Ok, so this car has developed a scary problem. I go out, and crank the car, raise the hood and after about five minutes, the car goes dead with a pop and white smoke comes from the upper part of the engine. It has the 3800 engine. I'm a pretty good do-it-yourselfer and I believe fumes are building up within the engine somehow and igniting. What is causing this and making the car go dead? I can start the car again and the cycle repeats itself. This does not happen when cruising at highway speeds. It runs smooth as silk when on the open road.

 

Hi `Kera, sorry to read about your problem. I hope one of our expert tech can help once they see your post.

How many miles on your Monte ? Any modifications ?
When was your last tune `up ? Plugs/wires/fuel filter etc ?

Do you notice any fluids on the upper part of your engine ?

The more information you post on your problem the more helpful it will be for a member to help you.

Good luck 4-Sure

 

The car has about 180,000 miles on it. No modifications other than those hard vacuum lines on the front of the plenum that crack, and the rubber grommets disentegrate. I replaced those with regular hose. Not really any excess fluids other than the normal oily residue found on any engine. I did watch thd fuel injectors very closely with a flashlight while the engine was running, but no leaks anywhere there either. Tune-up was about two years ago. Water pump and plastic elbows were replaced last year. Crankshaft sensor failed earlier this year and I replaced that. Could a stopped up pcv valve do this? That's about the only thing I haven't checked.

 

Thanks `Kera for your reply & infor...
Is your check engine light on ? Any codes ?
Keep checking back & hopefully one of our tech's will see your problem & hopefully have some advice..

Until then check out a previous thread below > Good Luck
https://montecarloforum.com/forum/ge...lls-out-31052/

 

The white smoke concerns me. That is either coolant or I want to say possibly fuel.

Can you smell the smoke? If it's fuel, my guess is a failing fuel pressure regulator (which is right on the fuel rail).

That is also part of what makes me believe it's the fuel pressure regulator. When those fail, they have a habit of allowing fuel and fuel vapor/fumes into the cylinders, and can cause an issue that when you start the car, the build up is so large it causes the plastic UIM to explode.

If you don't need the car ASAP, order one from RockAuto.com (about $40+a couple bucks in shipping). I believe that out does the price at the local stores.

Best of luck!

 

No check engine lights are on. I haven't had it scanned for codes. Talking about the fuel pressure regulator, starting thd car is fine with no problems. It's the sitting still idling for 5 minutes when first the car goes dead, and a split second later, the pop and white smoke. I can smell the smoke, and I believe it is fuel being ignited. If there's excess fuel in the cylinders while the car is running, wouldn't it just get burned normally? Thank you for any and all ideas.

 

I suggest checking your plugs to see their condition..
If one of the plugs is wet, it maybe weak and not firing 100%.
Good Luck & I hope a member can help you

 

I'll check those plugs as soon as I can. However, the car idles and runs smooth with no misfire. Just 5 minutes into idling, poof.

 

Plugs looked ok. Nothing wet looking. There is a "purge valve" that the vacuum lines are attached to, and when I pulled one of them off, fuel came out. Would that be normal? Also, the fuel pressure regulator looks like it's made into the rail. Does it come apart somehow?

 

On the fpr, its held in with a snap ring. Is the purge valve on the fuel rail or on a plastic tube? If on the tube that would be for the evap, prolly meaning you need a new cannister.