High idle RPMs and exhaust smoke?

1996 SUBARU SAMBAR
20,000 MILES • 4 CYL • 4WD • MANUAL
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MATT CROUSE
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  • 2 POSTS
Hello, my mother has been starting the truck once a week to keep the battery charged and today it started to have a higher sounding idle RPMs than normal. Also, producing smoke out the exhaust. It doesn't smell sweet she said so it might not be coolant. I will be able to take a look at it myself this weekend but just was wondering what you guys might think.
May 23, 2023 at 6:30 PM
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MATT CROUSE
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May 23, 2023 at 6:49 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

Matt, what I'm seeing appears to be steam from condensation inside the exhaust and not coolant. This vehicle isn't offered in the US, so I don't have specifics. However, the high idle could be a few different things.

For example, the engine may have developed an engine vacuum leak. Also, there could be an issue with the idle air control valve.

Find out if the check engine light is staying on while it is running. If it is, scan the computer for diagnostic trouble codes.

Here is a link showing how to scan all modules:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/can-scan-controller-area-network-easy

Although I don't have the specifics, I will be happy to help figure things out with you. Let me know as much as you can. For now, I see nothing to think it's a head gasket issue.

Take care and let me know what I can do to help.

Joe
May 24, 2023 at 8:10 PM
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