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92 4Runner white smoke on start solution.

I had a strange problem (aren't they all) with my 92 4Runner which I couldn't find any answers for on the internet so I am posting this in the hopes that it'll help someone else with the same problem. (Cliffs at the bottom).

The power steering pump in my 92 4Runner had been leaking for a while, but it was minor so we just kept filling it up every few weeks when it started to whine. Eventually the truck would let out a big puff of white smoke on startup, but only randomly. Sometimes it would not do it for weeks. I could not fathom how these two could be related.

The smoke worried me so I took it to the dealership and also to a private mechanic and they both told me that the engine was shot. I mentioned the power steering problem but they did not think the two were related. They gave me theroies about how it was burning oil, like depending on what position the valves in the engine came to rest in it would sometimes let oil drip into the cylinder which would then come out as smoke when you started it up.

The worst time was after a movie at the theater, it nearly filled the entire parking lot with a cloud of white smoke.

Eventually the power steering leaked so bad that I stopped filling it up. I wasn't about to fix the pump then because it was winter and I don't have a garage.

Magically the truck stopped smoking on startup and all was good.

Now summer came around and it was time to change the power steering pump. I took it all apart and noticed two vacuum lines coming off of a valve on the pump. When I took them off power steering fluid came pouring out.

It turns out that this valve is there to adjust the engine when you are turning and the engine is at idle. It had failed and was basically letting power steering fluid enter the engine. I replaced this valve (which cost $140CDN at the dealership, couldn't get it anywhere else) and it no longer smokes.

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Cliffs:

  1. 92 4Runner 325,000km white smoke at startup (intermittent)
  2. Mechanics say engine is shot
  3. Due to power steering pump failure, notice that truck doesn't smoke when there is no power steering fluid
  4. Replaced pump and valve that comes out of rear left bottom of pump (when looking at the front). It has 2 vacuum lines coming out of it.
  5. Problem solved!
Reply to
xoltri
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Thanks for sharing your solution! I'll add that it is worth it to diagnose leaks ASAP ;-)

Reply to
Ray O

The only problem this is that oil (and power steering fluid is mostly oil) makes blue or black smoke, not white smoke. There is water getting into the system someplace. Perhaps it is just condensation from combustion, but that seems like there is too much white smoke to explain it.

Anyway, as far as replacing the engine, I see no reason to do this until something bad happens. White smoke isn't it.

If you want to see pictures of white smoke, look at the pictures of Lexington Ave. in NYC from a few days ago.

Jeff

Reply to
Jeff

The power steering fluid in a '92 4Runner will be ATF. Have you ever seen ATF burn in an engine? It will produce smoke that looks like dirty steam.

Reply to
Ray O

White smoke is usually misdiagnosed water vapour or brake fluid burning. Check to see if theres brake fluid usage which maybe a cause, hole in a diaphram leaking into manifild (Dunno if they still do it that way on them)

Reply to
Scotty

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