Here's why:
* White Smoke: This usually indicates combustion gases mixing with coolant. The coolant is being burned in the engine, resulting in the white smoke.
* Antifreeze Leak: This confirms a coolant leak somewhere in the system.
* No Service Engine Light: The OBD-II system (likely present on a '94 model) might not always detect a head gasket leak, especially in the early stages. The leak might be small enough not to trigger the light.
* Running Smoothly: The engine *could* still run smoothly even with a head gasket leak, especially if the leak is relatively small.
What to do:
* Do NOT drive the car. Continuing to drive it will worsen the damage and potentially cause catastrophic engine failure. The mixing of coolant and oil can severely damage the engine internals.
* Have it towed to a mechanic. A proper diagnosis is needed. A compression test and a leak-down test will help confirm the head gasket failure. Other potential (but less likely) causes like a cracked cylinder head or intake manifold gasket should also be investigated.
* Prepare for a significant repair. Head gasket replacement is a major repair job, requiring significant labor and parts. The cost will depend on the specific needs and your mechanic's rates.
Ignoring this problem will almost certainly lead to a much more expensive repair later. Get it checked out immediately.
