Blowing smoke suddenly
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 885
Likes: 2
From: Pittsburgh
Blowing smoke suddenly
So I've had the truck almost a year and never had any smoke coming from the tailpipe during starts or otherwise. I recently parked it for about a month while I was slowing replacing vac lines back to the factory diagram. During this time I also did a 2150 carb rebuild and adjusted everything on there. Also threw a new EGR and gaskets on.
I suddenly have what I'd call a medium amount of grayish smoke pouring from the tailpipe, doesn't seem to change/stop after warm-up. Does it have something to do with the new EGR or something else I did, or is it just coincidence?
Also noticed that the temp gauge spiked to almost the highest end this evening after about a 10 minute drive, haven't had time to independently test the temp and the engine didn't seem that hot, but thought I'd mention it in the event that someone thinks they're related. I don't think it could be related because the smoke was about the same level before the truck even warmed up.
I suddenly have what I'd call a medium amount of grayish smoke pouring from the tailpipe, doesn't seem to change/stop after warm-up. Does it have something to do with the new EGR or something else I did, or is it just coincidence?
Also noticed that the temp gauge spiked to almost the highest end this evening after about a 10 minute drive, haven't had time to independently test the temp and the engine didn't seem that hot, but thought I'd mention it in the event that someone thinks they're related. I don't think it could be related because the smoke was about the same level before the truck even warmed up.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,038
Likes: 4
From: South west Idaho
Is the radiator staying full ? That sounds like water in the cylinder or cylinders . Could have a gasket leak in to the engine. If it's antifreeze burning it will have a sweet sorta smell to it. That's the way it was when i blew a head gasket on a car once.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 885
Likes: 2
From: Pittsburgh
The radiator isn't staying full but that's because it's got a small leak. I also would've looked for the missing coolant but unfortunately I can't go by that right now and I've got no time for the rad replacement job until spring.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 355
Likes: 1
From: CNY
Like Jim said it does kinda sound like burning coolant. My '82 F150 had a blown head gasket, although the smoke was more white than gray.
For what it's worth I took all the emissions stuff off of my '82 and the exhaust is always grayish now. Maybe something isn't hooked up correctly/no longer functioning?
For what it's worth I took all the emissions stuff off of my '82 and the exhaust is always grayish now. Maybe something isn't hooked up correctly/no longer functioning?
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 885
Likes: 2
From: Pittsburgh
Well the radiator is one of the problems but the leak is small and I just keep it topped off. I know the radiator itself is a short job but in the spring my plan was to flush all the coolant and replace everything along the way, hoses, thermostat, core etc.
I figured the head gasket could be the problem but was hoping not. Last oil change didn't appear to be anything except really old oil. Guess it's just coincidence that it started after I replaced the other stuff.
If the head gasket is going, could that alone raise my operating temp? Like as long as I keep the radiator topped off it shouldn't be overheating based on that right?
I figured the head gasket could be the problem but was hoping not. Last oil change didn't appear to be anything except really old oil. Guess it's just coincidence that it started after I replaced the other stuff.
If the head gasket is going, could that alone raise my operating temp? Like as long as I keep the radiator topped off it shouldn't be overheating based on that right?
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Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,698
Likes: 7
From: Taxachusetts
Since you're not burning oil (blue smoke), I would "sorta" eliminate the head gasket...unless the new oil manged to dislodge a piece of the gasket near the water jacket. (Unlikely). If the head gasket is old and brittle, it could be going..... A warped head would cause gray smoke.....pull a plug or two and see what they tell you.
Do you have dual exhaust? Smoke coming from one side only?
Check your thermostat for functionality.....replace (if needed) with a 190*
How's the water pump? You could pull the T-stat, uncork the radiator, fire her up and watch for flow....also keep an eye out for bubbles in the coolant.... = cracked/warped head, head gasket going south, etc.
Do you have dual exhaust? Smoke coming from one side only?
Check your thermostat for functionality.....replace (if needed) with a 190*
How's the water pump? You could pull the T-stat, uncork the radiator, fire her up and watch for flow....also keep an eye out for bubbles in the coolant.... = cracked/warped head, head gasket going south, etc.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 885
Likes: 2
From: Pittsburgh
Nope, still the factory single exhaust, and man do I need to replace the gaskets on that as well.
Plugs are brand new, so I may have to put some miles on before they really tell me much. I know what lean/rich looks like on a plug, but what would I be looking for in this case?
Winter is coming and I won't be putting many miles on the truck except in very bad weather, spring will be the time I pull the thermostat, water pump, radiator, etc.
Plugs are brand new, so I may have to put some miles on before they really tell me much. I know what lean/rich looks like on a plug, but what would I be looking for in this case?
Winter is coming and I won't be putting many miles on the truck except in very bad weather, spring will be the time I pull the thermostat, water pump, radiator, etc.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Plugs will show right away. For lean/rich carb adjusting it's important to avoid idling and low speeds, loading the plugs up. For your purposes just a couple miles is plenty. The porcelain will have a green tinge or heavy white deposits iirc.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,399
Likes: 40
From: El Dorado, Arkansas
I didn't see it mentioned what transmission you have but, IF it's an automatic (C-4 or C-6) the vacuum modulator at the transmission could have a hole in the diaphragm.
This will suck fluid out of the transmission and into the combustion chambers of the engine. It will come out the tail pipe as a white or light gray looking smoke.
This will suck fluid out of the transmission and into the combustion chambers of the engine. It will come out the tail pipe as a white or light gray looking smoke.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,698
Likes: 7
From: Taxachusetts
Agree with ultraranger and Tedster9.
The plugs will be pearly white, brandy new and clean looking if she's burning coolant...you don't need many miles for it to show.
Good luck when you tear into her.
The plugs will be pearly white, brandy new and clean looking if she's burning coolant...you don't need many miles for it to show.
Good luck when you tear into her.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 885
Likes: 2
From: Pittsburgh
T-18 4spd so no go for that.
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