Iconoclast

iTrader: (1)

I have a 92 LS400 with 160k miles. Recently I replaced the oil and power washed the lower engine to check for oil leaks and since then I get white smoke when the car idles for a few minutes. I checked the oil level and it was high but appeared to be clean as well. When I rev the engine smoke really begins to pour out, and it is not blue or black that would indicate a fuel or oil leak.

The smoke also comes from the passenger side of the engine compartment, and it really seems to increase when the engine makes a slight hissing or whining noise. I am thinking it might be power steering fluid, and I need to replace the power steering valve, but any help here would be welcome.

acidfire52

Is it smoke or steam? Wonder if you somehow got some water in the oil pan. Mabey drain it out and see what it looks like. If you use a clean container can put it back in if alls wells.

steve2006

If it's white smoke it is normally power steering fluid being sucked into the intake due to a faulty power steering idle up valve,there are plenty of write ups on this problem.

deanshark

I would say all the smoke, engine compartment and exhaust, is power steering fluid. If the ACV is bad then it's just spitting lots of fluid into the intake and burning through the exhaust. When you power washed the lower engine you probably loosened some old PS fluid and now it is burning on the exhaust pipe.

Iconoclast

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the help. Will check the hoses to see if they are wet with PS Fluid, will update as I get more info!