Help-White Smoke at Start Up after Euro Pre Muffler Install

alf · 03-02-2003, 01:59 PM

Just installed the pre muff, will post some pictures when my wife returns with the camera.

Throtle response much improved. Feels like more power and torque across the range. Not any louder but makes a really nice low rumble and burble.

BUT...my previously non smoking, non leaking 3.2 just started puffing white smoke at cold start, after 10 seconds it will puff white smoke for 3 to 4 minutes. No smoke on warm starts or any other time. Idle also seems to be a tad bit higher.

Any ideas what is causing the smoke, i understand white smoke is primarily moisture, but where is it accumulating?

alf · 03-02-2003, 02:50 PM

Stuff you need. 3 gaskets and 9 nuts and bolts. I got the copper nuts that are not suppose to bind.

What the pre muff looks like on the inside. Pretty much a hollow pipe with finned walls.

Took a couple of hours to take the old cat out and bolt this on. One stuck nut that required a dremel, hack saw and 30 mins.

Doug Zielke · 03-02-2003, 05:23 PM

Alf,
All I can think of is the (used) pre-muffler has some oil or other contaminants inside of it. Take 'er for a good long romp and see if things clean up.

alf · 03-02-2003, 06:06 PM

I hope that is all it is. Another excuse to go romping

Hey, my wife loves your cat, is that a korat?

alf

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

I think you'll find it's a metal preservative. It will burn off in no time.

James

alf · 03-02-2003, 06:49 PM

James
Thanks for the insight, but wouldn't any preservative have already burnt off? That thing is from a early 80s car. Or does it sort of reactivate itself after sitting for some time?

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Oh, so sorry. I thought you installed a new one. I put a new muffler on my 914/6 and it smoked for a few minutes.

Hmmmm. Maybe it is perservative, the leaking oil kind...

James

old_skul · 03-03-2003, 11:54 AM

My car does this too in cold, humid weather, with a stock muffler/cat. It's just condensation. Different types of metal, and where you store your car (indoors or out) can affect how your car reacts. Mine just gets a lot of condensation in the exhaust, and it sounds like yours does too now.

There's also the possibility of a bad O2 sensor, or installation of it. That could make it run rich, but I would think unburned fuel would come out as darker smoke.

alf · 03-03-2003, 01:21 PM

Update. I've discovered that it is only smoking when it is on cold idle. Driving immediately after start up eliminates the smoke unless i am idling at a stop sign within the first couple of minutes.

Perhaps it is some engine management thing that forces a rich mixture when it is cold that does not burn off at idle rpms. The OEM cat might have filtered the smoke out before.

Anyway, its in for a valve adjustment and new plugs this afternoon and the tech is going to check out the smoke.

alf