Re: Blowing white smoke

["Scott" <hotdownhere@domain.elided>]

Jason,  I had a similar problem that was a leak in the master cylinder.  My
Spider would run fine, then start to choke & sputter, cough out white smoke,
then run fine again.  The master cylinder seal was leaking into the booster
and the fluid was being sucked into the throttle body.
It should be fairly easy to determine if this is the same situation.  Stick
the end of something absorbent  i.e. paper towel into the hole on the
booster.  If it comes out wet, the booster is full of brake fluid.  A
turkey-baster or battery fluid testers work pretty well for sucking the
fluid out, but make sure to change the seals soon

> Date: Wed, 10 Oct 2001 08:54:46 -0600
> From: "Ritchie, Jason" <jritchie@domain.elided>
> Subject: Blowing white smoke
>
> My 1974 Spider has had a problem blowing a cloud of white smoke (when I'm
> not trying to evade the authorities).  It seems to happen on engine
> deceleration.  I've also noticed that the rear circuit of the brake
resevoir
> has needed topped up from time to time.  The vacuum hose to the booster
also
> has some wetness inside of it.  So it appears that brake fluid is entering
> the engine.  My question is what component is actually the problem.  Is
the
> brake booster leaking or are the seals in the master cylinder gone?  I
guess
> that I am not familiar enough with the booster function to make any
> distinction.  Any help is appreciated.
>
> Jason Ritchie
> 74 Spider
> Boise, Idaho

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