Power Loss & White Smoke

[2014Sonic1.8LAuto]

2014 1.8L Automatic 75k miles
First, the history to get to today:

> On a ~4 hour drive the thermostat valve got stuck and most of the engine coolant boiled off; no temp light, but a check engine light came on upon restart
> Had the thermostat assembly replaced
> Started idling rough / bucking (misfiring?) but didn't throw any codes
> Replaced spark plugs
> Idling problem persisted, replaced valve cover because of perceived PCV valve issue
> Noticed some milky oil on the inside of the valve cover near the oil fill but nowhere else
> Rough idle persisted, had the block tested for a head gasket leak and it passed
> Swapped new oil cap and rough idle/bucking stopped. May also explain the milky oil near the oil cap under the old valve cover

Now, after driving for a little while if I try to quickly accelerate (mostly on the highway) it loses power and dumps some white smoke out of the exhaust. Runs fine on back/city roads. The only thing I've noticed is that it was circulating coolant but the radiator fan wasn't on so it might be an overheating issue? I only have a 5 minute commute most days.

Any thoughts would be appreciated before I pay for exploratory surgery. Thanks!

 

[SuperFudd]

To me "white smoke" means water in the exhaust. Only on full throttle or load? I don't know about these new fangled cars but awhile back the vacuum would drop under max power. Maybe a clue?

 

[Admx2]

Same thing happened to me the other day. I was wide open trying to catch the impossible built srt in front of me and somewhere around 100 it started pouring white smoke and lost power till it got down to about 60mph and smoke stopped power back. No check engine light or anything. Since then I’ve driven probably 200miles with no problems. Did you ever figure your problem out??

 

[2014Sonic1.8LAuto]

Same thing happened to me the other day. I was wide open trying to catch the impossible built srt in front of me and somewhere around 100 it started pouring white smoke and lost power till it got down to about 60mph and smoke stopped power back. No check engine light or anything. Since then I’ve driven probably 200miles with no problems. Did you ever figure your problem out??

Unfortunately I sold the vehicle before ever discovering the problem; sorry!

 

[Steve Aulgur]

Okay. So mine does the exact thing. I just realized my t-stat was stuck closed (upper radiator hose cold and lower & heater hoses hot). I replaced the complete housing with the all metal part. Kind a being a chicken about going on the expressway now. Ideas about this. Anyone?

 

[Steve Aulgur]

Any ideas? Anyone?

 

[2005Sonic2012]

2014 1.8L Automatic 75k miles
First, the history to get to today:

> On a ~4 hour drive the thermostat valve got stuck and most of the engine coolant boiled off; no temp light, but a check engine light came on upon restart
> Had the thermostat assembly replaced
> Started idling rough / bucking (misfiring?) but didn't throw any codes
> Replaced spark plugs
> Idling problem persisted, replaced valve cover because of perceived PCV valve issue
> Noticed some milky oil on the inside of the valve cover near the oil fill but nowhere else
> Rough idle persisted, had the block tested for a head gasket leak and it passed
> Swapped new oil cap and rough idle/bucking stopped. May also explain the milky oil near the oil cap under the old valve cover

Now, after driving for a little while if I try to quickly accelerate (mostly on the highway) it loses power and dumps some white smoke out of the exhaust. Runs fine on back/city roads. The only thing I've noticed is that it was circulating coolant but the radiator fan wasn't on so it might be an overheating issue? I only have a 5 minute commute most days.

Any thoughts would be appreciated before I pay for exploratory surgery. Thanks!

Vvt solenoid exhast and intake. And knock sensor. I have been having problems since i got it 2 years ago 1.8l auto smh. Does not throw any codes

 

[GeorgeS]

Anyone figure it out having a similar problem

 

[ghosttearz]

My 2015 LTZ 1.4l does the same, I replaced my turbo and it stopped. When I over boost it blows the seals out. I assume it’s the thermostat and throttle body seals for a 1.8 also