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White smoke worse!!

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Old Jul 12, 2011 | 11:43 PM
  #1  
Phragle's Avatar
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From: Mart,TX
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
Exclamation White smoke worse!!

I have a 94 4.0 sport. when i start it its fine just if i tap the gas it cuts out when its cold. after it warms up it smokes at idle. You can really notice it. i opened her up today (at about 180 f) I reved the crap out of her once and it dumped a **** load of white smoke out, i thought it caught fire back there for a second. NO OIL IN COOLANT COOLANT IN OIL OR BUBBLES IN TANK!. It needs an oil change plugs and wires and fresh gas. It had alot of water put in the exhaust a few weeks ago ( lil bro with waterhose) lol. Is this condensation, head gasket or something else. sry for a long post but this is my first vehicle. I COME FROM A MECHANIC FAMILY SO I KNOW MY STUFF. I hope my 750$ jeep doesnt let me down,, i have high hopes
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Old Jul 13, 2011 | 12:10 AM
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From: Nor-Cal
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: The venerable 4.0
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White smoke is water Bro.... if it keeps comin and comin its.comin from cooling. Is it losing coolant or have you not been able to run it that long? The no bubble part is throwing me for a loop.... but I would say it has to ne head gasket.

Last edited by Slick761; Jul 13, 2011 at 12:12 AM.
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Old Jul 13, 2011 | 12:28 AM
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Not loosing coolant
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Old Jul 13, 2011 | 12:29 AM
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Weird..... that's a thinker.... and the smoke is white white like steam?
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Old Jul 13, 2011 | 01:01 AM
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Year: 1995
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What does it smell like? On mine, it blew white when I had an injector issue. But it smelled like unburnt fuel.

If you can't be good, be good at it!
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Old Jul 13, 2011 | 11:24 AM
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It smells like regular exhaust, it does spit a little water out
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Old Jul 13, 2011 | 11:55 AM
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If its got a drop of water coming out of the exhaust every couple of seconds, thats a good sign in my opinion. A healthy running 4.0 will have drips of water from the exhaust pipe(and muffler if it has a hole) at cold warmup. Once the engine and exhaust have warmed up to a certain degree, the water evaporates, and you cant see it anymore. H20 is a normal byproduct of a well running gasoline internal combustion engine.
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Old Jul 13, 2011 | 12:01 PM
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Thanks 84z, finally i get some good news
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Old Jul 13, 2011 | 12:47 PM
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From: Aberdeen, MD
Year: 1995
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Engine: 4.0L HO I-6, 703 Injectors, Brown Dog Super Engine Mounts
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i hate to say it but condensation in the exhaust system will not make a huge cloud of smoke/steam, especially when warmed up as you were.

White smoke indicates either a) a coolant leak (headgasket failure on the exhaust side) or it's b) a cleaner of some sort (eg. seafoam) burning off.

So if you haven't cleaned anything internally lately, start keeping a very close eye on your coolant levels. Is this a jeep you drive regularly?
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Old Jul 13, 2011 | 01:14 PM
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It hasnt been drove in a bout a year , but lately ive been running it
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Old Jul 13, 2011 | 03:29 PM
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If it hasn't been driven in a year, it might be bad gas, or water in the line.

I had that happen with an old car I was given. I siphoned the old gas, put fresh in and used a fuel additive to dry the system out, though I can't recall the name.

Follow the other advice and keep checking your coolant level, but I would also err on the side of caution and replace the gas.

If you can't be good, be good at it!
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Old Jul 13, 2011 | 03:31 PM
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ohh ok that makes more sense OP. Like the above poster said, I'd start by draining the tank and refilling with fresh gas and see if the problem goes away.
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Old Jul 13, 2011 | 03:34 PM
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Wheeew water injection!! Bet your chambers and valves are spotless.... think I might try that!
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Old Jul 13, 2011 | 03:39 PM
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Also, an oil change couldn't hurt

If you can't be good, be good at it!
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Old Jul 13, 2011 | 04:50 PM
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Year: 1994
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Will do on the gas and oil change. maybe some plugs and wires
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