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MG MGB Technical - start up smoke

my b is running like a clock. Today however it smoked white on start up . Could it be wet sumping cause it sat for a few days? it doesnt bun any oil to speak od and never smoked on start up before. thanks ,Doug
dd doug46chief

Doug. Oil burns blue (as a rule), rich mixture burns black, white could be water (steam) and if you are very unlucky you may have a leaky head gasket letting water into the cylinders.

Check the water level isn't dropping and if you remove the cap and you see bubbles when the engine is running it is bad news.

Tony
Tony Oliver

Sounds like water in cylinder. Q. 1. Does the car stand outside?
Q 2. Do you have a louvred bonnet? Q 3. Have you got K & N's?
This combination can let water into the inlet manifold. Otherwise you are looking at head gasket. Might be worth torquing the head down.
If there is significant water in a cylinder starting will be laboured as well.
Not sure how possible it is, but the only other thing I can think of is a leaky servo unit, pulling brake fluid in to the manifold. Check the brake fluid level.
It it's water/anti-freeze the sweet smell usually gives it away.
Allan Reeling

thanks to all i will check the head gasket and the brake fluid level. Doug
dd doug46chief

Typically nothing more than condensation in the winter, but it depends on your ambient temperature.
PaulH Solihull

will the plugs look different if there is water getting into the cyl? doug
dd doug46chief

Doug-
If coolant is getting into the combustion chamber, then it's reasonable to expect the spark plug to look cleaner than its neighbors.
Stephen Strange

plugs look good so must be condensation from short runs and climate cahnges. its stopped smoking and i think the ansa exhaust made it leaner and i adjusted the carb and no more white smoke. plusgs are light gray, Doug
dd doug46chief

This thread was discussed between 06/05/2012 and 08/05/2012

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