I took my Grand Marquis to the dealership to diagnose occasional white smoke from the tailpipes under the following conditions:
- WOT
- Transmission kicks down to first
- Vehicle speed is over 60 km/h (38 MPH)
I’m not sure if it happens during downshifts from third to second or forth to third, I haven’t experimented. But the smoke only appears for the first few seconds, immediately after kick down, and leaves a large cloud behind the vehicle. It does not happen every single time, but it is embarrassing when it happens.
There are no traces of oily residue in either tailpipe now that the oil separator is in place and the engine does not suffer any loss in performance. Operation is super smooth, and there’s barely any drop in oil level with 10,000 km/6,250 mile drain intervals. No makeup oil is added during the interval, and there is only a very slight drop, I’d say about 200 ml or so tops. But nothing like half a quart or more.
I was really just after a compression test with IDS for peace of mind, and through my contacts got to deal with a quality controller and technician instead of a service writer. The car is booked in for Sunday, and I emailed my concern to the QC and tech for them to print on the day and refer to (comments in italics are for BITOG):
Quote:
Vehicle: 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis
Mileage: ~255,000 km (159,375 miles)
Maintenance: Rigorously maintained to exact factory service manual requirements, including use of full synthetic lubricants and genuine Ford/Motorcraft parts. Driven gingerly with occasional Wide Open Throttle (WOT) runs on closed roads. The engine oil (Liqui-Moly Synthoil Longtime 0W-30) level remains full throughout its service life (10,000 kilometres), and a Steeda oil separator has been installed in the PCV line to help keep the intake clean.
Engine idle and operation is super smooth with no hesitation whatsoever, although occasional pinging does occur.
Fuel type: 91 RON (87 AKI) unleaded (100 ml TC-W3/100 ml MMO added)
Problems:
• Slight coolant leak from intake manifold gasket located on the driver's side rear of the engine, near firewall
• Slightly worn pitman arm
• Transmission EPC solenoid requires replacement
Complaint: Occasional white smoke appears to be coming out of tailpipes under the following conditions:
- WOT
- Transmission kicks down to first
- Vehicle speed is over 60 km/h (38 MPH)
Smoke only appears immediately after kick down, and leaves a large cloud of white smoke behind the vehicle. It does not happen every single time.
Request: Compression test
Having said that, the tech replied to my email with the following:
Quote:
According to the document sent, and after reading it, my understanding is that there is coolant that is leaking, which needs to be fixed. Also the engine compressions have to be checked and even if the compression is ok there is BASE ENGINE concern, for the white cloud of smoke that Appears sometimes, possibly engine oil leaking past the Valve seals. Engine Overhaul required.
If the engine does not consume oil outside of what has been specified by Ford as “normal”, performs as expected and operates smoothly and quietly, why would an engine require an overhaul?
And what is a “base engine concern”, the bottom end? This has made me nervous, and I’m now looking forward to the compression test more than ever.
- WOT
- Transmission kicks down to first
- Vehicle speed is over 60 km/h (38 MPH)
I’m not sure if it happens during downshifts from third to second or forth to third, I haven’t experimented. But the smoke only appears for the first few seconds, immediately after kick down, and leaves a large cloud behind the vehicle. It does not happen every single time, but it is embarrassing when it happens.
There are no traces of oily residue in either tailpipe now that the oil separator is in place and the engine does not suffer any loss in performance. Operation is super smooth, and there’s barely any drop in oil level with 10,000 km/6,250 mile drain intervals. No makeup oil is added during the interval, and there is only a very slight drop, I’d say about 200 ml or so tops. But nothing like half a quart or more.
I was really just after a compression test with IDS for peace of mind, and through my contacts got to deal with a quality controller and technician instead of a service writer. The car is booked in for Sunday, and I emailed my concern to the QC and tech for them to print on the day and refer to (comments in italics are for BITOG):
Quote:
Vehicle: 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis
Mileage: ~255,000 km (159,375 miles)
Maintenance: Rigorously maintained to exact factory service manual requirements, including use of full synthetic lubricants and genuine Ford/Motorcraft parts. Driven gingerly with occasional Wide Open Throttle (WOT) runs on closed roads. The engine oil (Liqui-Moly Synthoil Longtime 0W-30) level remains full throughout its service life (10,000 kilometres), and a Steeda oil separator has been installed in the PCV line to help keep the intake clean.
Engine idle and operation is super smooth with no hesitation whatsoever, although occasional pinging does occur.
Fuel type: 91 RON (87 AKI) unleaded (100 ml TC-W3/100 ml MMO added)
Problems:
• Slight coolant leak from intake manifold gasket located on the driver's side rear of the engine, near firewall
• Slightly worn pitman arm
• Transmission EPC solenoid requires replacement
Complaint: Occasional white smoke appears to be coming out of tailpipes under the following conditions:
- WOT
- Transmission kicks down to first
- Vehicle speed is over 60 km/h (38 MPH)
Smoke only appears immediately after kick down, and leaves a large cloud of white smoke behind the vehicle. It does not happen every single time.
Request: Compression test
Having said that, the tech replied to my email with the following:
Quote:
According to the document sent, and after reading it, my understanding is that there is coolant that is leaking, which needs to be fixed. Also the engine compressions have to be checked and even if the compression is ok there is BASE ENGINE concern, for the white cloud of smoke that Appears sometimes, possibly engine oil leaking past the Valve seals. Engine Overhaul required.
If the engine does not consume oil outside of what has been specified by Ford as “normal”, performs as expected and operates smoothly and quietly, why would an engine require an overhaul?