VR advice needed

[ladyVR]

Hi guys, as a woman in a man's world, I just wanted to get your opinion on something. My 94 VR was rough starting and blowing grey smoke. Mechanic put in new fuel regulator and replaced split injector o'ring. Car was going like a dream for the first couple of days ...... NOW it's blowing white smoke for a good 3-4mins after starting, rough idles to the point of nearly cutting out and doesnt kick over first start!!! Mechanic wants to replace the coil ??? what else should I prepare myself for... any opinion would be great. Thanks.

[hako]

White smoke can indicate either a head or inlet manifold leak - these can allow coolant to leak into the combustion chamber(s) and when you start the coolant turns to steam and appears as whiteish smoke out the rear- there can be other reasons but this one is the most common. If it is a gasket failure you will also be losing coolant.
You mechanic may have found one or more of the coils have failed which can cause a plug to misfire or not fire and this will cause white smoke out the rear from the unburnt fuel...so maybe he is right.
And it ain't a man's world - I learn't that years ago. I've got no complaints about that.

[ladyVR]

thanks for that. its back with the mechanic today. yesterday, i cleaned out the coolant reservoir tank (it had all brown sticky residue in it) and topped up the radiator with coolant/distilled water because the tank was nearly empty and couldn't see water in the radiator. didn't smoke so much this morning so here's hoping i've done something right!

[hako]

If it's been using that much coolant plus leaving a dirty residue it starts to sound like a head or inlet manifold gasket as mentioned before but you have to trust your mech..
Hate to say it but by cleaning the tank etc you may have destroyed the evidence which the mechanic needs to find the fault however I'm sure you told him exactly what you did.
Hope it all goes well - post back with the end result.

[ladyVR]

got it back from the mechanic ..... i'm not happy cause i told them the engine oil was black and they haven't done anything about it.... i now have a new MAP sensor (something to do with fuel oxygen mix???) but told if it's still blowing smoke it may be the gasket. it blew smoke on the way home, not as bad but it was still there. i've been using the same mechanic for more than years so I trust them and will follow what they recommend. The hubby is now pleading a case for a 4wd.

[hako]

You are now facing decision time!
A 4wd is purely a personal choice - I had a Nissan Patrol and found it totally reliable. The downside was that anything to do with a 4wd costs at least double or more. It's also impossible for most people to change a tyre due to the weight of the tyre.
Good luck with whatever you do - a 4wd for hubby and ???? for you.