Hi guys, I hope someone here can help me. I drive my 97 LS 400 like my granda would, nice and lovingly. This weekend as I was coming home, my car began to act up. As was starting from a light, I noticed the car not going as usual. It was as if it was "chocking", so I down shifted and it picked up to normal speed again (not sure if downshifting really helped or it just did it on it's own as I accelerated).
It did it again as I was 2 streets from my house, so I down shifted again but this time to no avail. I sort of coasted to the front of my house and by this time the car was sputtering. Now in fron of my house, I put it in park and hoping to "clear something", I floored it.
It sputtered and spewed out a whiteish/gray smoke from the exaush and then it stalled never to start again. When I stepped out of the car I saw black wet soot on the pavement from the exhaust pipes. I touched and smelled it and it felt more like water that fuel or oil for it was odorless and it lacked the properties of oil, Today I tried to start it again. It cranks but that's about it. Can anyone please tell me what to do? How do I troubleshoot this? I'm pretty handy, so talk to me... Thanks, Pavee- P.s. Three months ago I had an issue with a radiator leak on the reservoir hose intake. Yes, the car did over heat a couple of times, nonetheless, it was minor everytime and I always had spare water. It took me 3 days to get a new one and change it. Not sure if that's anything but I feel it's worth mentioning it.