Bad Smell, White Smoke, Rattling spark plug

[curtleyw]

Hey Guys,
Just doing some tidying up under the bonnet, had the falcon running.
Noticed this horrible smell, had a sniff around and it's coming from the exhaust.
There is white smoke and a reasonable amount of water dripping from the tip.
I'm sorry I can't describe what the smell is, it makes my eyes and nose burn when standing nearby.
I believe the normal smell is meant to be like eggs and the current smell is far from this.
It occurs only at idle and a small amount drifts out when the engine is off.
When you give it a bit of gas the smoke disappears. Engine is warm.

On another note no. 4 spark plug is rattling. I noticed the lead moving around and felt the plug and it seems to be hitting something in time with the rpm. :
Any ideas?
Cheers

[WindsorXR]

White smoke usually means burning oil, sometime that can give off a fair smell strong enough to burn your nose hairs.

[Peuty]

I thought burning oil gave off blue smoke.

[WindsorXR]

Could be diesel!!? lol. Thats the one that gives off white smoke!!

[curtleyw]

Pics of spark plugs for anyone interested (654321):


123456


Last oil change it had used some oil, but I always thought oil was blue as well :(
Could it possibly be coolant, I have no idea what coolant smells like when burnt.

Diesel haha, my mates cruiser wagon smokes awesomely, and I'm pretty sure the falcon doesn't smell like the sweet smell of diesel!

[Feathers]

If it's making your eyes and nose burn, it could be that your catalytic converter has had it.

[curtleyw]

Originally Posted by Feathers

If it's making your eyes and nose burn, it could be that your catalytic converter has had it.

Thanks for your suggestion.
I thought the same thing because the cat converter usually makes the exhaust that 'eggy' kind of smell.
BUT... I only just got this high flow cat about 20,000kms ago as the old one had had it @ 160,000. So I doubt this one would have packed it in already :(

[Falcon4L]

what brand cat convertor did you get... magnaflow have been known to throw the towel in early..

Also it could be coolant... not the best smelling stuff when it burns

[curtleyw]

Originally Posted by Falcon4L

what brand cat convertor did you get... magnaflow have been known to throw the towel in early..

Also it could be coolant... not the best smelling stuff when it burns

Yep I believe it's a magnaflow. I will just have to check the invoice in my box of paperwork but that's the first name that came to mind. :
Just had my mate out talking to me and even his eyes started watering and complained of a burning nose. : He wasn't even close to the car!
I guess the only way to find out if it's the converter or not will be to have an exhaust gasses test done :( more money down the gurgler!

[sly]

Originally Posted by Peuty

I thought burning oil gave off blue smoke.

It does, but it might look different after it goes through the cat.

[curtleyw]

Originally Posted by sly

It does, but it might look different after it goes through the cat.

Sounds plausible. So let's ASSUME for the moment that it is oil (I actually thought is smelt a bit like sewing machine oil burning at first).
Could you guys help me out with these q's.
1. Some possible reasons to why it's burning oil.
2. $$$$'s to fix :(
3. Can I get away with it for a while until I have some money saved to fix it. :

[BIGJB]

Start simple bloke...
I maybe way off here but check ya
throttle body see if there is any oil there.
If there is a huge amount it would be burning
up and even more so noticable at idle.

[Stav]

Originally Posted by curtleyw

Pics of spark plugs for anyone interested (654321):


123456


Last oil change it had used some oil, but I always thought oil was blue as well :(
Could it possibly be coolant, I have no idea what coolant smells like when burnt.

Diesel haha, my mates cruiser wagon smokes awesomely, and I'm pretty sure the falcon doesn't smell like the sweet smell of diesel!

Ignition timing is fine.

In the top photo from left to right...the forth and fifth spark plug have dirt deposits around the writing which look like residue from oil or a from a degrease.
Get a napkin or tissue and run it along the rocker cover where it meets the head. Is there any oil on the tissue


Edit: you mention number 4 tapping with rpm right? That is the sound of the spark going to earth.Number 4 has a bad lead or bad spark plug. Change both lead and plug.You have a misfire which is allowing unburnt fuel into the exhaust and your noses. Forget the above. This is the problem

[autickfordfairmont]

As Stav said, sounds to me like a bad lead or plug. Check you leads at night with the car running. If its completely dark you will see green sparks where & if the leads are shorting out.

[curtleyw]

Originally Posted by Stav

In the top photo from left to right...the forth and fifth spark plug have dirt deposits around the writing which look like residue from oil or a from a degrease.
Get a napkin or tissue and run it along the rocker cover where it meets the head. Is there any oil on the tissue

Thanks Stav,
When I was undoing the spark plugs i noticed oil on my knuckles and couldn't work out where it had come from. Though this morning I ran a tissue along the area you said and got nothing

Originally Posted by Stav

Edit: you mention number 4 tapping with rpm right? That is the sound of the spark going to earth.Number 4 has a bad lead or bad spark plug. Change both lead and plug.You have a misfire which is allowing unburnt fuel into the exhaust and your noses. Forget the above. This is the problem

Unfortunately when I put the plugs back in the tapping stopped but the smell remained :( Sparks are about 10,000 kms old but I have no idea when the leads were last done so this could still be the problem. I have noticed that I have got an intake manifold leak around number 1, there is fuel down that side of the engine. could this be affecting the exhaust smell?

Originally Posted by autickfordfairmont

As Stav said, sounds to me like a bad lead or plug. Check you leads at night with the car running. If its completely dark you will see green sparks where & if the leads are shorting out.

Thanks I will try this tonight and let you know.

[Stav]

Originally Posted by curtleyw

Thanks Stav,
When I was undoing the spark plugs i noticed oil on my knuckles and couldn't work out where it had come from. Though this morning I ran a tissue along the area you said and got nothing

Unfortunately when I put the plugs back in the tapping stopped but the smell remained :( Sparks are about 10,000 kms old but I have no idea when the leads were last done so this could still be the problem. I have noticed that I have got an intake manifold leak around number 1, there is fuel down that side of the engine. could this be affecting the exhaust smell?

Thanks I will try this tonight and let you know.

Fuel leak!! Get that fixed first.Sounds like an injector oring is gone. This is by far more important. Trust me fuel burns alot!!

As far as the smell..Check oil and water levels.If theyre ok you may simply have an exhaust leak under there or as mentioned a dead cat...miaooouuu

[Badcooky]

White smoke = water going through motor.

[Krakey]

Originally Posted by Badcooky

White smoke = water going through motor.

agreed, could be head gasket has shat itself and letting water in or could be a range of other things. best to just take it in and get it sussed out before it does some damage.

Krakey