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nrd
New User
Dec 29, 2009, 7:32 AM
Post #1 of 4
(1621 views)
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1993 Eclipse Mystery
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Hi guys (and girls?)
I have a 1993 Mitsubishi Eclipse that has what I think is a bit above average white smoke from the tail pipe, which does go away after about 20 mins of driving (its currently bellow zero here)
I have been keeping an eye on my coolant levels and they are fine staying at a constant level (the reserve at least and when I checked last the coolant levels looked good under the cap), the reservoir doesnt bubble and the colour is blue (as it should be). There is no milkshake looking oil. Nothing around the oil fill cap. No engine over heating either
on top of this I do have Idle Surge, whilst moving with my foot fully on the clutch/out of gear the revs will climb between 1000 and 1700 up and down UNTIL I come to a stand still, then it settles at a normal idle position.
I should point out the exhaust was a cowboy job by previos owner that I have fixed for now, but there are about two hole in it still, and the guy that did it for us mentioned something about the cat. converter maybe need replacing soon.
im confused as to what this is.
I have some valve cleaning solution to put into the petrol, You think its worth giving that a shot?
Cheers
Neal
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re-tired
Veteran
/ Moderator
Dec 29, 2009, 12:58 PM
Post #2 of 4
(1614 views)
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Re: 1993 Eclipse Mystery
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Sometimes it is hard to tell two different kinds of "white" smoke apart . One is steam ,which will dissapate rather quichly. The other is oil smoke which tends to linger a bit longer .Check tailpipe for water or oil residue.Worn or hardened valve seals will cause smoke for a short time after start up also.
LIFE'S SHORT GO FISH
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Loren Champlain Sr
Veteran
/ Moderator
Dec 29, 2009, 3:47 PM
Post #3 of 4
(1612 views)
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Re: 1993 Eclipse Mystery
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Neal; When the engine is cool, and safe to do so, remove the radiator cap and verify that it is full. Low coolant level can cause the surge at idle. A faulty coolant temp sensor, a vacuum leak, sticky idle control motor, ect. can also cause the surge. As far as the 'white smoke' is concerned....re-tired is right on. A good functioning engine makes it's own water. It is perfectly normal to see condensation steam as a result....even more so in frigid weather. Even more so if the car is driven primarily short distances so that the exhaust system doesn't get hot enough to evaporate the moisture. The exhaust system...if you have an exhaust leak before the Oxygen Sensor, it may be causing a problem as well. The only time a catalytic converter would cause an idle problem would be if it were plugged in which case, you'd have a severe loss of power. Let us know what you find and we can 'go from there'.
Have a great New Years.
Loren
SW Washington
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nrd
New User
Jan 2, 2010, 7:06 AM
Post #4 of 4
(1602 views)
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Re: 1993 Eclipse Mystery
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Neal; When the engine is cool, and safe to do so, remove the radiator cap and verify that it is full. Low coolant level can cause the surge at idle. A faulty coolant temp sensor, a vacuum leak, sticky idle control motor, ect. can also cause the surge. As far as the 'white smoke' is concerned....re-tired is right on. A good functioning engine makes it's own water. It is perfectly normal to see condensation steam as a result....even more so in frigid weather. Even more so if the car is driven primarily short distances so that the exhaust system doesn't get hot enough to evaporate the moisture. The exhaust system...if you have an exhaust leak before the Oxygen Sensor, it may be causing a problem as well. The only time a catalytic converter would cause an idle problem would be if it were plugged in which case, you'd have a severe loss of power. Let us know what you find and we can 'go from there'.
Have a great New Years.
Hi again,
Thanks for the help here from everyone. I have checked, double checked and checked again the radiator levels. My reservoir is just on the full mark and has been since I topped it up about a month ago. I have read that the idle controll motor CAN stick on the Eclipse, so I might be needing a new one or it to be fixed. Im going to send it to a garage hopefully sometime this month to get the CV joints looked at so will bring it up at the same time.
The smoke issue still persists, im sure its not steam as it lingers a bit longer than normal..but then I have seen a few cars on the road with the same exhaust output...so im not sure still. I cant relax about it.Haha. When i take it to the garage I will mention this first, if its bad news there is no point me fixing with the other things. Thanks again for your help, really appreciated.
Will let you know how it goes.
Neal
(This post was edited by nrd on Jan 2, 2010, 7:07 AM)
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