hi everyone new to forum, i was given an 96 acura rl with a tail pipe smoking problem (white). i checked to see if there was water mixed with oil or vice versa but oil and anti freeze seem clean of either or. changed oil to a heavier weight (castrol hi mileage 20/50), smoking went away now 3 days later smoking has returned. can this still be a head gasket problem ? or valve stem seals ? thanks for any help.

 

I had the same problem with my 96 RL 178K too, blue smoke. I have been using Castrol high mileage 10W-30 the green bottle since 100K. I got the engine fixed for $1000 last year and now it has blue smoke after leaving stop lights. Before it was only smoke (blue) rev at idle after a long period of driving. Hmm, it sounds like they did not do a good job or there might be something new is happening. I think there something with this high mileage oil, I know a few people with RL with 200K and they always using synthetic oil, no smoke. So I am thinking to change to Shell Rotella T6 oil which recommended by a member at acuralegend. I don't know if this a good idea to switch to full synthetic oil since the car has a lot of mileages.

In your case, white smoke could mean a bad head gasket. How bad was the smoke, is it only after cold start up or at idle and while driving too, need more descriptions lol.