White Smoke - Please Help!

[rossman21]

I have a mercury sport jet xr175 (2 stroke) and it blows a huge cloud of white smoke at initial startup. The smoke goes away after about fifteen seconds (you can see only a small amount of white smoke once the engine starts).

Boat seems to run great once it is warm (white smoke seems to go away)

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Chris1956]

Gee, I always thought white smoke was the engine burning water. Is the white smoke like steam? If so, it sounds like some water is getting into the motor, after you shut her down. See if the spark plugs are steam cleaned (that is they look real clean, like new).

 

[gm280]

I agree white smoke indicates water being burnt or changed into steam. Blue smoke is oil, black smoke is too rich fuel and white smoke is water... JMHO!

 

[Texasmark]

Well looks like it's 3 for 3. Your environment may have something to do with it. Since it goes away that fast, maybe nothing wrong with your engine. If concerned, pull your plugs and look at your piston crowns and spark plugs. All look the same and if so, what do they look like?

 

[rossman21]

Thank you all for your suggestions and help!

Pulled the plugs (can't see the tops of the pistons) - they are black. I would not say they are dry or oily - maybe just slightly damp. They are definitely not "steam cleaned"

Changed the spark plugs, fuel filter and added fuel stabilizer. Still starts with a large white cloud :-(

 

[Sea Rider]

My engine does same, is due to water condensation inside engine. Smokes as a Chinese when first cold start, then stops when engine is hot. If you live in areas thar are humid expect that to happen.

Happy Boating

 

[MTboatguy]

Pretty common in high humidity areas, I was stationed in Hawaii for several years and all of our motors blew white when we first started them up, then they stopped and ran just fine. Had the same thing happen when I did a stint in South Louisiana white "smoke" every time we started a motor, happens in your car as well.

 

[rossman21]

Thank you so much for making me feel so much better!!!

I am in Maryland and recently it has been very very humid. I bought the boat in April and the first two times I took it out the temps were in the 60s and she did not smoke. Now that it is in the 80s and 90s she smokes really bad at startup.

Thanks again!!! I am gonna take her out tomorrow and not worry