white smoke

Mas

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Oct 3, 2006
Messages
1,656
What does white smoke mean at idle?
 

i386

Captain
Joined
Aug 24, 2004
Messages
3,548
Re: white smoke

White smoke (steam) indicates water in the cumbustion chamber due to a "blown" head gasket. Compression should be checked. Presence of water droplets on spark plugs is another indication. If found to be the case, the head will need to be pulled and the head gasket replaced. The engine should also show loss of power.
 

Scaaty

Vice Admiral
Joined
May 31, 2004
Messages
5,180
Re: white smoke

Helps if you give some more info, like just what motor are we talking here...on start up, when warm...? Is it smoke, it it steam?
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: white smoke

and weather conditions, cold and humid ? do a compression check before pulling the head. i agree with scaaty more info.
 

Mas

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Oct 3, 2006
Messages
1,656
Re: white smoke

Sorry,

1994 20hp evinrude.

There isn't a lot of white smoke & it only occurs at idle. I have lots of power to plane. I recently decarbed about at week ago. The smoke looks similar...but to a much much lesser degree. Also, I have not added any of the seafoam product to my tank.

I've just been adjusting my carb so it runs leaner due to heavy blue smoke at idle...being too rich. It seems if I run it too lean, I tend to get the white smoke. Again, this is only at idle.
 

Mas

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Oct 3, 2006
Messages
1,656
Re: white smoke

Sorry again, it occurs at startup and after warming up. The weather is has been cool (about 60 degrees) and humidity...well I'm not sure, but it wasn't raining, nor was it dry air. I live in the Pacific Northwest!
 

Scaaty

Vice Admiral
Joined
May 31, 2004
Messages
5,180
Re: white smoke

You boat in saltwater here, or fresh? And did it just start this, or has it been awhile?
 

Mas

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Oct 3, 2006
Messages
1,656
Re: white smoke

salt water.

I've only noticed the white smoke after I adjusted the idle screw about two weeks ago & have run the motor on about 3 occasions...both WOT and trolling.
 
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