1998 Saturn SW2 White smoke from exhaust disappears when I

1998 SATURN SW2
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SPENCERSNYGG
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Engine Cooling problem
1998 Saturn SW2 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive 120k miles

I just bought a 98 saturn station wagon and found out that it was losing water out the exhaust. I thought this was a head gasket issue, so I shaved the head and replaced the head gasket. I still have the same amount of smoke. Then I remembered that the owner said that "when you turn on the AC, it doesn't overheat". I thought he meant heater, but for the heck of it, I turned on the AC and the white smoke went away immediately. Turned it off and the smoke returned immediately. Any ideas?

Thanks.
Dec 13, 2009 at 9:03 PM
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MHPAUTOS
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HI there, Thank you for the donation, when you did the head did you replace the thermostat, and is the engine running cooler that normal on the gauge?

Mark (mhpautos)
Dec 13, 2009 at 10:21 PM
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SPENCERSNYGG
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I replaced the thermostat, but I don't know what the normal operating temperature for this vehicle is. The gauge reads just shy of the center.
Dec 13, 2009 at 10:40 PM
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MHPAUTOS
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OK, was thinking low coolant temp and a condensation problem , this is quite odd, i will have to give it some thought.

mark.
Dec 13, 2009 at 10:46 PM