* White smoke = coolant: White smoke is almost always indicative of burning coolant. Unlike oil smoke (which tends to be bluish-gray), coolant steam is usually white and can sometimes have a sweet smell.
* Good oil and transmission: This eliminates the most common causes of white smoke, which are burning oil or transmission fluid.
* Intermittent check engine light: The light likely comes on when the engine's computer detects a problem related to the coolant leak, perhaps a low coolant level sensor or a misfire caused by the coolant getting into the cylinders. It's intermittent because the leak might be small or inconsistent.
Where the coolant is leaking: The coolant is likely getting into the combustion chamber through a crack in the cylinder head, a blown head gasket, or a cracked engine block. These are common issues, especially in older vehicles.
Why it's important to address this quickly:
* Engine damage: Continuously burning coolant will cause significant engine damage. The coolant can overheat the engine, leading to warping, seizing, and catastrophic failure.
* Internal corrosion: Coolant is corrosive and will damage internal engine components over time.
What to do:
1. Diagnose the problem: Get a mechanic to perform a compression test and a leak-down test. These tests will pinpoint the exact source of the leak (head gasket, cracked head, etc.). They may also perform a coolant pressure test.
2. Repair: The repair will likely involve replacing the head gasket (most likely scenario) or, in more serious cases, the cylinder head or even the engine block. Ignoring the problem will almost certainly lead to more expensive repairs later.
Don't continue driving the car with this issue; you risk serious and costly engine damage. Get it checked out by a mechanic as soon as possible.
