92 protege smoking badly

[92mazdabator]

Hi i just bought this car, it has 170k. Its in good condition but it smokes badly upon startup for like a minute. After that its fine. The only other problem is slight studder under acceleration. It seems to be when in 2nd or 3rd, right around 2500 rpm. I need to do a tune up i know, im wondering if its something more serious like a head gasket or some seals of some kind? I would appreciate any input on this thank you,
kevin.

[mauricec00]

the head gasket might be dried up or your running too rich.

[pdhaudio83]

if its white smoke, its a headgasket. if its bluish, its you burning oil. a car with 170k burning oil is not a suprise. it could be many things- piston rings, seals, etc.

[92mazdabator]

well the smoke is defitenly white and its alot of it. I need to get this replaced soon before it blows my engine right? With a bad headgasket wont coolant pass into areas of the engine it shouldnt? How much do you think a mechanic would charge for this?

[92mazdabator]

how would i tell if its running too rich? leaky fuel injectors?

[pdhaudio83]

wait you JUST bought it like this ???

did you know about the smoke?

[92mazdabator]

yeah i just bought it. The previous owner said it smoked but it wasnt alot when i started it and test drove it. I picked it up for 200 so im not really bent out of shape over this. How much do you think a shop would charge to do this? Or maybe i can do it?

[MikeBlueP5]

shouldnt be too hard of a task to complete yourself if you are decently knowledgeable about engines and how they work. It definantly sounds like a head gasket with it being white smoke upon startup. Either that or *possibly* a cracked head, depending on if it has been ran hot. Probably take you at least half to a full day to replace the head gasket and you should resurface the head to make sure its straight. Any machine shop should be able to do this for you for under 75-100$. They can also check the top of the head for straightness and tell you if it has been ran considerably hot. But either way if you are going to do it, just pick up a good head set and go at it.

[MikeBlueP5]

Also another way to tell if its coolant or not would be to check the coolant level, also check the oil for any milky substance, which will indicate the mixing of the two. Another way is usually when coolant burns it smells like paper that has been lit and then the flame put out while the paper smolders. In other words it doesnt smell anything like oil, the two are very distinguishable.

[92mazdabator]

well the temp gauge in the car stays right in the middle? I dont know if this is a good indication though? It does have alot of miles on it but it was taken care of by an elderly women who did all the routine maintanence. The oil looks to have kind of a milky substance to it. That must be the head gasket then right? Ok what all do i need tool wise to do this. I know i need to remove the tensioner on the belt, then remove the intake manifold right? I wonder if i should just take it to a shop.

[92mazdabator]

well i just went and checked my car out. Started her up and she didnt smoke at all, checked the oil and seemed fine(dirty) but fine. I called up the previous owner and she told me that it only smoked badly when it was cold out side. I go to work at around 7 in the morning and it always does it then. Could this be atributed to bad oil. Maybe change it to like 5w 30? I live in colorado. Wow maybe my cars ok, it probably just needs a good tune up,plugs,wires,oil,air filter,new coolant maybe. What else i know im missing stuff.

[MikeBlueP5]

first i would change the oil. Check it when you drain it for the coolant. Then i would get an estimate. Depends on how much your time is worth to ya, and how much you know. You would have to remove the accessory belts, remove the valve cover, the timing belt, and intake and exhaust manifolds. Then unbolt the cams to get to the head bolts im sure. Then take the head off. Im sure it wouldnt hurt to get an estimate or two, but i would probably do it myself if it were me. Im sure the price tag would be upwards of 5-750$.

[SlowPro98]

All the parts and supplies for changing the headgasket for my old dodge neon cost me about $500 bucks. if you take it to a shop, expect to pay $800 or more.

DEFINETLY CHECK YOUR FLUID LEVELS. When the gasket was leaking on my neon, I had to stop every 30 miles to refill the radiator while it was hot (and it clearly warns you that you shouldnt do this) If you ignore a cracked headgasket, you could end up cracking the whole head, and then your motor is shot.

Good luck, keep posting updates

[92mazdabator]

well i dont leak any fliud or anything when my cars hot? It really only seems to smoke badly upon startup and when its really cold outside. I still need to change the oil lol NO TIME,or place to do it at. I might just take it to jiffy lub or something like that. i hate to but i might have too. I Think its just needs a really good tune up. It seems to misfire anywhere under 2000. Ill see after i do a full tune up and get back with you guys.


All the parts and supplies for changing the headgasket for my old dodge neon cost me about $500 bucks. if you take it to a shop, expect to pay $800 or more.

DEFINETLY CHECK YOUR FLUID LEVELS. When the gasket was leaking on my neon, I had to stop every 30 miles to refill the radiator while it was hot (and it clearly warns you that you shouldnt do this) If you ignore a cracked headgasket, you could end up cracking the whole head, and then your motor is shot.

Good luck, keep posting updates