Running Rich or Not (White smoke)

[Crapdaz]

Hi,

When i start the car in the morning i get tons of white smoke from the exhaust (really smelly) but once it warms it's all good.

Curious on whether it's better to run rich or more lean?
and whats the Pros/Cons?

IF THIS HAS BEEN COVERED PLEASE REMOVE THREAD AND DIRECT ME TO RELEVANT THREAD AS I HAVEN'T FOUND IT USING THE SEARCH.

Thanks guys.
Darren

[tinkerbell]

that is either completly "normal" or you have a coolant leak into your combustion chamber (i.e. "blown head gasket")...

i'd be leaning towards "completly normal" side of things since it is an 03/04 Euro

[Crapdaz]

yeh it's normal from the day i had my headers/cat changed.

[JasonGilholme]

condensation

[Chi]

This white smoke, are you sure its not condensation/steam?

[Crapdaz]

This white smoke, are you sure its not condensation/steam?

That is a possibility.
Since i do leave the house between 5:30-6am.

But i also wanted to find out after changing the exhaust system it smells more. This may be due to the fact i have a 200cell Hi flow cat on.
Compared to other peoples aft exhaust, mine stinks hell of alot.

[SiReal]

I get alot of white smoke early in the morning on the integra. and also on the accord, and also on the corolla at home, as well as the civic coupe.

After around 5 to 10 minutes of driving/warming up , its fine.

The smell dies down after that.

I strongly believe it is condensation.

[Crapdaz]

Cool thanks man.

[Chi]

That is a possibility.
Since i do leave the house between 5:30-6am.

But i also wanted to find out after changing the exhaust system it smells more. This may be due to the fact i have a 200cell Hi flow cat on.
Compared to other peoples aft exhaust, mine stinks hell of alot.


Well you pretty much answered your own question with reasons.

If your car isn't burning oil excessively and has terrible fuel economy I strongly believe its condensation.

Or if you are still paranoid take it to a honda mechanic and find out.

[Crapdaz]

Well you pretty much answered your own question with reasons.

If your car isn't burning oil excessively and has terrible fuel economy I strongly believe its condensation.

Or if you are still paranoid take it to a honda mechanic and find out.

yeh i think i have too.

anyways what about performance in running either too lean or too rich?

[aaronng]

When your cat is cold, it is less efficient. That's why you are getting the terrible smell first thing in the morning.

[aaronng]

yeh i think i have too.

anyways what about performance in running either too lean or too rich?

Too lean, you melt pistons.
Too rich, you lose power.
For best performance, roughly 13:1

[Crapdaz]

cool thanks aaron.

You can remove this thread if you think it's useless.

[aaronng]

You can remove this thread if you think it's useless.

It's fine to leave it here in case someone elses installs a high flow cat and has weird smells.