Boog

Crap I forgot about this, I was in Snohomish picking up a bumper at the time.......Someone needs to remind me about meets, I really want to meet you guys.

Hey there, let me know if you plan on separating the F54 block, I might be interested if the price is right.

Checked, no leaks. Thanks for the comment though.

Ok, to clarify previous post, I smell a little bit of coolant, but I guess any at all is bad. Don't have my plug sized socket with me, so I'll check the plugs in a day or two. The oil looked completely fine, standard color with nothing strange about it.

Things I can rule off the list as of right now: 2) Not full on coolant smell, but definitely a hint of it. 3)Have reservoir, no coolant inside. Or, very little. 6)Spark plugs clean, just replaced them last week. Checking dip stick now, will pick up compression tester for this weekend.

Engine actually started running hot near the store and I had to top off the coolant, about 2 cups or so. No leaks. Has been about 10 days since the last time it started heating up.

Took a video. Hope you guys like it. Smoke is pretty white. The real smoking starts around a minute or so. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qli-ZxIO6CE&feature=youtu.be So the smoke smells like normal exhaust, with maybe a little bit of coolant smell. This was a cold start, and after I drove it to the store and let it sit in the parking lot for 10 minutes, it started up with a little smoke for about 30 seconds. It was also popping when I gave it gas, like the cylinder wasn't firing correctly? Went away after a few minutes.

Thanks for the assurance, but I still feel like my car is smoking more than you think. It literally BILLOWS smoke, and leaves a cloud outside my house for a few minutes. It darkens the sun. Maybe I'll take a video to show you what I mean.

Definitely going, sounds like fun. Love Golden Gardens.

Thanks for all the input guys, I am going to read over all the comments again and take everything into account. One question left un-answered: why does the car only smoke on startup? What does it go away with the engine being warmed up? I am almost positive that the leak is heat related, and that something is expanding and slowing the leak with heat. Is this possible with an intake manifold, or wouldn't it be more of a head gasket problem? Again, thanks for all the comments.

Wow, thank you for all the info. Unfortunately, I just replaced all my plugs a week ago so I would imagine they are all relatively identical at this time. I wish I was more experienced or I would have already pulled the head and replaced the gasket. Would I remove my head and take it to a machine shop for that testing you mentioned? I didn't get to buying a compression tester today, but I hope to get it by Wednesday. Again, thank you for the info.

@racerx That's what friends are for, hahaha

@MikeRL411 No I haven't, I'm not much of a engine mechanic yet, does this require head removal or can I do it without? @racerx Planning on buying a testing kit tomorrow, will report back with numbers at some point soon. I figured that might tell a bit more.

Hey guys, have a problem I was hoping to get some input on. I bought my 280z almost 8 months ago, and let me start by saying that this problem wasn't there when I got it. Over the last few months, my car has been smoking more and more on startup. It goes away after it heats up, but it really billows smoke while it is still cold. It also happens if I turn the car off (after it is warmed up), let it sit for a few minutes, and start it again. I believe the smoke is coolant because it doesn't smell like oil smoke and it is white. It also smells similar to the steam from opening a hot radiator. It doesn't leak coolant from the block anywhere onto the ground, but it does go through quite a bit of coolant. I have to add a quart every week or two or the temp will start to creep up while driving or the heater will start to get moody on me. I am mainly looking for a diagnosis, mainly because in a month or two I am swapping in a brand new motor my friend is rebuilding right now, and I just need a diagnosis and possibly a temporary fix for the time being. I love driving her and I don't think I can go without, let alone afford all the coolant. Thanks in advance, happy wrenching. (Additional info: 1976 280z, L28 block, not sure what headit has off the top of my head, but I doubt it would make a difference? Also is completely stock (the engine at least, lololol))

Sweet, well I might need a push start back home, but I'm coming!