... Now getting white smoke lately, & now noticing coolant temp getting higher then normal at times & heater fluctuates on temp. Engine oil looks good, no signs of coolant contamination. I suspect HG issue but would expect to see signs in oil. Be great to get some opinions on what could be the problem.
Your engine has a bad head gasket. Replace it...that's it. Also clean the IAC for better mileage and power...
Testimonial: "Thanks for your response."
Hi. If you see white smoke out the tailpipe, the engine is running rough and the coolant temp is getting higher and fluctuating. Your engine has a bad head gasket. There is no way the radiator cap can hold back that type of pressure. With the radiator cool and full. As the engine runs, you should witness coolant filling the over flow reservoir. Any questions please write back.
Testimonial: "The radiator feels normal to the touch, no sign of overheating with coolant going in overflow. Not sure If matters but the radiator cap is an aftermarket which has a pressure release valve on top which can be manually flipped while cap screwed down. Its been on truck for several years without a problem. I did flip it during an episode just to see what would happen and a bit of air/pressure sounded but that was it, no coolant came out into overflow, if that helps. I don't think this cap is the problem but just thought id mention it."
The radiator feels normal to the touch, no sign of overheating with coolant going in overflow. Not sure If matters but the radiator cap is an aftermarket which has a pressure release valve on top which can be manually flipped while cap screwed down. Its been on truck for several years without a problem. I did flip it during an episode just to see what would happen and a bit of air/pressure sounded but that was it, no coolant came out into overflow, if that helps. I don't think this cap is the
Thank you.
There is nothing wrong with the type of radiator cap you installed. I do believe it is operating correctly as well. From your first description. You clearly described a bad head gasket. There are three different colors that come out the tailpipe when there is a major issue. Black smoke indicates excessive fuel in cylinder failure. Blueish/gray smoke indicates oil in cylinder failure. White smoke (or steam) indicates water or coolant in cylinder. Your head gasket may only start leaking after the engine warms up. Some will leak when its cold, hot or all the time. A head gasket can fail multiple ways. It can leak coolant into the oil or onto the ground and compression into the coolant. If you are absolutely sure that the smoke is cotton ball white, you have water/coolant entering into the cylinder. There are only a hand full of ways water/coolant can get into the cylinder. Through a damaged head gasket, cracked cylinder wall, damaged head and water in the fuel line. Water in the fuel will ruin fuel injectors and usually stall the engine. But if you want evidence before pulling the head. You can buy a kit that works great. Look for a Combustion leak tester kit. Make sure you lower the coolant level first. If coolant enters the tester instead of the gas it will ruin the test. You can also pull and inspect the spark plugs. If this is a "Water in Fuel" issue. All the spark plugs will have a white cake material stuck on the electrodes. If coolant is entering the combustion chamber from another source. Only one spark plug will have this white cake build up on it. Also you can perform a coolant pressure test. But FYI, air is thinner than water. So a pressure test may pass where a combustion in coolant test may fail. Please write back if I can be of anymore assistance. Good Luck.
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SOURCE: white smoke
The smoke must come from a coolant leak close to the radiator, or a fin crack in the radiator itself. Check all hoses and clamps, idle hot and look for smoke. You may have a heater core corrosion issue, watch close for coolant leaks on the floor mats inside, all of this may be connected and look for leaks where you park. Just a small amount can produce smoke, open the hood when it smokes and look.
SOURCE: White smoke coming out of exhaust even when engine is warmed up.
on the 3.8 ussaualy not the head gasket but the upper intake gasket . antifreeze leaks inside intake and into the cylinder. very common. the new gaskets are much thicker.or the plastic plenum the black plastic part on top of the engine goes bad around the water inlet and need to be replaced . when i do either job itell the person to replace both at same time saves money and headaches in the near future. hopes this helps .....and cost for a shop to do this $1100 to $1500
SOURCE: 2001 chevy s10 6 cylinder,vortec engine loosing coolant
Check to see if the lower Intake gaskets are leaking. Check all four corners, antifreeze might be leaking from the intake down onto the transmission. This is a common problem, the intake gaskets are plastic.
SOURCE: White smoke and pressure in radiator.
Any sign of diesel in the water ? sounds like head gasket to me and the engine will rebuild ok but have the dealer put in new injector tube sleeves and O seals .
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And just to add, the coolant temp just started to climb above the normal half mark at idle after a drive, never overheated since issue started, so this is a symptom rather then a cause of what ever the issue is, i'm certain of.
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