Suddenly my Disco I (96K miles) started spewing an amzing amount of white smoke out of exhaust. It had been sitting for a few days. Just a slight bit of sluggishness. Is it safe to drive to the shop? Any ideas? White is moisture - right?

Thanks

 

White smoke is moisture either from burning condensation in exhaust or from burning coolant. In cold climates it can be hard to tell the difference. That's what happened to me.

If you drive it to the shop, don't let the temp needle go above 9:00. Never overheat a Rover. Check coolant level, and check oil. Milky oil means coolant is leaking into oil somewhere.

 

Dr. Eric is right (he has recently earned a Piled Higher & Deeper from the Kollege of Hard Knocks) - and he has posted write ups with pictures of his head gasket DIY job. White smoke not a good sign. Do you also have any of these other leaking head gaskets signs - loss of coolant, but no drips on ground; gurgling water fall noise in pipes under dash (exhaust gas or air bubbling through coolant); overheating (above 9:00); milky or green droplets in oil when drained (hard to see on dipstick)?

There is a $50 chemical test you can buy from a parts store to test for combustion gas in coolant, and rule out head gaskets. Tests like 15 times, so can use again. If problem is a head gasket, parts are about $300, machine shop work to mill the head back flat is $200, and several nights in the garage. Indy shops charge like $1500 - $1700 for this work. Dealers somewhat higher.

 

I would first check your coolant level. What does the exhaust smell like? Did the smoke linger or evaporate quickly? You likely have a bad head gasket. Did it smoke the whole time or mostly at start up? usually gaskets leak when engine is cold which causes smoke at start up. If your HG is far gone it will smoke the entire time.

If the smoke smells like fuel you may have unburnt fuel reaching the cat and burning off there. - both would cause your disco to run rough as it is likely misfiring..

 

We all hope so, but not always. The the key here is how soon the "smog" dissolves into the air. Moisture disappears almost right away with no much smell to it. Oil stays longer in the air, lower to the ground, and stinks.