white smoke on start up???

[stag76]

hi there,im jason,the new guy on the block.
ive been a mx5 owner for 2yrs now,just bought another there last weekend,94 1.8.
problem,she smokes on start up,good heavy white stuff,if i let her idle it will just keep pumping it out up to around 10min,if i drive off straight away,and drive hardish,its gone in around 2min.

any ideas?? its not oil,and its not head gasket,i have done over 400miles in it and it hasnt used or taken any oil or water.

its a mad one,starts around 30sec after starting,and stops after 2mins driving,i can start and stop it,let it cool down,start it,and it dosent do it,it only happens when i start the car for the first time each day. its problem seems to happen to it when its left for a day or two.
so i dont think its
stem oil seals,cos it would always be doing it,if that were the case
head gasket,as no water lose,or water/oil mix,or pressure in hoses

its a mad one,any ideas?? could it be my pcv valve,or egr valve,breathers?

any ideas would be great.

jason

[Steve]

It sounds like it might be just condensation in the exhaust... are you getting any blowby when you take off the oil cap?

[franksm]

Hi Jason

Has the car been stood for a while before you bought it ? If so, the exhaust (and its wadding) could be full of water that's now turning to steam.

Or perhaps there's diesel mixed with the petrol ? I'd run the tank down to near zero and give it a fresh full tank.

Failing that, it still sounds like water getting into the mix and the only way that can happen is the head gasket, but you'd see that as mayonnaise under the filler cap.

Pop the spark plugs out and see if they're a good colour (between black and brown, but not sooty).
Also make sure the temp gauge (which is of the dumb variety) goes to and stays at just before the 1/2 way mark.

BTW what's with the '76Stag' moniker ? Do you have something oily, rusty and British you'd like to share with us ?
Enquiring minds - I had three Triumph Stags recently - a '73 and two '76s. Loved them (except the automatic one, euuugh)

Cheers
Frank

[stag76]

hi there,just read your thoughts,and i kinda know what your all thinking.
no car was everyday transport for the last owner til may.

dont think it head gasket,as no mayo under cap,or water loss,and if it were gasket she would be doing it all the time.

if it were deisel it would be smoking all the time also,im lost also.

she smokes after 30sec from start up,and stops within 2/3mins of driving.

do you think it mite be egr valve or pcv valve on rocker cover??

i drove her to waterford today,not a bother,and only had start up smoke for 3min,didnt see it after that.

yes frank,i do have triumph stags,3 of them,2 ive bought over the last few years,and my dads stag,a 76,brg,with overdrive,been in family from new. infact i have a large car collection,ah thats a story 4 a pub meet


many thanks

jason

[stag76]

jason here again,just been out to car,ive done 780miles in it since last tue and she not used any oil or water,no gooo under oilcap and no gooo in rad??? plugs are a nice fawn colour??

must be a problem with cold start valve or breather item.

thanks for the thoughts,keep them coming.


jason

[franksm]

Don't think EGR would cause that (when it goes wrong, it gives rough running).
Don't think it's the PCV either (when it goes wrong, you get dark oily smoke).
I am betting it's water in the exhaust, like Steve was saying.

Wouldn't worry about it, especially if it's not using oil or water !

Any pics of the Stags ? I had a red one that I brought in from Manchester, but it's now in Cyprus. A yellow auto (less said about that the better). Then a fab '76 manual-OD in French Blue up until recently - now living in Meath. Love those cars. Might try a Spitfire or a TR6 next though, something more raw.

[stag76]

yes il just keep running her on for another while,see if it clears up. yea the old triumphs are good old bits of fun,i have 2 spitfires,a 71 mk4,and a cute little mk2.

il keep in touch with you.

jason