[SOLVED] Major work done, now thick white smoke

swathdiver · Jan 21, 2026

If your exhaust was opened up and you sprayed cleaners in the engine bay, it's probably that some went down the Y-Pipes or manifolds and through the cats when the engine was started.

I would be tempted to start and run the engine again after checking the plugs and fluids if yours were mine.

Joseph Garcia · Jan 21, 2026

I agree with @swathdiver. Start it up again and see if the smoke is still there or if it dissipates. The reality is that if you take it somewhere, that is the first thing that they are going to do to begin troubleshooting.

West 1 · Jan 21, 2026

When you try and start it, if the engine turns over hard or even stops turning. STOP. That would indicate fluid in a cylinder. If you try to start against fluid in the cylinder it will hydro lock and maybe break a piston or bend a connecting rod.

If it spins normally certainly start it and hope the smoke clears in a minute or two.

SpareParts · Jan 21, 2026

tombguard4 said:
it stinks real bad, not sure I would say it is sweet

Hard to describe but you would probably know it once you smell it.
Its a pretty strong indication of coolant getting burned when running.

tombguard4 · Jan 22, 2026

Thanks, guys! You helped reaffirm my thoughts that it was just moisture and cleaning materials burning off. I had the courage to go out and start her again. About 20 minutes later, she is running clear. No smoke! The engine sounded fine, no leaks on the ground, and fluids are full and clear. On Saturday, I will put the wheels back on her and take her for a spin. I am pretty sure she will be running better than before.

swathdiver · Jan 23, 2026

tombguard4 said:
Thanks, guys! You helped reaffirm my thoughts that it was just moisture and cleaning materials burning off. I had the courage to go out and start her again. About 20 minutes later, she is running clear. No smoke! The engine sounded fine, no leaks on the ground, and fluids are full and clear. On Saturday, I will put the wheels back on her and take her for a spin. I am pretty sure she will be running better than before.

Good to hear!

If yours were mine, I would be looking at the upstream and downstream O2 sensors while out on that drive to make sure the cats didn't get fouled up.

Remember, upstream sensors move up and down quite a bit, downstream sensors are much more steady, unless there's a problem with the cat. If it starts showing data like an upstream sensor, it's catalyst time.

Joseph Garcia · Jan 23, 2026

Great to read that your issue is resolved without any catastrophes.

LsHart · May 4, 2026

tombguard4 said:
it stinks real bad, not sure I would say it is sweet

Sweet like a jolly rancher up the nose. Overwhelming Sweet. It will be noticeable.

LsHart · May 4, 2026

Coolant line to throttle body

LsHart · May 4, 2026

Going back. When u say white smoke on start up. What's the temperature where ur located? And was it super cloudy? Like everywhere as it ran?

LsHart · May 4, 2026

Redacted

[SOLVED] Major work done, now thick white smoke

swathdiver

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Joseph Garcia

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West 1

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SpareParts

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tombguard4

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swathdiver

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Joseph Garcia

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LsHart

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LsHart

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LsHart

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LsHart

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