Engine Knocking Over 50mph, Surging Idle, White Smoke

[Plutocracy]

I hate it that my second post ended up being a maintenance question, but here we are. I have an 89 Festy L, automatic, and it might be on its last legs.

On the highway this morning doing about 75 the engine started knocking on me. At first I thought it was just a rough patch of road, since they’re redoing the stretch of 595 between where I work and where I live, but then I started losing engine power and struggling to maintain 55. I got off the highway at that point, and the knocking stopped under 50mph.

When I came to a stop, white smoke was coming out from under my hood. I limped it about a block or so at around 10mph after that since I was close to work anyway.

It’s had a surging idle for a little while now, and I noticed earlier today when I checked the radiator and there’s rust in my coolant. Oil looks fine, topped off, and it isn’t milky. I can’t think of anything else wrong with it that might be related.

I’m afraid to drive it, but it’s my only vehicle. I happen to be very fond of it, too, since it’s my first car (that runs, anyway). Anything I can do to save it?

I'm at work at the moment so replies from me might be slow.

[Damkid]

Did you check if the water pump belt is still on it?

Worst case scenario, you make a WTB ad on here and find a cheap replacement engine, with everyone on here that does engine swaps, another B3 would be cheap and easy to come by

[Plutocracy]

Did you check if the water pump belt is still on it?

I'm more of a computer guy than a car guy. I'm only vaguely positive I know what side of the engine the water pump is on Can you explain like I'm a noob (because I am)?

And yeah, the possibility of needing a new engine has been brought up to me a few times already. I can definitely say that procedure is well beyond my capability, so that'll be an interesting thing.

[Damkid]

The water pump would be on the passenger side of the motor..... Since you're from Florida, there's many members from that state that could possibly be close enough to come by and give you a hand fixing it up, just another idea for you

[Plutocracy]

Well I noticed two belts on the passenger side, I'm assuming the lower of the two is for the water pump? The instructions I found for replacing it made it seem like it was lower on the engine. If so then it was there, and it was moving.

[georgeb]

Sounds like a blown headgasket. Water in cylinder doesn't compress and causes knock. Also white smoke is symptom of blown HG.

[link5186]

Sounds like a blown headgasket. Water in cylinder doesn't compress and causes knock. Also white smoke is symptom of blown HG.

X2. Did you notice any smoke from the tail pipe behind you? There are several members in your area who could help if that's the case.

Sent from the bathroom via crapatalk.

[Plutocracy]

X2. Did you notice any smoke from the tail pipe behind you?

Nah, didn't even think to check.

Nevermind, not going to drive it as it is. Stranded at work, but not going to make it worse.

[Plutocracy]

Doesn't look like I can edit my original post, so here's an update:

I drove it home like an idiot. But, I learned that the problem isn't coming from the engine.

For most of the trip everything was fine, stayed at around 40 off of the highway. Almost home, at a red light, the smoke started really bad again. I popped the hood and got out to get a look at where it was coming from, and as I stepped out I noticed it was coming off of my front driver's side wheel. Which was burning hot to the touch.

If I had to venture a guess I'd say my brake isn't disengaging completely. I'll take that any day over an engine issue.

EDIT: I guess you can only edit if the message is unread. Anyway, the knocking was most likely the bad road, because I didn't experience it at all on the way back when I stayed off the highway.

[Damkid]

You have 30 mins to edit your post after it has been made

As for you saying its hot to the touch, which part? The rubber on the tire or the rim itself?

[Plutocracy]

You have 30 mins to edit your post after it has been made

As for you saying its hot to the touch, which part? The rubber on the tire or the rim itself?

The rim itself, and the smoke was pouring out through the holes in the rim, very little of it was getting back up into the engine compartment. I poured a little of my Cherry Coke (deemed at the time a worthy sacrifice for science) on each rim, and when I poured it on the driver's side front rim it turned to steam instantly. The front passenger side rim seemed warmer than what would probably be normal too.

[skimsucka]

very possible to have a caliper lock up was the car sitting before you bought it? I have had one or two calipers go bad

[Plutocracy]

very possible to have a caliper lock up was the car sitting before you bought it? I have had one or two calipers go bad

Dunno, I'm the second owner, but I never met the first owner face-to-face. He junked it, and I saved it from being put out in the yard.

[drddan]

Stuck rotors, or bad wheel bearings. A little warm is okay, thats normal.
The smoking side has one of those problems, imo.

[kellen302]

Cars are made of smoke, when the smoke gets bored or doesn't like you it runs away, also if you work it too hard with no food (grease and oil)