white smoke (fuel smell) and water streaming from tail pipe

190

Asked by Onja06 Jan 17, 2014 at 12:10 PM about the 1999 Mercury Mountaineer 4WD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

1999 Mountaineer, 5.0L, AWD. 226,000 mi. I have white smoke and water coming from tail pipe. No water in oil or vis versa. Can this be manifold related as opposed to block / heads.

15 Answers

44,705

Is it missing/idling rough? Check engine light on?

29 people found this helpful.
199,905

Is coolant level low or needing topped off regularly? If no then this could be that the weep hole in the lower back end of the muffler is stopped up. Your muffler has a weep hole in the lower back(outgoing) side. Right at the lower rim of muffler. Have seen these get stopped up and cause the naturally occurring condinsation in the exhaust system build up to the point that what appears to be pure water pouring out of the exhaust pipe. If hole is stopped up scrape the dirt off the hole. You will know its open when water comes pouring out of it.

5 people found this helpful.
44,705

If everything is working normal on some vehicles we had to drill the weep holes out on the mufflers to keep them from doing what you describe. Forgot about that dandy.

190

I wish the check engine light was on....lol. but no. yes on coolant being low / needs topping off every time is driven. I also have no heater, which makes sense with lose of coolant. Last time I started it, over heated until therm opened, which told me no coolant in block, and it was losing about 4-6 oz of water per min out the pipe ;0(

6 people found this helpful.
199,905

Remove the spark plugs and do a pressure test on the coolant system. This will cause it to leak and help you find it. If coolant shows up in spark plug hole you have a blown head gasket.

5 people found this helpful.
190

Now, wait. I don't think I'm getting water in the plugs, no symptoms to indicate that. Also, I'm not sure about the blown gasket theory, with blown gasket shouldn't I see oil and water mixed somewhere??

9 people found this helpful.
199,905

Sometimes but not always. If loosing coolant but can't find a leak with white smoke out the exhaust is a sign of a blown head gasket. White smoke is caused by coolant entering the cylinder. Doing a pressure test on the cooling system with the spark plugs out will let you know for sure if coolant is entering the cylinders. Most auto parts stores will loan you the pressure tester equipment so doing the test is free and will give you peace of mind as to whether the head gasket is blown.

6 people found this helpful.
190

10/4, thanks for the sign of hope. Appreciate it.

1 people found this helpful.
44,705

Do as dandy said but lave the pressure tester on it until it goes to zero and then crank it over without the spark plugs in it.If it's in it this will show it.It will blow antifreeze out the cylinders.

3 people found this helpful.
199,905

Another good call tuff4x4. I did not explain how to know its in there. Thanks

90

I have a 2004 mountaineer it's running hot no water in oil but oil smells like gas and the water reservoir smells real strong of gas what's the cause . Intake ?

7 people found this helpful.
20

My 2006 mercury mountaineer is pouring out white smoke from the tail pipe and is idling pretty rough we just changed the thermostat housing because it was leaking coolant but now theres that white smoke pouring out if the rain pipe what could be wrong

2 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

Mountaineer

Looking for a Used Mountaineer in your area?

CarGurus has 104 nationwide Mountaineer listings starting at $3,455.

ZIP:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

1999 Mercury Mountaineer

Review another car

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Gene Arnett
    Reputation
    860
  • #2
    taver91
    Reputation
    570
  • #3
    kbro
    Reputation
    550
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Ford Explorer
2,196 Great Deals out of 62,306 listings starting at $725

Used Cars for Sale

2010 Mercury Mountaineer For Sale
13 listings starting at $7,990
2009 Mercury Mountaineer For Sale
5 listings starting at $5,950
2008 Mercury Mountaineer For Sale
17 listings starting at $5,999
2007 Mercury Mountaineer For Sale
14 listings starting at $3,455

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.