white smoke immediate and complete power loss

manuelcolombia · 03-23-2008, 02:06 PM

Hi guys,

Just wanted to get your opinions on my problem before i take the car to the shop.

four days ago I installed a haltech E11 standalone ECU for my 02 WRX. Two days later Im getting a cloud of white smoke from the tailpipe. This has happened twice now and both time it happened uring hard acceleration when im at full boost running at about 5,500 rpm.

The first thing that happens is a thump sound, (doesn't sound like somithing has been hit, more like if suddenly something blocked the tailpipe... thump.) Immediately after this i loose all power, the engine literally turns off. So, both these times im in the car, smoke coming out the tail pipe, the engine turned off (switch is still open) and im rolling to the curb.

The car won't start until I've let it sit fot about one or two minutes.

When it runs againa there is no smoke. Exhaust just smells like exhaust, no gas smell. Coolant level seems fine.

I wonder if it puffs out white smoke, shouldn't it be doing it all the time?

Im running a VF 34, upipipe and turboback, short ram intake (not using the MAF on the haltech).

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lomiraboy · 03-23-2008, 02:20 PM

dude how many pounds of boost where you running and when you start the car back up did it smoke again/ i had the same problem and i found i only have 3 psi of compression in cylinder 4 so my motor is blown.

fastlanerex · 03-23-2008, 02:23 PM

when you hear thumps from the tailpipe 9-10 times its a missfire. as for white smoke thats normally coolant.

MY best guess is a blown head gasket

manuelcolombia · 03-23-2008, 02:28 PM

I was running 14 psi. I did a compression test about a year ago and its was just above passable. Maybe its time to check again. I also think it may be a headgasket. I'm having the engine opened and have then check the gaskets, bearings, and rings.

But my question still remains.. if its coolant, should it be smoking all the time? Or does it just happen under stress, like from a 14 psi boost run?

fastlanerex · 03-23-2008, 02:43 PM

it all depends id have to see it to diagnose this problem

sharkmonkey · 03-24-2008, 01:03 AM

You could be pushing coolant past the head gasket when the pump builds enough pressure in the system, not something I've experienced just a theory from the data you've provided.

03-23-2008, 02:06 PM	#1
manuelcolombia Scooby Newbie Member#: 144772 Join Date: Mar 2007 Vehicle: 2002 WRX Wagon Silver	white smoke immediate and complete power loss Hi guys, Just wanted to get your opinions on my problem before i take the car to the shop. four days ago I installed a haltech E11 standalone ECU for my 02 WRX. Two days later Im getting a cloud of white smoke from the tailpipe. This has happened twice now and both time it happened uring hard acceleration when im at full boost running at about 5,500 rpm. The first thing that happens is a thump sound, (doesn't sound like somithing has been hit, more like if suddenly something blocked the tailpipe... thump.) Immediately after this i loose all power, the engine literally turns off. So, both these times im in the car, smoke coming out the tail pipe, the engine turned off (switch is still open) and im rolling to the curb. The car won't start until I've let it sit fot about one or two minutes. When it runs againa there is no smoke. Exhaust just smells like exhaust, no gas smell. Coolant level seems fine. I wonder if it puffs out white smoke, shouldn't it be doing it all the time? Im running a VF 34, upipipe and turboback, short ram intake (not using the MAF on the haltech). * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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03-23-2008, 02:20 PM	#2
lomiraboy Scooby Newbie Member#: 158055 Join Date: Aug 2007 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: lomira wi Vehicle: 2002 wrx wagon black	dude how many pounds of boost where you running and when you start the car back up did it smoke again/ i had the same problem and i found i only have 3 psi of compression in cylinder 4 so my motor is blown.

03-23-2008, 02:23 PM	#3
fastlanerex Scooby Specialist Member#: 133391 Join Date: Nov 2006 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Delaware Vehicle: 2004 boosted saleen white	when you hear thumps from the tailpipe 9-10 times its a missfire. as for white smoke thats normally coolant. MY best guess is a blown head gasket

03-23-2008, 02:28 PM	#4
manuelcolombia Scooby Newbie Member#: 144772 Join Date: Mar 2007 Vehicle: 2002 WRX Wagon Silver	I was running 14 psi. I did a compression test about a year ago and its was just above passable. Maybe its time to check again. I also think it may be a headgasket. I'm having the engine opened and have then check the gaskets, bearings, and rings. But my question still remains.. if its coolant, should it be smoking all the time? Or does it just happen under stress, like from a 14 psi boost run?

03-23-2008, 02:43 PM	#5
fastlanerex Scooby Specialist Member#: 133391 Join Date: Nov 2006 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Delaware Vehicle: 2004 boosted saleen white	it all depends id have to see it to diagnose this problem

03-24-2008, 01:03 AM	#6
sharkmonkey Scooby Specialist Member#: 118566 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Seattle Vehicle: 2005 WRX OBP	You could be pushing coolant past the head gasket when the pump builds enough pressure in the system, not something I've experienced just a theory from the data you've provided.