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Exhaust problems, 94 blazer
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BurnNotice
New User
Jan 21, 2008, 8:12 PM
Post #1 of 5
(1421 views)
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Exhaust problems, 94 blazer
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I own a 94 chevy blazer, 172k miles.
so i was driving it to work today and noticed that the exhaust coming out from behind was a LOT more than usual, even in 10 degree weather. when i would stop, it would shroud around the entire vehicle. the exhaust was white and thick and it smelled very strange. i fear that it may be an exhaust leak, but i am not 100 percent sure really what it is at all.
when i stopped the car and turned it off, i heard a bubbling sound from under the hood from where it seemed like the antifreeze tank.
Any ideas on how to approach this one?
(This post was edited by BurnNotice on Jan 21, 2008, 8:29 PM)
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dave284
Enthusiast
/ Moderator
Jan 21, 2008, 10:37 PM
Post #2 of 5
(1409 views)
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Re: Exhaust problems, 94 blazer
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White smoke, burning oil, does the vehicle have any oil leaks that might be dripping on the exhaust pipe? A leaking radiator spraying on a hot surface same effect different smell also it would start to overheat. Check for anti-freeze or oil leaking on exhaust pipe / manifold
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 22, 2008, 1:56 AM
Post #3 of 5
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Re: Exhaust problems, 94 blazer
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Bet your coolant froze - intakes weak on these. Coolant could be in combustion chamber. Top of engines would freeze first after the radiator which can freeze in no time. No circulation and no cooling.......
Doesn't sound good
T
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BurnNotice
New User
Jan 22, 2008, 2:32 AM
Post #4 of 5
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Re: Exhaust problems, 94 blazer
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Would that have made the engine block crack?
What is the best/worst case scenario i'm looking at right now?
(This post was edited by BurnNotice on Jan 22, 2008, 2:49 AM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 22, 2008, 3:59 AM
Post #5 of 5
(1397 views)
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Re: Exhaust problems, 94 blazer
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Ok: You said 10 degrees F. and that's cold enough. I've noticed in several vehicles over the decades now that the rad will freeze quickly as it's job is to give off/tranfer heat. The heavy mass of an engine will hold heat much, much longer. If it had been run the day before it still holds heat and won't freeze and crack so fast but eventually will freeze from the top first. The reason for that is that liquid by temp will rise and fall inside just like a pond or lake does until it first freezes at the top. Note: Ponds and about anything doesn't freeze from the bottom as heat rises until it's all the same temp for a while then it can stratify at the danger point and top is first. That's where the first weak links would be the gaskets there IMO.
Block can crack but not so fast. What may have happened is the rad made a split/leak, and was able to spit some coolant at the engine and make the fog and odor you noticed. Rad wouldn't circulate and engine would overheat and try to blow off pressure thru the recovery tank as you noted.
Side note: Weak anti-freeze mix (guess = protection level of +20F or so) will contract when it freezes and not break things! It's real H2O (water) that has the property of expanding when changing state from liquid to solid. Other things shrink!
Only one engine I've known of cracked the block. Most will indeed find weaker places to expand and wreck something. Freeze plugs are well known to pop out and got the name from now ancient engines when they were there to prevent damage but that's not what they are there for anymore. They are there to blow out the casting when engine is made and are called "CORE PLUGS" but the name caught on back ages ago.
Side noteII: Before ethylene/glycol (anti-freeze) was used alcohol was the anti-freeze and lost or evaporated the alcohol quickly when heated so it had to be checked constantly and replenished - that's now prehistoric like Model T autos back when!
You probably can fix this up. This thing should be taken to a warm garage - check the concentration level of the ant-freeze if still what was there intact. That would tell lots.
I'm only guessing at the problem. What is the history on this. Could there be any chance that the anti-freeze wasn't strong enough. What usually happens to people is some leak from Summer weather happened and they just added water and forgot. It may not have been a leak but an overheat and blew out coolant back when and when fixed didn't leak but again only water added and left by mistake. An overheat in the history would weaken the head and intake manifold gaskets alone if not cause a problem right away which wasn't mentioned.
If you can't get this to a warm place right now - about 6am here (Mass) then start the engine for a few minutes and shut it off and cover the whole hood and grille. Engine will have enough heat to prevent more problems and buy you some time (repeat that as necessary but perhaps too late) to get this figured out. If the anti-freeze concentration really is suspect, drain out what you can and add straight anti-freeze for now (just some) and look for the drain plugs on sides of the engine as the block won't drain fully from the radiator. Those who do boating with automotive engines know of these clearly!
Good luck - I think it's damage control right now and hit back with what you find. Remember - just towing the thing may make it worse if not drained out!
T
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