mechanic told us cause of excessive steam out of tailpipe on 1991 mercury colony park is head gasket. car has 91k miles. is this normal? i changed plugs recently..car has run great! did i cause this?
headgasket
- Thread starter Caliberguy
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If you have excessive condensation coming out of you tailpipe this could be a cause. When was the headgasket last replaced? I highly doubt you caused the problem by changing the spark plugs, you are taking about a car that is over 2 decades old.
When you changed the plugs, were any real clean, or otherwise different than the other cyls?
This is another indicator of a bad head gasket/cracked head.
But of course, coolant loss is a huge clue!
This is another indicator of a bad head gasket/cracked head.
But of course, coolant loss is a huge clue!
I've have bad experiences with mechanics telling me I had head gasket issues due to the 'smell of the exhaust'.. check for coolant loss and the clean plugs as suggested. If none of those symptoms then you are probably ok.
If it was used for short trips, it can build up enough water in the exhaust to produce quite a bit of steam.
My 1997 Crown Victoria did that when I first got it. It took almost 150 miles of highway driving before it stopped steaming out the exhaust.
My 1997 Crown Victoria did that when I first got it. It took almost 150 miles of highway driving before it stopped steaming out the exhaust.
old spark plugs were in good shape. no coolant loss!! so i think maybe the car needs a 100 mile drive to burn out the vapor.
my parents haven't driven much. car sits alot. i suspect the car just needs to be driven on highway
my mustang is having same problem, clean clear water out tail pipe and little bit of steam smoke, its a sign of healthy engine, and it happent because short trip when the exhault dont have enought time to burn those condension off, i recomment take it for a long drive 30+, I just did mine yesterday and all smoke gone and no water out tail pipe.
spark plugs i took out were ok after 7 years.....car has no coolant leaks. radiator done 2 years ago, tranny 2 years ago as well. I'm going to take car for nice athletic run on Friday, open it up on highway!!!!! i hope it's ok
Look inside you coolant reservoir for bubbles. If you see them, odds are you need the HG.
no bubbles. oil is fine. I started car today and hardly any steam. i have deduced that my folks havent driven it much, and with new spark plugs, car is reving nice and loosly. today i took it on highway and it flies!!!!! no HG problems!! thank God! and thanks to all you
the mechanic only told them what it could be based upon what my mon told her. but yes, i was mad my dad didn't go with her..they saw a woman and tried take advantage
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