Smoke Blowing Through The Vents!

Treachery · 10-26-2005, 09:52 PM

If it's not one thing... It's another.. After fixing all the little pain in the ass issues with my '93 GT, i've discovered yet another problem!

At high RPMs at around 5000rpm and under boost (Vortech SQ-Trim), smoke blows through the vents! It does not smell like oil, nor does it smell like coolant- at least i hope so. The coolant looks fine, no signs of engine oil. Idle and behavior of the engine does not suggest a blown gasket.

The smoke blowing through the vents has a chemical smell. It smell crazy glue or something like that, to me.

I checked all the hoses and found no leaks. This only happens when engine RPM is very high at around 5000rpm and under boost. The amount of smoke is not consistent- sometimes a lot smoke blows in at me, sometimes a little, sometimes none.

What could this be?

HoodStrype · 10-27-2005, 02:31 PM

I would try posting under the "Power Adders" section as well. There shouldn't be a lack of guys running Vortechs here or there.

mpj76 · 10-28-2005, 08:28 AM

Does it do it with your climate control fan off also? My guess is that during high RPM's your cooling system is under higher pressure and causing your heater core to start to leak. A leaking heater core will manifest itself itself as smoke coming out of the vents. Adjust your climate control to blow on your windshield only to see if the location of the smoke changes. If the core is leaking, it will fog up your windshield. It doesn't smell like coolant does when you stick your nose to it. Wiping it with a rag will yield a greasy streaks. Happened to me.

Jeff Chambers · 10-28-2005, 12:09 PM

head gaskets + heater core would be my guess on the problem. I've only seen steam once from the vents and it was exactly that, blown head gasket plus a bad heater core. The heater core most likely developed the leak after the head gasket problem over-pressurized the heater circuit.

Gearhead999 · 10-29-2005, 05:58 AM

Heater core. If in doubt, bypass it and see if it goes away.

Treachery · 11-02-2005, 03:00 AM

Head gaskets... NO! DON'T SAY THAT! NOOO!

Coolant appears clean without oil. Changed oil - no water or any other weirdness. My Mustang survived a dynotune consisting of 6 or so pulls and it drives normally with no abnormal shaking.

The heater core is a new one. I've heard that it's real bitch in moving it. I do have air conditioning in my ride.

Does air conditioning play a factor in this?

10-26-2005, 09:52 PM	#1
Treachery Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 38	Smoke Blowing Through The Vents! If it's not one thing... It's another.. After fixing all the little pain in the ass issues with my '93 GT, i've discovered yet another problem! At high RPMs at around 5000rpm and under boost (Vortech SQ-Trim), smoke blows through the vents! It does not smell like oil, nor does it smell like coolant- at least i hope so. The coolant looks fine, no signs of engine oil. Idle and behavior of the engine does not suggest a blown gasket. The smoke blowing through the vents has a chemical smell. It smell crazy glue or something like that, to me. I checked all the hoses and found no leaks. This only happens when engine RPM is very high at around 5000rpm and under boost. The amount of smoke is not consistent- sometimes a lot smoke blows in at me, sometimes a little, sometimes none. What could this be?

10-27-2005, 02:31 PM	#2
HoodStrype Rearview Mirror Haze Join Date: May 1999 Location: Huntsville, Alabama...a.k.a. "HuntsVegas" Posts: 387	Re: Smoke Blowing Through The Vents! I would try posting under the "Power Adders" section as well. There shouldn't be a lack of guys running Vortechs here or there. __________________ 93 lx Notch 01 GT ...the epitome of Murphy's Law

10-28-2005, 08:28 AM	#3
mpj76 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 158	Re: Smoke Blowing Through The Vents! Does it do it with your climate control fan off also? My guess is that during high RPM's your cooling system is under higher pressure and causing your heater core to start to leak. A leaking heater core will manifest itself itself as smoke coming out of the vents. Adjust your climate control to blow on your windshield only to see if the location of the smoke changes. If the core is leaking, it will fog up your windshield. It doesn't smell like coolant does when you stick your nose to it. Wiping it with a rag will yield a greasy streaks. Happened to me. __________________ 91 Coupe: FMS 1 5/8 unqual shorty's, BBK off road X-pipe, Super Duty T5, Pro 5.0 short shifter, 2.73 rear, G3 alt, MSD coil, dist, no smog pump, oil cooler, 195K miles, 14 deg timing, 23 mpg city/29 mpg highway @ 65 mph.

10-28-2005, 12:09 PM	#4
Jeff Chambers Moderator Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Milan, OH Posts: 2,699	Re: Smoke Blowing Through The Vents! head gaskets + heater core would be my guess on the problem. I've only seen steam once from the vents and it was exactly that, blown head gasket plus a bad heater core. The heater core most likely developed the leak after the head gasket problem over-pressurized the heater circuit. __________________ Jeff Chambers 1990 Mustang GT 10.032 Seconds / 137.5 MPH 14-time Street Warrior World Record Setter CRT Performance 2001 Tropic Green Mustang GT - 12.181 / 113.2 MPH 2002 Ford F-250 Crew Cab 7.3l Power Stroke - 17.41@77.2 "There's nothing boring about a small block automatic shifting gears at 9400 rpm!"

10-29-2005, 05:58 AM	#5
Gearhead999 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 1998 Location: Oviedo, FL Posts: 992	Re: Smoke Blowing Through The Vents! Heater core. If in doubt, bypass it and see if it goes away. __________________ "Support our Troops" Dave 1968 Cougar 2004 Thunderbird 2007 F150 Harley-Davidson, SuperCrew 1986 LTD 1997 Ranger 1992 Honda Civic

11-02-2005, 03:00 AM	#6
Treachery Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 38	Re: Smoke Blowing Through The Vents! Head gaskets... NO! DON'T SAY THAT! NOOO! Coolant appears clean without oil. Changed oil - no water or any other weirdness. My Mustang survived a dynotune consisting of 6 or so pulls and it drives normally with no abnormal shaking. The heater core is a new one. I've heard that it's real bitch in moving it. I do have air conditioning in my ride. Does air conditioning play a factor in this?

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