Hello... I'm having a problem with my 1994 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight. First problem I've had with the car since I bought it about 5 years ago. It started about 6 months ago when I noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. I hardly ever use the car, so I left it sit for a few months. Now when I try to run it, i have to jump the battery (which was expected), and white smoke continues to come out of the engine. It seems to be coming from the engine block. I've check for oil in the coolant and water in the oil, which I've read would be caused by a blown gasket and could cause white smoke from the exhaust, but not really from the engine. The car doesn't seem to overheat, but I don't let it run long enough to really find out. Also, after sitting for so long, wouldn't the coolant all have leaked out if it was a blown gasket? Any suggestions would be appreciated. I can post a picture of where the smoke is coming from if that may help. Thanks.

Hi igalvan55, hello everyone,

Welcome to TOC.


Is it possible it's steam? If not, you can eliminate head gaskets, and the rest of the cooling system, as the root cause.

Is there any smoke coming from the exhaust?


We need to know exactly where.


No.


It would be most helpful.

Regards, Norm

describe the smell of the smoke also, if possible

Several things are possible, most likely you have a failed intake gasket, furthermore the LIM Gasket either external or internal failure. Also could be the TB Gasket, but that would drip coolant on the crossover pipe.

These cars RARELY RARELY blow head gaskets, not saying its impossible, but the intake manifold gaskets die much more often.

Are you seeing smoke out of the exhaust? Assuming we have a gasket issue, you are most likely seeing steam out of the cracked exhaust manifolds (also a common occurance with the series one manis)

I'm impressed.

His internet education enables Hans to make a diagnosis without even knowing the symptoms.


Can this statement do anything other than confuse the OP?


Looks just like the echo I saw on another thread.

Regards,

Norm


back on topic please


However in the posters profile it says that he has a V8..We might need a little more info on that.

We may need a LOT more info on that. A rare car indeed.

well, we fixed it with a bottle of head gasket sealant... no more smoke, and everything runs fine. thanks all

Glad to hear you got it fixed...what brand head gasket sealant did you use?

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Brando