Everytime i start up the explorer, white smoke has been coming out of the exhaust for a few seconds, to a few minutes depending on how long its been sitting while off. its also a bit rough while this is occurring. what could be causing this? i JUST replaced the head gaskets a few months back

1996 explorer xlt 4.0

 

Are you losing coolant? It might just be condensation from humidity in the air that condenses in the exhaust, puddles, then burns off when you first start it after it's been sitting. I'd suggest you keep an eye on the coolant level and see if it's dropping. Or, if you know someone with a combustible gas detector for cooling systems, you could have a sample tested to see if there's evidence of exhaust in the cooling system.

-Rod

 

coolant is rusty. i did a full flush ( did not use a cleaner) about 3 weeks ago and it seems to be rusty again. didnt look like oil. would a typical parts store or shop have the capability to test for combustible gasses in the coolant?

 

It looks like you may be able to order one through Advance Auto Parts. You're looking for something like one of these links below.

From Advance.

From Tire Tools.

I am not affiliated with either of these sites, I'm just showing you what type of product to look for.

-Rod

 

Also forgot to mention that i can smell burning oil coming from under the hood, and can sometimes even see oil smoke coming out from the hood after longer drives.

 

Have you checked for the source of the oil leak? It could be something simple and obvious like a valve cover gasket, completely unrelated to a head gasket.

-Rod

 

you need to look into the oil burning a little closer.... If you are loosing coolant level, i would pour a bottle of head gasket sealer into the top radiator hose and drive around for 20 minutes. That will fix the water problems, then you can concentrate on the oil problem... Use the copper stuff, it mixes with your antifreeze, and it works great.

 

Bar's Leaks Liquid Copper Block Sealer

 

Bought a bottle of liquid copper. i'll let everyone know how it goes. i took the explorer to the shop to get tested for combustible gasses, and somehow i wasnt seeing much white smoke afterwards, so im not sure exactly whats goin on here. but i will keep this updated, as i have never actually seen a testimonial of a product like this working.

 

The liquid copper seemed to have worked after using it, the white smoke stopped almost immediately. However about an hour ago i was driving for work and noticed the car was running odd (idling fast) and took a look at the temp and it was well above halfway. I turned on the heat to try and cool the engine off and nothing but cool air was coming out. Im waiting for it to cool down so i can do a full radiator flush again and put some new coolant in

 

loosing heat normally means you ran low on coolant... you might just need to add a quart... i used the copper seal a couple times with VERY good luck.. one time it did plug the small vent hole in the thermostat. Truck would try to overheat, then jump back to normall.. Acted like thermostat problem. I had to take the thermostat out and take the little ball out of the vent hole and reinstall. (plugged with copper sealer). Works great for the last 2 years.

 

I did another full system flush and replaced the thermostat and am still having the same issue. i'll be picking up a new water pump tomorrow to see if that will solve the issue. any other thoughts? im just afraid this copper seal has gummed up something because these problems only started when i used it. also, im getting steam out of the exhaust again

 

Will, i have used the copper a couple times with great luck. THink about it for a minute. What whould it "gum up". The only way to get overheating is lack of water, stuck thermostat, bad water pump, or plugged radiator. When you said you have no heat out of the core, i immediately think of low water level. Thats what i had when i had the leak and was using water... air bubble in the heater. The copper seal will plug holes when it sees a differential pressure across a hole. It works on the head gasket, cracked head, and also sees the closed thermostat with the small weep hole as a "leak". It will not plug the radiator or heater core that has a constant flow with no sugnificant differential pressure. I have probalby go 2 years or 30k miles on my F150 since doing the "copper". Heater and radiator work fine...only problem i had was plugging the weep hole in teh thermostat. I left the copper in the radiator for 2 years. It says it will maintain or keep plugging small pin holes that reoccure in the gasket or head. When you flush it out and put in new antifreeze, you can have a leak reoccure that will not be fixed. I cant guarantee what problem you are having, but my success with the copper leads me to believe it is not that.

 

any update on the burning oil ??? is that related to the overheating or has it gone away ?

 

It has gone away, i havent noticed any smell of oil or any smoke coming out at all. seems to be running fine today for some reason, no problem other than a bit stumbly at idle at times but i havent seen much steam from the exhaust, however it is still dripping a bit