1998 Saturn SW2 White smoke from exhaust disappears when I

Tiny
SPENCERSNYGG
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 SATURN SW2
Engine Cooling problem
1998 Saturn SW2 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive 120k miles

I just bought a 98 saturn station wagon and found out that it was losing water out the exhaust. I thought this was a head gasket issue, so I shaved the head and replaced the head gasket. I still have the same amount of smoke. Then I remembered that the owner said that "when you turn on the AC, it doesn't overheat". I thought he meant heater, but for the heck of it, I turned on the AC and the white smoke went away immediately. Turned it off and the smoke returned immediately. Any ideas?

Thanks.
Sunday, December 13th, 2009 AT 9:03 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
HI there, Thank you for the donation, when you did the head did you replace the thermostat, and is the engine running cooler that normal on the gauge?

Mark (mhpautos)
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Sunday, December 13th, 2009 AT 10:21 PM
Tiny
SPENCERSNYGG
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I replaced the thermostat, but I don't know what the normal operating temperature for this vehicle is. The gauge reads just shy of the center.
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Sunday, December 13th, 2009 AT 10:40 PM
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
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OK, was thinking low coolant temp and a condensation problem, this is quite odd, I will have to give it some thought.

Mark.
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Sunday, December 13th, 2009 AT 10:46 PM

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