White Smoke
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White Smoke
Got some white smoke coming from tailpipes this afternoon (never happened before that I have noticed). Started right after ignition and went away when son drove off, started again while idling. Weather has been chilly (in the 30s) but not real bad
I noticed extra coolant in the coolant overflow tank (also never happened before) and coolant in radiator is full
just had the oil changed and oil is full, and maybe the mechanic added coolant to the expansion tank, but who knows
so I see a couple of potential options going on
1. A coolant leak just started (went away as my son drove off - he got about 50 yards before I flagged him down and got him back home) and then smoking started again when idling
2. Condensation in the pipe burning off?
3. Always been there on cold days and I never noticed?
4. Something else?
any ideas? Is there an easy way to diagnose
engine is 351
I noticed extra coolant in the coolant overflow tank (also never happened before) and coolant in radiator is full
just had the oil changed and oil is full, and maybe the mechanic added coolant to the expansion tank, but who knows
so I see a couple of potential options going on
1. A coolant leak just started (went away as my son drove off - he got about 50 yards before I flagged him down and got him back home) and then smoking started again when idling
2. Condensation in the pipe burning off?
3. Always been there on cold days and I never noticed?
4. Something else?
any ideas? Is there an easy way to diagnose
engine is 351
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,626
Likes: 78
From: NE Texas
it's rare and unlikely, but if he has power brakes, if the vacuum diaphragm gets perforated high vacuum can suck brake fluid into the manifold, which burns into very white persistent smoke. I once had a BMW 2002 which looked more like a mosquito-fogging truck till fixed.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 116
Likes: 28
From: North Pole, Alaska
Basic typical starting diagnosis while detecting vehicle smoke from exhaust pipes :
Blue Smoke - Oil Related
Black Smoke - Fuel Related
White Smoke - Water/Coolant Related
Like others have posted, keep an eye on monitoring coolant levels....could be just a significant condensation mishap, could be other things causing why.
As also noted, brake fluid and hydraulic fluid will also burn white when hot - not to be confused when not discharging out of exhaust though.
Blue Smoke - Oil Related
Black Smoke - Fuel Related
White Smoke - Water/Coolant Related
Like others have posted, keep an eye on monitoring coolant levels....could be just a significant condensation mishap, could be other things causing why.
As also noted, brake fluid and hydraulic fluid will also burn white when hot - not to be confused when not discharging out of exhaust though.
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