Hey guys, I'm sure this has been covered here a million times. I finally got my Duke running. It sounds good! It's got some issues (idles way high at 3k. Ordered new egr valve and iac sensor) the most alarming one is it billows white smoke out of the exhaust... I'm worried I have a bad head gasket. The car did sit for about 6-7 years before I got it, it didn't have any fluids in it when I got it either (previous owner drained it to remove the engine) The previous owner replaced the valve cover gasket but didn't mention anything about the head gasket. I have a few coolant leaks I need to address but I was considering trying some of that blue devil stuff to try to seal up the gasket...I could take the head off but I'd like to avoid if possible. I only paid 650 for the car 😂. Anyone had any luck with that stuff or something similar on the Duke?

Also, I only ran it for maybe 1 minute max maybe 5 or 6 times. because I was worried I'd smoke out my neighbors! Maybe it just needs to circulate fluids through it and it'll go away? Anyone have any ideas on a reason besides the head gasket? 😂 Figured I'd shoot my shot.

Thanks!

So... I have some thoughts, because my daughter has been going through this too. The first is, have you checked the oil? Make sure you don't have a milkshake consistency. Second, the smoke colors kind of work like this:
- Blue, is usually oil burning
- Grey, is usually too much fuel
- White, is usually coolant burning

So you're correct in your assessment. We have a similar problem with the 85 Fiero that my daughter has been rebuilding. It doesn't billow white smoke, but occasionally if we allow it to warm up, and then tap the throttle, it'll produce a cloud of white smoke. Driving around normally is not so bad, but when we're getting on it, it'll actually blow out coolant seals and stuff. So my fear is that there's a cracked cyl head.

A constant billowing of white smoke though, is almost assuredly a bad head gasket.

Frenchrafe posted a good response in this thread here: https://www.fiero.nl/forum/...ML/148152-2.html#p61

He used a product that sealed up his 3800 and he's still racing with it today. It might help, at least something worth trying before you put in the effort to remove the cyl head and recondition it.

quote Originally posted by 82-T/A [At Work]: So... I have some thoughts, because my daughter has been going through this too. The first is, have you checked the oil? Make sure you don't have a milkshake consistency. Second, the smoke colors kind of work like this: - Blue, is usually oil burning - Grey, is usually too much fuel - White, is usually coolant burning So you're correct in your assessment. We have a similar problem with the 85 Fiero that my daughter has been rebuilding. It doesn't billow white smoke, but occasionally if we allow it to warm up, and then tap the throttle, it'll produce a cloud of white smoke. Driving around normally is not so bad, but when we're getting on it, it'll actually blow out coolant seals and stuff. So my fear is that there's a cracked cyl head. A constant billowing of white smoke though, is almost assuredly a bad head gasket. Frenchrafe posted a good response in this thread here: https://www.fiero.nl/forum/...ML/148152-2.html#p61 He used a product that sealed up his 3800 and he's still racing with it today. It might help, at least something worth trying before you put in the effort to remove the cyl head and recondition it.

So I did change the oil when I got it. It seemed normal for used oil that's been sitting for a while. I *think* the smoke was white. It might have been gray? I'll have to check it again. Too much fuel would make sense with my crazy idle. I need to fix some coolant leaks (forgot to put a new gasket on the pulley when I put it on...LOL) and when I do I'll check to see if the level goes down. I was hoping it would stop after a while but I didn't want to run it too long, I live in a tight neighborhood and didn't want the neighbors complaining 😂 I tapped the throttle on mine too and it blasted a bunch of smoke out.

I think once I get the coolant sealed I'll try that head gasket sealer. I've done a bit of research and have seen varying results, but I'll try it before I dismantle the whole engine.

Also, I think your daughter is gen z garage right? Her videos were very helpful when I had to remove the intake manifold and my fuel tank and sending unit! Appreciate you guys documenting everything for people like myself to reference.

quote Originally posted by Worcen: ...it billows white smoke out of the exhaust... Also, I only ran it for maybe 1 minute max maybe 5 or 6 times.

Under certain temperature/humidity/atmospheric conditions, it's quite normal for white "smoke" to billow out of the exhaust. It's usually just condensed moisture in the exhaust system being heated/burned up and expelled. The smoke show will end eventually. Unless your coolant level is dropping, I wouldn't worry about it.