Help, white smoke from exhaust

1971Ultra · 02-15-05, 07:42 PM

Need advice. Here are some details.

My car has been sitting for about 45 to 60 days while I worked on some fuel issues. In the interim, I poured some Sta-bil in the gas tank.

After I fixed the fuel issue (electric fuel pump) i encountered temperature issues (temperature gauge sky-rocketed after the car warmed and was driven). I thought I traced this issue down to low fuel coolant.

So I poured a little more than a gallon in the radiator, started the car, it appeared to be the fix. Note I did not take the car out for a test drive a at this time. However, I took it out for a drive a few days later. The car started running hot again.

I immediately took the car home, as I sat in my drive way I reved the engine. Each time I did this white smoke billowed out of the exhaust.

I turned the car off then re-checked the radiator. Guess what - about another gallon low on coolant.

OK lay it on me, what do think has happened? Any connection between the white smoke and the coolant or the Sta-bil

By the way this is a relatively new engine

Thanks in advance for your advice.

JOE BYRNE · 02-15-05, 07:46 PM

Im not a certified mechanic but it sounds like a head gasket...beautiful car!

Joe

Nut · 02-15-05, 08:01 PM

I agree. You're sucking coolant into your engine from somewhere, most likely the head gasket(s). Check it checked out by a certified mechanic ASAP before any serious damage occurs.

........ Nut

JOE BYRNE · 02-15-05, 08:05 PM

check your oil and see what it looks like. I would not drive it far for fear of over-heating it again... could make matters worse

Bob Chadwick · 02-15-05, 08:06 PM

This appears to be a pretty significant coolant loss. Check the oil. If milky, then coolant is definitely getting introduced. If not, you still may have a problem.

I'm with Nut. Have it checked out to make sure of what you have.

lucky76 · 02-16-05, 12:34 AM

If you poured water or coolant into the radiator while it was hot you probably blew a head gasket and/or warped a head. A good mechanic should be able to tell which head before taking it apart. This happens some times to the best.

wishuwerehere82 · 02-16-05, 01:20 AM

You have a cracked head or blown head gasket. I have done this before on a Ford 400, cracked head. I remember the little kids running for the hills as I went steaming down the street.

It would not do it if the coolant was low, but as soon as I topped off the radiator it turned into a steam engine.
You are going to need at teardown of the upper end of your motor to find the problem. Since it is only draining a gallon lower, I think your block is probably OK.

Jack · 02-16-05, 01:47 AM

White smoke = burned coolant. I'm with most of the others ... coolant leaking into combustion chamber ... maybe blown head gasket/cracked head/cracked cylinder liner. New build huh ... hmmmm ... If you're really really lucky it's from a poor seal on head bolt threads ... coolant leaking past. If you're EXTREMELY lucky the intake manifold gasket is leaking and is sucking coolant from the coolant ports at each heads' end and across to intake port(s). I cannot see any connection between coolant leaks and StaBil. Even if it's leaking coolant into the CC ... it's not a given there'll also be coolant in oil (milkshake). You must have this taken care of ASAP ... until then, drain all the coolant from system. Aluminum heads are much more sensitive to overheating than iron ... and any burned coolant can quickly etch/hog out the aluminum around the valve seats (BAD!). Seems you have a fairly expensive motor ... what a shame this has happened.
JACK

bradfordsvettes · 02-16-05, 08:17 AM

I agree with what jack just said find out what cylinder and have at least that head checked .If I was you I would do both sides just in case the other gasket has hidden damage.You would kick yourself in the a$$ if the other side went after the initial repair of one gasket. Just confirm it is a head gasket before the tear down

Steve

tx73vette · 02-16-05, 10:11 AM

How new is the engine... Is it still under warranty. You might take the car back and have the people that installed the engine check it out . This might save you some money and headaches too. Good Luck

1971Ultra · 02-16-05, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tx73vette

How new is the engine... Is it still under warranty. You might take the car back and have the people that installed the engine check it out . This might save you some money and headaches too. Good Luck

I purchased the engine from GM dealership in February 2002. I've put probably less 6000 miles on it since. I'm going to have review their warranty. Unfortunately, my install took place in California, I'm now in Arizona.

Also, I checked the oil via the dip-stick and there is gray gunk all over it. So I am praying that it is just a head gasket.

1971Ultra · 02-16-05, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradfordsvettes

I agree with what jack just said find out what cylinder and have at least that head checked .If I was you I would do both sides just in case the other gasket has hidden damage.You would kick yourself in the a$$ if the other side went after the initial repair of one gasket. Just confirm it is a head gasket before the tear down

Steve

Great advice - thanks

Jack · 02-16-05, 08:34 PM

ASAP ... Drain all the coolant and flush the milkshake oil from motor. Have an Expert take a look at the intake gasket and all mating flanges. An Expert can tell if it's a leaking intake gasket. Do Not pull the intake off in a willy nilly fashion ... witness marks might get lost/obscured ... best to let the Expert pull it. The intake may have also leaked coolant into the lifter valley ... mixing w/oil. Leaking intake could have started all this mess and MAY be the only real damage. Hoping against hope, maybe GMPP will warranty after 3 years ... G'Luck!
JACK

JOE BYRNE · 02-16-05, 09:20 PM

As long as you did not overheat too much a head gasket should take care of the problem....let us know.

Joe