test. What do I buy to perform this test? what is it called? I can pick a kit up tomorrow and try it.
It is a cooling system pressure tester, they aren't exactly cheap, and only a good parts house sells them. You might however be able to borrow one, certain parts stores have them for rent, or to use if you are buying parts from them. I bought one over 20 years ago, and it is a life saver, it was well worth it for me. You can also have a mechanic pressure test the system.
If you can't borrow one or the cost of the tool is too much try this. If the plugs are easy to pull out post pictures of them, one of us can tell you what is going on.
Have the palm of your hand near the tail pipe, a few inches away? Is the smoke, oily, or damp and wet?
If enough coolant is leaking into a cylinder, you can start it up one day and hear some awful noise and have a bent or broken rod in that cylinder due to hydraulic lock (liquids don't compress well). Happened to my friend's 2001 Chevy 2500 with 6 liter engine and about 160k miles, about a week ago. He has had a small coolant leak for a long time, but just kept adding coolant. Well, now he is having some real engine work done for $1900. He never remembers having any white clouds of vapor coming out of the exhaust.
ok i am new to this post, but i will pull the plugs and snap pictures of all 4 tomorrow and then post them on here for you guys to see.
smoke feels steamy damp
Originally Posted By: bmwtechguy
If enough coolant is leaking into a cylinder, you can start it up one day and hear some awful noise and have a bent or broken rod in that cylinder due to hydraulic lock (liquids don't compress well). Happened to my friend's 2001 Chevy 2500 with 6 liter engine and about 160k miles, about a week ago. He has had a small coolant leak for a long time, but just kept adding coolant. Well, now he is have some real engine work done for $1900. He never remembers having any white clouds of vapor coming out of the exhaust.
Same thing happened to my FIL. Water doesn't compress, it destroys things that try to compress it.
If enough coolant is leaking into a cylinder, you can start it up one day and hear some awful noise and have a bent or broken rod in that cylinder due to hydraulic lock (liquids don't compress well). Happened to my friend's 2001 Chevy 2500 with 6 liter engine and about 160k miles, about a week ago. He has had a small coolant leak for a long time, but just kept adding coolant. Well, now he is have some real engine work done for $1900. He never remembers having any white clouds of vapor coming out of the exhaust.
Same thing happened to my FIL. Water doesn't compress, it destroys things that try to compress it.
Originally Posted By: JMac101
smoke feels steamy damp
No oily film? Then pressure test the system. I have a feeling it is a slight leak from a bad head gasket. Read above what can happen if it gets worse.
It could be normal condensation, but since you are having problems I suggested the pressure test of the cooling system.
smoke feels steamy damp
No oily film? Then pressure test the system. I have a feeling it is a slight leak from a bad head gasket. Read above what can happen if it gets worse.
It could be normal condensation, but since you are having problems I suggested the pressure test of the cooling system.
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i saw what you said above. thats why id like to take care of it now and fix it the right way before something severe happens. Can a bad head gasket cause no heat in the cabin>?
Not unless the heater core is plugged up, or not getting coolant flowing through it.
i flushed the heater core and I also back flushed it with a garden hose until it ran clean and clear and I still have no heat even with fresh coolant.
i thought the bad head was causing no heat.
Could be a bad heater control valve, or the flap that opens up when you move the lever from cold to hot is not opening allowing heat into the cabin. I'm not that familiar with a Dodge Caravan.
i know your not familiar with dodge caravan but I have no heat and every now and then i get heat up top but cold air on the bottom of the passenger foot section.
Diagnostics by a shop should be done for that. You put a lot of money into that and it didn't fix problem. Just better to leave it to a good mechanic
It could be as simple as a cable that controls a flap, or a bad heater control valve. Some are vacuum activated. I really don't think a bad head gasket would be the problem. Is your thermostat working? No heat can also be a thermostat stuck in the open position.
I would start a seperate thread about the no heat issue. There are plenty of Caravan owners that can help.
Your other issue is basic trouble shooting that applies to every car, and the info that the guys gave you is how you would trouble shoot it.
I would start a seperate thread about the no heat issue. There are plenty of Caravan owners that can help.
Your other issue is basic trouble shooting that applies to every car, and the info that the guys gave you is how you would trouble shoot it.
i just replaced the thermostat
I'll check back in the morning.
Did you have heat before? Is it OEM? It could be defective, or something that I mentioned earlier. HTH
Did you have heat before? Is it OEM? It could be defective, or something that I mentioned earlier. HTH
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