Exhaust smoke while driving

Asked by xTiffaaxx Aug 09, 2016 at 08:41 PM about the 1997 Toyota Tercel 4 Dr CE Sedan

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I have a 97 toyota tercel that runs pretty good, only
issue is when I'm coming down a hill and I have to
break a little harder to yeild, stop, ect. Once I press
the gas to start going again it releases a cloud of
white smoke from the exhaust and takes a minute
or so to gain power I'll have to pin the gas pedal
and it feels like theres no power behind it, then it
chugs a couple times, blows smoke, then its fine.
This only happens going down hills when I have to
stop and go again never on a flat street or going up
a hill. Any ideas ?

2 Answers
2,985

Chris answered 7 years ago

how many miles on engine? Usually white smoke with a slight blue tint, means engine is burning oil. Since yours seems to occur under deceleration, often the cause is worn valve guides in the cylinder head, The extra oil entering combustion chamber may be fouling the spark plugs momentarily, then all is well. Pretty expensive to repair as the cylinder head needs to be removed, so if it's not too big of a deal, and car still passes smog, then you may wish to leave it be. Hope this helps.

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jhkhoury2 answered 7 years ago

the tercel is notorious for needing valve stem seals and in some cases exhaust valves. you can ask a shop to use a bore-scope to check the conditions of your valves through the spark plug holes.

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