Hey there! I was browsing on craigslist for some cars and then I saw this.

2004 Mazda RX8 - 90,000 Miles Only

It has no trunk lid and it says that it has white smoke. I only know of white smoke coming out when you the car is being/after de-flooded.

I know that it'll need compression test but is this a good buy? I'm actually thinking that it's not 'cuz it's too low or maybe that's just me?

(I'm not an 8 driver YET but still searching the one 8)

 

That car is only good for parts, the compression check will not yeild any good news because the engine is done for; likely have an internal coolant leak. Knowing that the seller has no clue about the RX-8, he probably ran the car down and caused that problem himself. If you are planning to flip the chasis, it could be a bargain if you can get it for $500. That's probably how much the insurance company sold it for if it was a salvage.

Keep looking around and read up on the threads in this forum.

 

Yes, if you buy that car, budget for a new engine immediately. Coolant seal failure is causing the white smoke.

 

Is white smoke always a coolant leak, I notice a lot that aftermarket exhaust exhibit white smoke, and especially after a seafoam etc....

Example, if you are part of this group. Healthy engine with a new exhaust an white smoke, just curious.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v...type=2&theater

 

Generally, you are correct. There are other reasons for white smoke. However, in that ad, that owner clearly knows the engine is dead: ..and has it priced accordingly. There isn't really any reason to believe that it was one of the other temporary reasons for white smoke.

 

RIWWP, what are the other causes?

 

Many petroleum products will generate a white smoke, like the seafoam you mentioned. Oil will burn with a grey blue tinge, however if it just cooks off (going from liquid to gas by heat, but not burning) the smoke will be thick white. I had a huge amount of white smoke after a catless flood:



All of those other options clear up quickly however, and wouldn't be a repeating smoke problem.

 

Just strange that I notice it is more prone with aftermarket exhausts. Under normal operation.

 

I could see aftermarket exhausts having more of a condensation and vapor issue, but not "smoke". I mean, a catless 8 with an aftermarket catback will make a noticeable amount more smoke under heavy acceleration than a stock 8, but it should still be faint (instead of invisible), and fairly dark.

 

I was up in frigid N. Hampshire several Christmases ago. Normally my car is parked in a 50ºF garage, but I parked outdoors up there. After a night when the temperature reached 0ºF, the car started right up the next morning, but emitting huge clouds of billowing white smoke with the coolant warning light on. Oddly, coolant level was normal.

This never happened before and has never happened again.