Suneet

Allright guys, I'm not sure what this problem is. So I've got an incredible amount of THICK white smoke coming out of my exhaust on start-up, especially when it is cold. The smoke corresponds to how long I've left the car sit. E.g. every morning the smoke is really bad, it smells foul, and it fogs up the entire garage... if I make stops during the day, its not as bad, but if I let the car sit for a while, it gets bad.

I also have a power steering leak. So the first theory is that my flow control vavle, or idle-up-air-control-whatever valve is leaking. I'm pretty sure thats the case, since I've replaced my rack and pinion as well as my power steering pump, and I'm having to fill up a significant amount of fluid every other day, and there is no fluid to be found! So I take it to my mechanic, he disconnects the hose that goes from the PS pump to the manifold, and then plugs it.

Still have a power steering leak. Still have really bad white smoke.

What can it be? Bad catalytic converters?

Another thing I noticed: sometimes, when I'm cruising on the freeway, and I abruptly WOT for a while to make a lane change or to stay awake.. and then let off the gas quickly.. I get a foul smell inside the cabin. I never really thought about it much, and I figured it might be my tires, but I'm pretty sure now that it is not my tires.

I am not getting any CELs. Infact, I don't think I've EVER seen a CEL on my car, and I just hit 192,000 miles. Maybe that lightbulb is gone!

I just dropped the car off at service to replace the flow-control-air-idle-up-control valve on the PS pump, and to get an oil change. (This valve is ridiculous, different dealers call it different things. One lexus dealer called it one thing and then carson toyota said that was from the Fuel INjection system and so now I just refer to it as the all-in-one valve from my PS Pump).

What should I do?

Suneet

Well I just got the car back from my mechanic, who replaced the valve, and it seems like the white smoke issue is gone. I can't believe my engine was burning THAT much power steering fluid to create SO MUCH white smoke. Time will tell though, I'll post an update. I also had an oil change along with that replacement, so that may have something to do with it.

lex94ls400

Hey Suneet,

Where did you have your car replace the valve? How much labor the shop charge you? I already brought the valve but don't know any shop to bring the car to. Let me know.

Thanks.

hgb

The valve simply srews into the side of power steering pump and two vaccuum hose connect to it, takes about 30 minute to replace I did mine about a week ago. Dealer or any shop would replace it for around 50 bucks...hank

Suneet

I got it done at a place called Foreign Affair in San Jose. They only service Toyota's and Hondas, and ofcourse Acura and Lexus. Great place. Tell them Suneet and Raj (my father) sent you.

Actually, I'm surprised you were able to get that done without taking out the pump. They had to take the pump out to replace the valve so it cost around $200. I'm not sure of the exact price since I paid around $500 for the part, labor, and a synthetic oil change + new air filter and some other misc things. So $200 is an estimate b/c the part was atleast $150.