Engine got in a car accident ) : got a couple of questions

I got in an accident a while back and the frame moved about 1.5 inches and it was $2,000 to fix it. And I mean just to fix the frame...nothing else. As for the white smoke...I think that happens when you are burning a lot of oil. Not sure...I'm prolly wrong. Since you have an 88 it will probably cost more to fix it then the car is actually worth. IMO of course.

Is it smoke or steam? It might be coolant evaporating off of the engine.

It might be cheaper to buy another car..call around and ask a few shops what they think.

i say go buy another car,but if u have the money go for it....

got in a car accident ) : got a couple of questions

hey everyone, last night i got in a car accident...my whole right corner of the car is gone. I drive an 88 toyota corolla fx. Well ...the radiator got pushed back...the car still starts and runs thankfully...but how its billowing out white smoke when i turn it on...is that collant? how bad can this be? how expenisve to fix?. Also does anyone know wats a good price to get my frame and radiator pulled out a bit?

new car def. insurance wont front the money for fixing it

Did you call the police when it happened???? Did you call your insurance company??? I wouldn't spend the money to fix a wrecked 88 Toyota, it would cost more than the car is worth.

ppl...even tho the age and shape my car is in...it still means the world to me...im gonna fix what really needs to be fixed mechanically but leave the body the same way it is. Im gonna use a flashlight as one of the headlights that broke. I just need to know what that white SMOKE is coming from...and where and how muchshould it be to fix it? and im just gonna straighten the frame...any more price estimates? I think the frame went inward about 1.5 inches if not less. I hear junkyards have good prices to do that kinda stuff. Any opinions?

Like I said....it cost me $2,000 to fix my frame and it moved about the same distance yours did. I only paid that price because I knew the guy. Antoher body shop wanted to charge me $4,000.

White smoke: White smoke is caused by water and or antifreeze entering the cylinder, and the engine trying to burn it with the fuel. The white smoke is steam. There are special gaskets (head gaskets are the primary gaskets) that keep the antifreeze from entering the cylinder area. The cylinder is where the fuel and air mixture are being compressed and burned. Any amount of antifreeze that enters this area will produce a white steam that will be present at the tailpipe area.

If white smoke is present, check to see if the proper amount of antifreeze is inside the radiator and the overflow bottle. Also check to see if antifreeze has contaminated the engine oil. You can look at the engine oil dipstick, or look at the under side of the engine oil filler cap. If the oil is contaminated with antifreeze, it will have the appearance of a chocolate milkshake. Do not start the engine if the oil is contaminated with antifreeze, as serious internal engine damage can result.

How did antifreeze get in the oil or cylinder in the first place? The engine probably overheated and a head gasket failed due to excessive heat, thus allowing antifreeze to enter the cylinder (Where it is not meant to be).

Blue Smoke: Blue smoke is caused by engine oil entering the cylinder area and being burned along with the fuel air mixture. As with the white smoke, just a small drop of oil leaking into the cylinder can produce blue smoke out the tailpipe. Blue smoke is more likely in older or higher mileage vehicles than newer cars with fewer miles.

How did the engine oil get inside the cylinder in the first place? The car has many seals, gaskets, and O-rings that are designed to keep the engine oil from entering the cylinder, and one of them has failed. If too much oil leaks into the cylinder and fouls the spark plug, it will cause a misfire (engine miss) in that cylinder, and the spark plug will have to be replaced or cleaned of the oil. Using thicker weight engine oil or an oil additive designed to reduce oil leaks might help reduce the amount of oil leaking into the cylinder.

Black Smoke: Black smoke is caused by excess fuel that has entered the cylinder area and cannot be burned completely. Another term for excess fuel is "running rich." Poor fuel mileage is also a common complaint when black smoke comes out of the tailpipe. Black smoke out the tailpipe is the least cause for alarm. Excess fuel will usually effect engine performance, reduce fuel economy, and produce a fuel odor.

I hit my 98 rolla about 2 weeks ago. pushed the radiator in and the fan was stuck on the intake pipe and therefore would make a loud sound when it tried to spin. Had to replace the hood and bumper and a right head light. It cost me about $500.

You want my honest opinion??????? You need some fucking help. A flashlight as a headlight is ghetto as hell, illegal, and just plain retarded. Like I said before frame damage is something you just don't fix. The car will never be right again. Just get what its worth and buy something newer. The only car I would even waste my money on fixing to that extent would be a car that they only made a few of. Something like an 88 Corolla should be totaled with frame damage. You are still going to have to make the car pass an inspection.

got good news ppl! Ends up the white smoke was just cause i was low on coolant. I add some and the next day no smoke and ever since no smoke! AND i checked the oil...no antifreeze in it. All i did so far was change the battery and the car starts and runs perfectly. Although...it does pull to the left alot cause i have a damaged control arm and probably spindle and bearing but in not sure. I got a frame pull estimate...best one i got in person was $125...best estimate i got over the phone was $50 !! but that sounds too good i just gotta check that place out today tho.

ANd by the way...Mike8431 i know a flashlight is ghetto as hell...thats why my car is called the G mobile...to the max max max
it my look like total crap now but it keeps running and running no matter what.