On 4 Feb 2006 09:27:59 -0800, matthew_jamees@hotmail.com wrote:

>Hello,
>
> I have a Honda Civic 94. For the past two days, when I drive 10
>miles from college back to my home and start the car after 15 or 20
>minutes, my car shudders a lot and I see lots of white smoke from my
>exhaust.

This sure sounds like water in the system. I agree with everything the
other poster said. I would add to pull the dipstick and look at the
oil when the engine is cold, or at least cool. If the oil is milky
looking, that is an indication of water in the oil. The water-oil
mixture gets emulsified and looks milky.

If the oil is not milky, then a head gasket leak is the likely
culprit. if the oil is milky, then it could still be a head gasket,
but that also raises the possibility of a cracked block or cracked
head.

If you confirm it is a coolant leak by following the instructions in
the pther post, and a repair is out of the question, then a can of
leak stop is always a possibility. I have had, over many years, good
success with Bars Leak.

Hope one of the replies helps.



Elliot Richmond
Freelance Science Writer and Editor