sudden cloud of white smoke

toms72camperspecial · #1 (**permalink**) 06-27-2009, 07:38 AM

Hey all,
A couple days ago i was driving my 72 camper special (390) down the highway suprised at the fact that the truck was running GREAT.(not stalling at lights in before warming up) when all of a sudden at around 60MPH the engine started making a loud metallic rattleing sound and spewing the thickest whitest smoke I've ever seen. I immediatetly put her in neutral turned off the key and coasted to the shoulder. the exhaust pipe smelled like coolant so i figured this was no road side fix and called a tow truck.

This brings me to today, I removed the sparkplugs 1 by 1 and inspected the ends. the # 3 and #4 cylinder spark plugs have moisture on them and all the rest seemed fine. so i assume it's the head gasket.(i've never deep repairs on the engine, Kinda scared) but everything superficial (ie.fuel pump, carb, radiator, etc.) has been replaced. also what the hell was that ratteling sound!

thanks in advance!

maxtor · #2 (**permalink**) 06-27-2009, 09:55 AM

Normally thick white smoke is an indication of a bad modulator valve in your transmission and the fluid being sucked into your engine, but you might be having something else going on.

toms72camperspecial · #3 (**permalink**) 06-27-2009, 12:43 PM

Would it Smell like Coolant?

maxtor · #4 (**permalink**) 06-27-2009, 01:11 PM

Pull your transmission vacuum hose off from your intake manifold and see if you see red transmission fluid in the line. If you do, then that is your problem, if you do not, then it is something else.

JSTMoto · #5 (**permalink**) 06-27-2009, 03:46 PM

If he had moisture in 2 cylinders, its most likely a head gasket. and yes head gasket problems do create white smoke from the exhaust.

1. check to see if you have milky oil.
2. check the bottom of the oil fill cap to see if it has any milky oil residue on it.

that'll get you started, either way you're probably looking at pulling the heads to change the gasket and check things out.

JT

maxtor · #6 (**permalink**) 06-27-2009, 03:52 PM

If you have a blown head gasket, you need to look at why? Check your block and head to see if they are flat or warped.
If a blown head gasket is your problem, you will want to install good head gaskets, and torque them in the proper sequence. I would also check the pistons and rings for any damage.

toms72camperspecial · #7 (**permalink**) 06-27-2009, 04:02 PM

no tranny fluid, dry as a bone.

toms72camperspecial · #8 (**permalink**) 06-27-2009, 04:07 PM

i pulled the dipstick and there is a slight milkiness, but then again i killed the engine immediately so it might not of had enough time to mix that much in.

maxtor · #9 (**permalink**) 06-27-2009, 04:15 PM

With this latest information, a blown head gasket is very likely.
Are you going to pull the engine, or are you going to fix it in the truck? If you pull it, it would be wise to do both heads, and check the block.

toms72camperspecial · #10 (**permalink**) 06-27-2009, 05:01 PM

ya see, there in lies the problem, a head gasket is a pain, yes, but what the hell was that loud rattleing? i could fix the head gasket and find a larger internal problem. so im lost and confused.

RapidRuss · #11 (**permalink**) 06-27-2009, 05:02 PM

Well Lloyd that was my first guess also when I first started reading what happened, Vacuum Modulator.. as a matter of fact I bought a cherry 66 impala ss back in the day for $100..from a guy that thought the motpr was toast...I replaced the Mod and drove it back to work the next day...The guys mouth bounced off the ground !! LOL

And that rattling sound you heard when it first happened was the 2 cylinder being rapidly cooled and going dead (No fire) in the hole... Hopefully you didnt hydraulic any cylinders when it went down..

toms72camperspecial · #12 (**permalink**) 06-27-2009, 05:02 PM

BTW Maxtor, thank you very much for being so prompt in helping me.

toms72camperspecial · #13 (**permalink**) 06-27-2009, 05:10 PM

good point RapidRuss thanks, thats a relief, it makes perfect sense.

1969Highboy · #14 (**permalink**) 06-27-2009, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toms72camperspecial

good point RapidRuss thanks, thats a relief, it makes perfect sense.

Or it could be really bad and you could have cracked your block and broke a piston and that was the ratteling, thats what happened with my motor, but never assume the worst, i would go with the head gasket, cuz we also blew that out on the second motor. you should use a mr gasket seal and some liquid gasket (spread it around the gasket to make sure nice seal) and follow the proper way to tighten down the head bolts. When my head gasket blew, there was no milky substance, but when we cracked the block, that was when there was a white milky substance. its never good to have antifreeze in the oil pan....

maxtor · #15 (**permalink**) 06-27-2009, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RapidRuss

Well Lloyd that was my first guess also when I first started reading what happened, Vacuum Modulator.. as a matter of fact I bought a cherry 66 impala ss back in the day for $100..from a guy that thought the motpr was toast...I replaced the Mod and drove it back to work the next day...The guys mouth bounced off the ground !! LOL

And that rattling sound you heard when it first happened was the 2 cylinder being rapidly cooled and going dead (No fire) in the hole... Hopefully you didnt hydraulic any cylinders when it went down..

Yep Russ;

Depending on how much fluid went into the cylinder, he could have piston, ring, bearing and or rod damage, or as 1969Highboy said, worst case scenario is a cracked block. I hope not for his sake.
My best guess is that his heads and or block are not flat, and just replacing the head gasket, is not going to solve the problem.
My suggestion would be for him to have the block and heads surfaced, and what I do is install the head gaskets dry.

Toms: You are welcome.