I haven't the money at this time to fix the problem my engine is having, I read in another forum that white smoke means immediate engine shutdown. My truck is the '99 superduty xlt f350 6.8l gas, it doesn't constantly blow smoke but when I start it up (not all the time, most every time) white smoke does come out at initial start up, that is the only time. I recently bought this truck from the dealership in April with 180k, so the truck is still too new for me to put any money into it. I will have the money in about two months (give or take) to replace the engine but how do I keep it going with out having an engine shut down? Here is more diagnostics I got from Ford:

Cylinder 7 miss fires only, and compression is avg 30psi
pretty sure a head gasket is causing the leak and it is burning oil, as I never see any on the ground ever.

I can afford the oil to keep in it (or any additives) but I plan to let the truck sit for a long time barely driving it because I am afraid the engine will seize or break a cylinder... should I park it and drain the oils? Just the engine? All components? Or dutifully start my truck every day and blow out the carbon?

Thank you!!

 

How thick is the smoke? Is it a slight blue puff? If so, could be the valve stem seals worn out.

 

it is a quick puff and occasionally thick, but the majority of the time it is thin and lasts only a few seconds, I did know about that and I will look into it. Thank you

 

Oh missed that part, yes it is slightly blue

 

I can't speak for your year, but mine's an '05, and a puff or two of bluish smoke on start-up has been normal, since it was new. Typically it will show up after I've moved the truck from one place to another on the driveway.

On the other hand, if its not moved after normal operation, then there's no smoke.

 

ok, thank you... once I get the truck going, there is no more smoke except at a stop sign occassionally but hardly at all. does the lack of pressure have anything do to with the valve steam seals? would this also cause oil burn up too? The ford mech checked my coolant and there are no mixing oils or gas in it (good sign) so i should just keep starting my vehicle every day and maintain the oil?

 

From what I understand, when the seal on the valve stem wears out and the valve is open while the engine is off, residual oil trickles down the valve stem into the cylinder. Not a whole lot, maybe a drop or two or less. Then when you start it after it's been sitting, the oil burns off, hence the bluish white puff of smoke coming out of your tailpipe.

 

Thank you for the information, I will keep an eye on my truck and start it every day.

 

If you aren't losing coolant and just burning oil the motor shouldn't hydo lock. If it's just the one cylinder that is running 30 lbs of compression I would guess that in have a very bad valve problem or piston problem. To check and see if it's a piston problem take off the oil fill cap and with the truck in gear and foot on the brake step on the gas (don't stand in front of the truck). If a lot of oil vapor comes up from the filler cap it's a ring or piston problem (compression blowing past the rings) and it you have little change it's probably a valve problem. If you are going to change the motor just drive it unless it starts to lose coolant.

Denny

 

'04 - exact same thing ^

 

IMO only having 30psi on #7 rules that out and points to a much more serious issue.

Just pulling the plugs and looking at the color will tell you if you have an oil control problem or coolant problem. The cylinder(s) burning oil will leave dark deposits on the plug.

 

The first time I pulled the spark plug there were dark oil deposits on it, I will take off the oil cap and check to see if the vapor comes out... thank you for the information! I will post again after my next diagnostic

 

Same with my 2000. If it is sitting for a day or more and I fire it up and shut if off within a couple minutes, the next time I start it there is a puff of bluish smoke. It doesn't use much oil between changes, so I don't consider it a problem.

However, the low pressure in one cylinder is indicative of a problem for the OP.

 

What is OP?