TR2/3/3A Smoking TR3

[Twosheds]

Gang, my TR3 is emitting large amounts of smoke out the exhaust (see attached photo). Is this normal or cause for alarm? The smoke has a wonderful aroma of roasting walnuts.

How can I cure this problem? The Patch?

 

[DougF]

Did your car come equipped with an escape the inlaws fogging package?

 

[Tinkerman]

John, white smoke like that is usually indicative of a coolant problem, a serious problem but much less so than blue or black smoke. Back in my younger days it usually meant a blown head gasket. A compression check should tell you whats up. Also look for coolant on the dipstick.

Good luck, Tinkerman

 

[NutmegCT]

I'm assuming this is after the engine is all toasty warmed up? Running nice and smooth - just a tad foggy out the back?

Roasted walnuts - sounds like coolant to me. What's the coolant look like? What's the oil look like? If the oil looks "milky" - yep, that's the coolant going where it's not supposed to go.

Tom

 

[PeterK]

Looks like head gasket leak letting water into the combustion chamber. Not good. Try retorquing the head and look for coolant in the oil. Change the oil if it is fouled with coolant.

 

[TR3driver]

My sympathies, John. The good news is that now you can practice doing the cylinder head R&R dance.

If the gasket isn't clearly toast, check the cylinder head & cylinder walls/liners. But that would be a big crack, so easily visible.

 

[Geo Hahn]

...Is this normal...

Oh sure. I actually studied the photo awhile to try to see how you photoshopped it -- but finally was convinced this is for real. Don't think I have ever seen one produce that much white stuff at idle.

My guess on what you'll find: A nasty moosh in the thin strip of head gasket between the coolant jacket and either cylinder #2 or #3.

 

[rlandrum]

Water in the tank maybe? Or perhaps in the oil... Did it start immediately, or only after the car warmed up?

But with that amount of smoke, I'd say head gasket.

 

[Twosheds]

All of ya are wrong! It was due to the walnuts in the exhaust catching fire.

Deposited there by mice or some other rodents.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

 

[John_Mc]

All of ya are wrong! It was due to the walnuts in the exhaust catching fire.

Deposited there by mice or some other rodents.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Are you serious? It was really walnuts?? Well, you just need to say (in a deep manly voice, of course) "Look man, I ain't fallin' fo' no walnuts in my tail pipe!!"

Tail pipe

 

[Brosky]

At least they could have done chestnuts!

"Chestnuts roasting on a Twoshed's fire....."

 

[TR3driver]

Ah, you got me ! I wondered about you asking such an apparently basic question ... but failed to act on my suspicion.

I am surprised the exhaust didn't blow the nuts out, though.

 

[Twosheds]

I am surprised the exhaust didn't blow the nuts out, though.

It did when I blipped the throttle! Dozens of smouldering nuts flew out. I'm lucky they didn't hit my old SAAB, just barely visible in the photo.

The smoke obscures several walnut trees across the road. You were right to be suspicious of me, a known Smart-Aleck.

Thanks for being a Good Sport when your leg is being pulled.

 

[Opa]

was gonna get involved but smelled a rat /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif

 

[DNK]

You know Dr. John,I thought you were a little 2 knowledgeable to ask such a question. That's what baffled me.

 

[tdskip]

How long before the rest of the squirrel is smoked out?

 

[AweMan]

I`v heard of and tasted red Squirrel Gravy, But smoked Squirrel? Smoked Walnuts?
Hahahahahaha
Sorry I couldn`t resist!

 

[Twosheds]

You know Dr. John,I thought you were a little 2 knowledgeable to ask such a question. That's what baffled me.

You're too kind, DNK. Here's another photo. Note how the smoke has filled the far meadow.

P.S. DNK, I have been told that your relative in Frederick, MD, Joe, does excellent bodywork in his new shop.

 

[Twosheds]

was gonna get involved but smelled a rat /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif

Smelled a rat!

Just got it.

Good one, Opa!

 

[Opa]

do I win a walnut?? /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/blush.gif a lotta thought went into that....t'was the the patch that give it away....