Hi, I have a 1999 Dodge Caravan 6 cyl with 144056 miles. When I start it up, it runs fine. But after a few minutes, I see white smoke around the exhaust manifold (radiator side). This engine is pretty filthy with oil, grease, and whatever else. So I can only hope that this smoke is a result of the engine just burning up the oil, grease, etc. I thought it might be coming from the spark plugs, but it's not. Does this sound about right? Is the engine just burning up what's on it?

By the way, this van has been sitting for a while. And I recently replaced the timing belt, water pump, and oil pan. I don't know if this could be related to the engine smoke.

Thanks.

 

I have that same problem with my 96 v10. I recently did the gaskets in my upper and low intake manifold, along with valve cove gaskets. I initially thought it was oil leaking onto the manifold but it looks like its coming from where the two pipes meet. I have no clue what it is maybe someone on this forum does....

 

since you say timing belt that means you have a 3.0. these are notorious for leaky valve covers and cam seals and cam plugs. you MUST get this fixed. leaking oil on hot exhaust manifold can = FIRE!!!

 

Thanks for the responses.

22dodge, this is my brother's van that I've been working on and he has it now. In regards to the white smoke that I saw, it stopped. I will double check for leaks. Is it possible that the smoke was from oil that got onto the manifold while I was changing the oil pan? I will double check regardless. And thanks again.

 

well, oil runs down hill. oil pan is below exhaust so what do you think. now that you add more to the real story, any chance you are a sloppy oil pourer? it's amazing how long the oil will smoke off the manifolds even @ a couple tsp.

 

Touche. I was thinking that maybe while I was changing replacing the oil pan, I got oil on the exhaust . I used a funnel when filling the oil so I don't think that's the cause. I will get the van back from my brother and check the valve covers.

-thomas-