White smoke, no acceleration, sputtering!!!!

Asked by tguessfo Jul 11, 2012 at 03:52 PM about the 1997 Lexus LS

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I have a 1997 Lexus LS400 and it is currently in the shop for repairs, but it has been there for 2 WEEKS!  

First they said it was the EGR valve pipe, which was broken and they repaired.  When I picked up the car, it ran exactly the same.  The car shakes and blows out white smoke that smells like gasoline.  I replaced the plug wires and the spark plugs and it ran better for a while.  But it still does the same thing and I feel as though the current mechanic is giving me the run around.  He called me and told me that he "thinks" the computer is bad and needs to be replaced and it was gonna cost around $1000.  I'm not convinced its the computer.

Any thoughts?

9 Answers

565

too much fuel blows black smoke - brake fluid and auto trans fluid burns white - water makes steam - burning oil makes blue smoke you nead to work out witch one of you fluids are droping in level

2 people found this helpful.
24,445

What did the plugs you took out look like? If the EGR return pipe was bad chances are the EGR was also bad or at least gummed up. Also check if they got all the plug wires back on correctly. If two are mixed it will cause sputtering.

1 people found this helpful.
60,305

White smoke is usually coolant, it is rare (but possible) you are burning brake fluid or trans fluid. Thinking head gasket or intake gasket. The smoke should smell kinda sweet of you are useing antifreeze and not just water. It may smell like fuel becasue coolant wont burn and hindering combustion so excess fuel is leaving the tail pipe. Check your coolant level, also check to see if your engine oil is milky colored.

7 people found this helpful.
80

Replace oxygen sensor or clean it it's dirty and clogged computer can't read it tell your mechanic to go benver for annother sucker.....I got 3 lexus I buy and sell I learned the hard way my first one I practically installed everything new felt like me an idiot had no idea a tiny thing like that hard so much freaking intluece over the fucken brains .other the car go figure dulh asses at Toyota .fucken rata's.i buy Lexus for u people who don't want to miss with them joe 8314286007 or mendoza1912@live.com

3 people found this helpful.
80

Let me know if it helped any one out there also check and clean intake make sure to nice and tight.air Flow controls injectors tells computer how much gas u need oxgen sensor if clogged it can't breath. The word says it all oxygen. Sensor......cars choking ....thank u hope it helps if not I'll buy it

2 people found this helpful.
20

How about BG44W- is supposed to be a miracle- only problem can't buy it anywhere in Canada. Have to buy a kit at $80.00 and have a garage that has a special tool to install it.- please Is there an answer out there?

2 people found this helpful.
20

I to own a 95 ls400 that blows white sweet gas smelly smoke. makes your eyes water when driving . It's likes fog behind me. have had the trans rebuilt. added a suplment to the oil which did stop the smoking but now it's back worse than ever. manchanc is lost as to what it could be. says could be valve guids.posted september 2019

2 people found this helpful.
60

Usually the Power Steering Air Control system develops a leak that casues power steering fluid (ATF Fluid in the LS400) to be sucked into the intake manifold causing poor driving conditions and white smoke. Replace or bypass the Power Steering Air Control Valve and your problem should be fixed.

6 people found this helpful.

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