Smoke After Winter Storage

[b1gcountry]

I pulled the car out yesterday after ~2months in my St Louis Garage. First off, the battery needed help to start, so I jumped it. I then pulled my truck out from behind the NSX, and I noticed the exhaust was smoking a little. When I got into the car, the check engine light was on, and the car didn't feel quite right. I put it in neutral, and gassed it...got white smoke from both exhaust. I pulled it back into the garage, and started to worry. We have had a wet winter here in St Louis, but other than a little rust on the rotors, I didn't think much of it.

My first thought was that it could be the fuel gone bad-I didn't add stabilizer. After searching the posts, I'm starting to think it might be moisture that is getting burned off. I will probably wind up getting this towed to the dealership and having them figure it out, but what do you guys think?

Thanks,
Tom

 

[NSX-Racer]

Possible 2 reasons:Condensed water residues - harmless, goes away after some miles
Bad head gaskets: can also lead to white smoke from the exhaust. You may check your oil - if it's somewhat white you may have water in it.

 

[nsxtasy]

In addition to the smoke question...

the battery needed help to start, so I jumped it.

It's bad for the battery to get fully discharged (unless you have an Odyssey or similar type battery). You may want to have it tested to make sure it's still okay, so it doesn't leave you stranded when it's least convenient for you.

This is why most folks either use a charger on the battery when the car sits for an extended period of time (preferably an automatic one that shuts off when the battery is fully charged), or disconnect the battery or bring it inside.

HTH...

 

[Doc308]

Although i'm new to NSX's, I can say that this is a very common syptom in a number of models of Ferrari after they've sat for awhile. It that case it is nothing more than water condensation burning out of the cat/ muffler. As has been stated, if that's it, it should burn off with a good warm up and some driving. I don't believe that this would trip off a check engine light--but , as I said, I'm new to these cars and may be wrong on this latter point.

Good luck and let us know what this turns out to be.

 

[NSX-Racer]

Little addendum regarding the check engine light: You may pull the clock fuse (under the front hood, 10A if I recall it right) for at least 10 seconds (engine off) then replug and start the engine - this reset may also solve the running problem.

 

[nsxsupra]

It's bad for the battery to get fully discharged (unless you have an Odyssey or similar type battery).

HTH...

Nsxtasy,

Sorry to highjack the thread. For Odyssey batteries, it is ok for it to get fully discharged?

 

[mystican]

I would have to agree with our friend from Germany...You should not have a bad HG...I have seen them blow because of poorly maintained coolant...Honda OEM coolant is one of the best...and your car just sitting there shouldn't cause a blown HG...unless it was already blown before it was stored...

I agree with the other sentiments...h20 present in the cats could also cause what you are suggesting...run your car hard to burn/boil it all up!!

I usually start my car during the winter and let it idle til its warmed up...

I also recommend the "battery tender" found on the net and or Pep Boys...I use it for my motorcycle and my NSX...excellent results...

Hope this helps

 

[Briank]

You should not have a Check engine light but you can get one because of trying to start with a low battery.

 

[b1gcountry]

First off, I'd like to say thanks to everybody here at NSX Prime. I've had three questions about my new NSX, and every time I have a problem there are like four friendly, and knowledgable people who volunteer to try to help me. I've never gotten anyone being demeaning or anything less than friendly even when I don't know what I'm talking about. Thanks a lot guys!

Here in St Louis, we just got snow last night, so I doubt I'll get the chance to take it out today, but I will start it up when the roads are dry. I've been taking it for a spin every month or so, and I didn't notice anything wrong with the car when I took it out in early January (no head gasket problems that I know of). I didn't think the battery would drain after only two months. When I put it back into the garage Tuesday I did pull the dome and clock fuse so there wouldn't be a drain on the battery. I also read I should pull the alarm fuse. I will do that when I get home. I don't understand why this would cause a check engine light, so I guess I'm missing something there.

If the check engine light is for the battery, theoretically, if I charge it up, the light will go away, right? Is there some way to check the fault code from the car without taking it into the dealer? Would you guys recommend pulling the battery and charging it before I try starting it again?

Next time it is nice out I will replace all fuses, start the car, and pull it the driveway. I'll check the smoke to make sure it is really white-if its odorless, its probably just water, right? If its grey or black, that means I have more serious problems? How long will it take to burn off the moisture when I start running it? If it seems to be getting worse, I'll stop right away and have it towed to dealer. If it gets better, I will take my first trip to the dealer to get the oil changed, and some 30K service. When I have it there I will have them check the battery.

Thanks a lot for all your help guys!
Tom

 

[b1gcountry]

Charged up the battery, and started the car up with no problems. The car smoked a little for about a block, then it must have burned up all the moisture. No check engine light, and no milky oil-Thanks a lot everyone.
Tom

 

[The Kid]

I pulled the car out yesterday after ~2months in my St Louis Garage. First off, the battery needed help to start, so I jumped it. I then pulled my truck out from behind the NSX, and I noticed the exhaust was smoking a little. When I got into the car, the check engine light was on, and the car didn't feel quite right. I put it in neutral, and gassed it...got white smoke from both exhaust. I pulled it back into the garage, and started to worry. We have had a wet winter here in St Louis, but other than a little rust on the rotors, I didn't think much of it.

My first thought was that it could be the fuel gone bad-I didn't add stabilizer. After searching the posts, I'm starting to think it might be moisture that is getting burned off. I will probably wind up getting this towed to the dealership and having them figure it out, but what do you guys think?

Thanks,
Tom

This happened to me a while back and it scared the sh_t out of me. I let the car run for a while and turned it off and restarted it after a while and I ran very well.

 

[AU_NSX]

I have not had this happen to me as the longest I have put the car away for is 3 months whilst OS.

However, condensation in fuel tanks is common. This is why before flying (light aircraft) you check for water in the fuel tank and fuel line by draining from the lowest point into a test tube to see if there is any and if there is you continue draining until it is all gone.

So, I am guessing that it may be the same for cars except there are no fuel tank drain points on a car. Probably because sucking water into a cars engine is not as potentially catastrophic as water ingestion into a light aircrafts engine...

 

[NSX-Racer]

I don't think it must be water in the fuel in this case. It can also be water residue in the intake and exhaust system I guess.

Glad it turned out that well for you, Tom.