![]() |
#1 |
The Post Count Whore
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Sorrento, Florida
Age: 52
Posts: 6,983
Vehicle: 1993 Nissan Hardbody
Thanks: 58
Thanked 770 Times in 719 Posts
|
![]()
So my 93 KA24E normally smokes on the first startup but lately I have noticed it is starting to smoke more often. I also noticed a lot of water coming out of the exhaust and the exhaust has a weird chemical kind of smell to it.
It runs really good, mileage is the same as what I normally get, plenty of power. Last time I checked the compression 3 cylinders were close in compression and 1 was lower. I figured the smoke at startup is the valve guide seals, but it never would smoke after the initial startup. No codes. What may be wrong?
__________________
My name is Tony and I'm a Infamousaholic
Current truck - 1993 Nissan Hardbody king cab 2wd , (formerly owned: 90 Nissan Sentra, 94 Nissan Pathfinder SE 4x4, 05 Nissan Titan, 87 Nissan SE-V6 4x4 king cab, 94 Infiniti Q45t & 80 Datsun 310GX ) |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Brisbane AUSTRALIA
Posts: 717
Vehicle: 91 Nissan Navara d21 Single Cab
Thanks: 106
Thanked 68 Times in 59 Posts
|
![]()
theres only one thing if u got water coming out, its your head gasket I would think. Funny smell = coolant being burnt?
Check your exhaust and report back what the residue is like. Then again, im no KA expert. They got all funny hoopla compared to teh z24 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 |
The Post Count Whore
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Sorrento, Florida
Age: 52
Posts: 6,983
Vehicle: 1993 Nissan Hardbody
Thanks: 58
Thanked 770 Times in 719 Posts
|
![]()
I'm going to check the coolant and oil tomorrow to see if either looks weird, the smell from the exhaust doesn't smell like anything I can describe, just smells like it has a chemical odor.
__________________
My name is Tony and I'm a Infamousaholic
Current truck - 1993 Nissan Hardbody king cab 2wd , (formerly owned: 90 Nissan Sentra, 94 Nissan Pathfinder SE 4x4, 05 Nissan Titan, 87 Nissan SE-V6 4x4 king cab, 94 Infiniti Q45t & 80 Datsun 310GX ) |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
Total Buzzkill
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: WA
Posts: 1,266
Vehicle: '90 D21 4cyl 5spd 2wd
Thanks: 135
Thanked 135 Times in 124 Posts
|
![]()
I have to agree with h.stickeye, it sounds like your head gasket is going bad. 260K miles is pretty good though. It's not a bad job at all on the KA.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 |
The Gear Jammer
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Age: 45
Posts: 8,153
Vehicle: 87 D21 SE KC V6 2wd 5sp & 86.5 V6 SE auto
Thanks: 286
Thanked 883 Times in 822 Posts
|
![]()
get one of those combustion gas testers.
__________________
"Im officially lost" - wildbill
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: N.E. Kansas
Posts: 288
Vehicle: 1990 Nissan Hardbody
Thanks: 0
Thanked 19 Times in 19 Posts
|
![]()
Autozone loans a "block tester" kit out, but make sure to get the $$ needed fluid. Mine gave the fluid for free! :-)
__________________
Original owner
1990 Nissan Hardbody, Aztec Red Standard cab, 4x4, KA24E, 5-speed Intentionally near-stock ![]() Mods: Second OEM horn, stereo/speakers/sub, mud and snow tires, HD trailer hitch (cat 3+), liquid bed liner, G1W dashcam Definitely not for sale! ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Hot Arizona
Posts: 264
Vehicle: 2004 Frontier
Thanks: 0
Thanked 26 Times in 22 Posts
|
![]()
All engines produce water as part of the combustion process. However, within a few minutes the exhaust temperatures keep this as water vapor, so isn't visible. So if water continues to come out of tailpipe, and coolant level drops, then coolant leaking into combustion chamber. The chemical smell likely could be ethylene glycol from the coolant, or partially-burned ethylene glycol.
__________________
2004 Frontier King Cab (2WD, 5-speed, 4-cylinder, 98.5K), 1998 Frontier regular cab (2WD, 5-speed, 4-cylinder 225K), 1988 Mazda B2200 (2WD, 5-speed, 4-cylinder, 214K), 1971 VW Convertible (140K), 2005 Yukon (180K), 1970 VW (260+K)
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
The Post Count Whore
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Sorrento, Florida
Age: 52
Posts: 6,983
Vehicle: 1993 Nissan Hardbody
Thanks: 58
Thanked 770 Times in 719 Posts
|
![]()
Just checked the coolant, it was little low, oil looks and smells normal, I added coolant and let the engine warm up, watched a video on Youtube where the guy said you can check for a bad head gasket by looking for bubbles in the radiator, I did not see any. Going to head out to the auto parts store to see if they have that tester, will report what I find later.
With the engine idling I do not see any smoke/vapor from the exhaust but the second I rev the engine it comes out. thanks all
__________________
My name is Tony and I'm a Infamousaholic
Current truck - 1993 Nissan Hardbody king cab 2wd , (formerly owned: 90 Nissan Sentra, 94 Nissan Pathfinder SE 4x4, 05 Nissan Titan, 87 Nissan SE-V6 4x4 king cab, 94 Infiniti Q45t & 80 Datsun 310GX ) |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 |
The Post Count Whore
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Sorrento, Florida
Age: 52
Posts: 6,983
Vehicle: 1993 Nissan Hardbody
Thanks: 58
Thanked 770 Times in 719 Posts
|
![]()
Just got home from auto parts store, I rented the tester.
I did the test first and after about 2 minutes the fluid started to turn yellow, but I think it was because the coolant in the radiator was too high and it was sucking it in contaminating the test fluid. I than drained some coolant out until it was just over the top of the fins and cleaned the tester, I added new test fluid and repeated the test, the test fluid stayed perfectly blue. I wonder if the vapor or smoke may just be due to the valve guide seals getting worse? I also noticed when I am driving I do not see any vapor/smoke, mainly I see when I am sitting still and if I rev the engine. I know when your driving it may be harder to see but I adjusted the mirror so I could see right where the exhaust comes out and I don't see anything while driving. The coolant being a little low may not be related to the water coming from the exhaust, it's not like water is pouring out of the exhaust. I'll keep a closer eye on the coolant level.
__________________
My name is Tony and I'm a Infamousaholic
Current truck - 1993 Nissan Hardbody king cab 2wd , (formerly owned: 90 Nissan Sentra, 94 Nissan Pathfinder SE 4x4, 05 Nissan Titan, 87 Nissan SE-V6 4x4 king cab, 94 Infiniti Q45t & 80 Datsun 310GX ) |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 |
Total Buzzkill
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: WA
Posts: 1,266
Vehicle: '90 D21 4cyl 5spd 2wd
Thanks: 135
Thanked 135 Times in 124 Posts
|
![]()
You might try testing it again first thing in the morning when the engine is cold. Sometimes if the leak is small enough it'll seal itself once the engine warms up and everything expands a little bit.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|