* White smoke: This usually indicates coolant is entering the combustion chamber. White smoke that smells sweet is a classic symptom of a blown head gasket. However, if it is bluish-white, it could also indicate burning oil.
* High oil consumption: This could be caused by the same head gasket leak (coolant mixing with oil and being burnt) or by worn piston rings or valve seals, allowing oil to leak into the combustion chamber.
* Check engine light: This confirms there's a problem the car's computer has detected. You'll need to get the codes read to pinpoint the specific issue. An auto parts store often offers free code reading.
Possible Causes:
* Blown Head Gasket: This is the most likely culprit given the white smoke and oil consumption. A head gasket failure allows coolant to leak into the cylinders, causing the white smoke, and into the oil, causing the high oil consumption.
* Cracked Cylinder Head or Engine Block: A crack in the cylinder head or engine block would allow coolant to enter the combustion chamber, producing similar symptoms to a blown head gasket.
* Worn Piston Rings: Worn piston rings can allow oil to leak past the pistons into the combustion chamber, leading to bluish-white smoke and oil consumption.
* Worn Valve Stem Seals: These seals can wear out, allowing oil to leak into the combustion chamber.
What to Do:
1. Get the OBD-II trouble codes read: This will give you a better idea of what the car's computer is detecting.
2. Have a mechanic inspect the engine: This is crucial. A visual inspection, pressure test, and possibly a compression test will be needed to diagnose the problem accurately.
3. Don't continue driving: Driving with a blown head gasket or a severely worn engine can cause significant further damage. The white smoke indicates coolant is being burnt in the engine and can lead to overheating and catastrophic engine failure.
The repair cost could range from relatively minor (if it's a simple valve seal issue) to very expensive (requiring a head gasket replacement or even engine rebuild/replacement). Given the age of the vehicle, it's important to weigh the cost of repair against the value of the car. A mechanic can give you a better estimate of the repair cost after a proper diagnosis.
