Practically Classics Forum

Hi everyone

a few weeka since i posted but things have moved on. currently the car is moving on its own however seems to have developed a nasty cloud of white smoke and some water comming from the exaust pipes. this confuses me as the engine sounds very good and has plenty of power. also there is no coolant loss or oil in the water. classically i would think head gaskit but the car has not been under any load and this has suddently started. I am at pains to start an engine.strip down but.it has all.the signs.of a head gaskit.

Thoughts on this would be appreciated. As i have never down a v8 head gaskit this will be a first for.me. i done lots of landrover head gaskits but not this type. I was thinking as a first stage to.do a compression test on all.cylinders to.see is.one.is low. The smoke is.not grey or.black so i am not suspecting rings. there is a large amount.ot.water dripping oit.of the.exaust pipe but the car has not been driven in a long.time and only been ticking over.for 20 minutes at a time at idle.


Any thoughts and things to.test?



Lee
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lhubbard wrote:there is a large amount.ot.water dripping oit.of the.exaust pipe but the car has not been driven in a long.time and only been ticking over.for 20 minutes at a time at idle.

Condensation would be my guess. Is there any Mayonnaise in the rocker covers and/or under the oil filler cap?

Yep, gotta agree with that, I'd lay money that your head gasket is fine.

Especially at this time of year, the amount of white steam and water dripping from exhausts can seem enormous, what that car needs is a decent run at speed for an hour or so. Until you're in a position to do so, I reckon you're all right.

A compression test won't do any harm of course, and might set your mind at rest, as well as giving you a useful snapshot of compression data at this stage.

All the best with a beautiful car.

Hi guys

many.thanks for.that. i have had the engine ticking.over a few times for up.to.half an.hour but never run it on the road. it just seems to have lota of.power too.much for a head gasket. the water from the exaust was alot it was running out. but there is not creamy in the oil or in the rockrsers.


Just how much condensation am i.likely.to.get there seems to be running out at a fair rate but i am guessing that a fair amount can collect in the exaust system.

I will.give it a run for about an hour.then see if.it.drops off. its strange.as it only.started doing this in the last day. As i have just put tires on i cannot tqke the car out for a major drive but i will take it for a few spins around the block see if things reduce and also if any water is.being used as the rate this was pouring out the exaust it.must be using lots of water.

Many thanks guys for your help hope i can return.with.good.news

best regards

lee

Round the block, unless it's a massive building, won't get it properly warmed through, you really need to give it a good long run to get rid of your condensation. Simply letting it idle will probably only cause more condensation to form.

For every gallon of petrol you use a gallon of water comes out of the exhaust.

Hi there guys

many thabks i will give it a majorrun. what confused me was the.sudden production of.these vast clouds of.steam. i know its.got.cold lately so i am guessing it was there but would have been harder to spot.

further investigations today.


Best regards

lee

Good stuff, a run with the engine under any kind of load will do it the power of good TBH.

One more thing - any chance of a few pictures of the car, or have I missed them posted elsewhere?

I love these, my Dad had one when I was a kid and it's high on my "must have one day" list, above a MkII Jag as it happens - and what's more, SWMBO agrees!

Cheers

Hi guys

well i have checked in both rocker covers and oil filler. there is no evidence of water incress. secondly coolant level retains constant after it has been alowed to tick over and taken for short run. i will give it a good.drive around and get the engine working but with no evidence of coolant loss seems to indicate that condentation might be a winner.

I wonder how full the exaust boxes are of water?

Best regards

lee

lhubbard wrote:.....I wonder how full the exaust boxes are of water?

There's bound to be a fair bit in there, seeing as the car hasn't been driven in anger yet, but don't worry, look upon this as a good reason - rather than an excuse - to go for a long drive.