Dreaded white smoke?

[chrisracer79]

I purchased a 'rebuilt' M20B25 about 6 years ago from someone whom I'd done business with before. I just got around to firing the engine for the first time today, and I immediately get white smoke coming out the rear. Immediately.

I haven't had a chance to run the car long enough for it to warm up. Will do that this weekend.

Before I panick and I think I've got a blown head gasket or a cracked head, is it possible that water and/or coolant has seeped into the engine after sitting for at least 6 years (possibly longer)? Or could it be something else since it happens immediately when trying to start the car?

I filled the coolant system with distilled water for now. There could be some original coolant left in the engine but I can't be sure.

Video is attached. Please excuse the current state of the car. Swap in progress!

White smoke vid

[Danny]

Yeah let it warm up. If the headgasket is bad its not like you'll make it any worse.

[Gregs///M]

I would not worry about smoke coming out of an engine that hasnt been ran for 6 years. Run the motor for a while and start it up again the following day, if a significant amount of smoke appears then be worried about coolant getting into combustion chambers.

[chrisracer79]

Ok. Hopefully tomorrow I’ll get a chance to smoke out the neighborhood. :)

Another related note. I’m having a hard time keeping the car running at the moment. I have to keep turning the key and opening the throttle to get it to run. Car dies when I stop turning the key. However this seems to be getting better each time I try starting the car. Maybe Another symptom of sitting idle for a very long time.




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[jeffnhiscars]

I'll just add that, if it has sat for that long you should replace the timing belt before running it any more. I know it's a pain when you're not sure of the engine condition but it beats busting a rocker or head.

Why not do a compression and leak down test first.