AmandaJT1983

A couple of times I drove my car I've noticed white smoke coming from under the passenger side of the hood (this is opposite of the water/coolant resevior), it's a burning smell (not sweet). It feels like it's going to die in idle, and now sometimes it does die while idling, even when I first put the car in drive and pushed the gas, it dies (sometimes). It has trouble accelarating. The rpms go too high before it changes gears. New coil pack put in a couple of months ago. the check engine light IS BLINKING.

1move

iTrader: (1)

White smoke indicates burning coolant, but if there is a small hint of blue it could be oil. The coolant will smell sweeter, the oil will smell like burning oil. The oil burning won’t cause immediate harm but can down the road. Burning coolant is bad and can cause a lot of issues. Sounds like a head gasket issue from what you described and I think your coolant is getting into the combustion chamber. If the coolant is getting into the oil this can also be a cause and destroy your engine. Avoid driving the car, try and get it scanned see if you get any codes, this will help you determine a starting point.

Hope that helps.

awcjacobs

I would have to agree with 1move, sounds like a head gasket. Trouble idling and car not driving is from a loss of compression. Plus a blinking 'check engine' which is major.
Other signs it is a blown head gasket:
- Oil on the dip stick is a milky white color (might look like a chocolate milkshake)
- Oil in coolant, visible when checking rad
- Loss of coolant but no leaks on the ground
- White/Blue smoke from tail pipes

AmandaJT1983

ALSO! I've been putting water in it instead of coolant for the past 7 months :[ . It is loosing coolant quickly with no signs of it leaking. No leakage in the tailpipe, no milky white oil tip. I didn't check to see if there is oil in the coolant, well water..

awcjacobs

Yea, most likely a head gasket. You will have to have a mechanic look at it.
Yea, water for emergency, but the more diluted the coolant, it loses its boil point temperature, its pH, and lubricant properties. Plus water rusts metal parts.