1988 560sel white smoke from tailpipe
 

queen drives a 1988 560sel that she says is smoking white from the tailpipe but not overheating....meanwhile gas mileage is in the tank...

symptom of what??

ideas will be appreciated...

lyle

check ATF level ,it may have a leaking vacuum modulator valve on the transmission.
mak

I think white smoke is a sign of water in the engine, so maybe head gasket or something?

Lyle, white exhaust is a sign of coolant leaking into the combustion chamber(s) as a result of a blown head gasket. Check the coolant reservoir level to verify. If it is a blown head gasket best to replace ASAP before the leak gets worse and possibly destroys the engine.

Couldn't this also be worn valve seals?

Mike, as far as I know worn valve stem seals allow oil into the combustion chambers which results in burning oil and gray exhaust.

White STEAM from the exhaust indicates coolant entering the combustion chamber from somewhere [head gasket/cracked head etc.]

White SMOKE from the exhaust indicates possible ATF [Automatic Transmission Fluid] entering the combustion chamber [Transmission shift modulator valve diaghram leak]

Remember that under certain conditions white STEAM will come from the exhaust due to condensate forming in the exhaust pipes, this usually occurs during cool mornings during humid conditions like after a rain storm and will be most evident during the first few minutes of vehicle operation after a long period [overnight] of non operation, this is normal and will go away after the vehicle fully warms up after a good hard drive down the freeway.