91 Civic EX White Smoke Only when Engine is warm

Discussion in 'Civic' started by Steve, Feb 23, 2006.

  1. Steve

    Steve Guest

    I have a 91 Civic with 114000 miles. When I start the car when its cold
    (sitting all day or night) everything is fine. The car starts easy and
    runs perfectly. However if I drive it for 10-15 minutes and shut the
    engine off it is very hard to restart. When I try to restart it the
    engine turns over ok but there is a TON of white smoke coming out of
    the exhaust pipe. The only way I can get the car to start is to hold
    the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor while cranking the
    engine. I have to do this about 10 seconds before the car will start
    and the white smoke continues for another minute or two before clearing
    up. Again, once the car is running its runs great. I had a small crack
    in the top radiator tank which did cause the car to overheat briefly
    but I was able to add coolant quickly to cool the car down. I have
    since replaced the radiator. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
     
    Steve, Feb 23, 2006
    #1
  2. Steve

    Elle Guest

    Monitor your coolant reservoir level and report back. Also,
    carry anti-freeze with you, and keep an eye on the
    temperature gage.

    Could be a blown head gasket or cracked cylinder head.
    Google for {"head gasket" "white smoke" symptoms} or similar
    for more info.

    The breach may only appear after parts have expanded from
    being warmed up.

    This is not a definite diagnosis but rather something you
    want to eliminate as soon as possible.

    Elle
    Original owner, 1991 Civic LX, 174k miles
     
    Elle, Feb 23, 2006
    #2
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