Engine check light

Tiny
SMITTY1974
  • MEMBER
  • 2013 BUICK LACROSSE HYBRID
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 70,000 MILES
Hello, I have white smoke coming out of the exhaust and now i'm having problems starting my car.
Wednesday, October 16th, 2019 AT 11:27 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello,

White smoke coming from the exhaust of your vehicle is usually a sign of coolant being burnt in your engine's combustion chamber. The most common cause of this is usually a blown gasket[s], but it can also be a cracked cylinder head or cracked engine block. Here is a link describing the situation:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/white-smoke-or-steam-coming-from-the-exhaust-pipe

So let's start with the most common problem, a blown head gasket. Here is another link describing how to test for this below:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

Please go through these guides and get back to us with what you are able to find out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Wednesday, October 16th, 2019 AT 1:06 PM
Tiny
SMITTY1974
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thanks so much for your help. Sounds like this could be expensive. Would you know how much it would be to get it replaced for a 2013 Buick LaCrosse? Also I got it evaluated earlier before this happened and got a code of p0013. Thanks again
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Wednesday, October 16th, 2019 AT 3:16 PM
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello again,

Okay, you did not mention that earlier. In the diagrams down below I have included your vehicle's diagnostic troubleshooting guide for DTC P0013 from the vehicle manufacturer as well as the parts and labor guide for your vehicle's head gasket for reference. When going by this guide you will have to multiply the labor hours by whatever the going hourly shop rate in your area is. Please go through these guides and get back to us with what you are able to find out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Wednesday, October 16th, 2019 AT 6:16 PM
Tiny
SMITTY1974
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Okay, thanks so much this will help, since the battery is dead. Can a jump start get the car starting again? Want to take it to the shop.
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Wednesday, October 16th, 2019 AT 6:42 PM
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello again,

If it ran before the battery died then it's safe to assume with a jump start it will start again. Here is a link below for you to go to if you need help with jump starting your vehicle:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-jump-start-car-battery-using-jumper-cables

Please go through this guide, if needed, and get back to us with how turns out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Thursday, October 17th, 2019 AT 2:15 AM

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