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Car Started Stalling Intermittently. Now Blowing Alot White Smoke What Could This Be>

Tiny
BOPPLES70
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 168,000 MILES
The first day, car stalled 3 times while driving. Started back up, but ran rough.
Checked oil level, needed to add 3 quarts. Cannot detect a leak.
The 2nd day, car idled rough. Then, started blowing white smoke while driving.
This car's engine was replaced at 85,000 miles. Just bought it from private seller a week ago with no leaks, no noises, nothing!
Help!
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Thursday, February 16th, 2012 AT 5:45 PM

13 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,192 POSTS
That is really low on oil. The white smoke indicates to me that there is coolant getting into the combustion chamber most likely via a bad head gasket. Check to see if coolant is mixing with oil or oil with coolant.
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Thursday, February 16th, 2012 AT 5:51 PM
Tiny
BOPPLES70
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  • 16 POSTS
How much will a shop charge to replace?
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Thursday, February 16th, 2012 AT 5:54 PM
Tiny
BOPPLES70
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  • 16 POSTS
Someone else mentioned piston rings. What happens when they go bad?
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Thursday, February 16th, 2012 AT 5:55 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Rings will cause a loss of compression, blue smoke from the exhaust (oil burning) and blow by. Once they get bad enough, the engine will no longer start.
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Thursday, February 16th, 2012 AT 6:01 PM
Tiny
BOPPLES70
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  • 16 POSTS
This is pure white smoke and a lot of it. Also, intermittent stalling, oil disappearing. I will have to check coolant and oil mix.
How much does a head gasket replacement run?
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Thursday, February 16th, 2012 AT 6:03 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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If it is only a gasket, expect to spend around 500.
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Thursday, February 16th, 2012 AT 6:08 PM
Tiny
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  • 16 POSTS
What about piston rings?
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Thursday, February 16th, 2012 AT 6:09 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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At that point, which I doubt is the problem, the engine needs rebuilt.
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Thursday, February 16th, 2012 AT 6:10 PM
Tiny
BOPPLES70
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  • 16 POSTS
Oh, so you feel pretty confident it's the head gasket even though it may not be crossing oil and coolant?
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Thursday, February 16th, 2012 AT 6:14 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Yes
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Thursday, February 16th, 2012 AT 6:24 PM
Tiny
BOPPLES70
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Thanks for all of your input!
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Thursday, February 16th, 2012 AT 6:24 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Glad to help. Let me know the final outcome.
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Thursday, February 16th, 2012 AT 8:18 PM
Tiny
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Gladly!
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Thursday, February 16th, 2012 AT 8:19 PM

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