Dear Tom and Ray:

I have an '84 Ford Mustang with a V6 engine and 143,000 miles. My problem is that a lot of steam comes out of the tailpipe. Then when I step on the accelerator, water comes out of the tailpipe, and I think it smells like antifreeze. Is this a problem? -- Jose

Tom: Not necessarily, Jose. Water and steam are perfectly normal. Water is a by-product of the combustion process, and when it comes out of the engine, it's hot, so it comes out as steam.

Ray: And if the tailpipe is cool, some of the steam condenses on its way out and dribbles out as liquid water. So that's no problem.

Tom: Losing antifreeze out the tailpipe WOULD be a problem, though. But since smells can be deceiving, you really have to use more than just your nose to make that diagnosis. You have to turn instead to automotive stoichiometry (that's scientific jargon for seeing if you have any less coolant in the car than you had, say, yesterday).

Ray: If you are losing coolant, and it's not dripping from anyplace obvious, then you may have a blown head gasket, cracked cylinder head or cracked engine block -- which cost $400, $1,200 and $2,000 to fix, respectively -- give or take a few hundred bucks.

Tom: But if you're not losing a lot of coolant, you have the option of simply leaving it alone. On a car with 140,000-plus miles, that's probably what I'd do. I'd keep an eye on the coolant level to make sure it doesn't run low and melt the engine. Then I'd just keep driving and start saving for the inevitable repair -- or down payment on a '97.

Changing your oil regularly is the cheapest insurance you can buy for your car, but how often should you change it? Find out by ordering Tom and Ray's pamphlet "Ten Ways You May Be Ruining Your Car Without Even Knowing It!" To order, send (check or money order) to Ruin, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. You can also order online.

© 1997 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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