Rebuilding the head
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From: Adams TN
Rebuilding the head
My truck needs a head gasket and i was wondering if i need to replace the rings or rebuild the head. When i remove the oil cap there is no smoke out of it or any thing and it runs real good. But there are oil droplets out the tailpipe when it is cold. I know the white smoke is from the head gasket when its cold. It only does this for the first couple of minutes when cold then it does not smoke at all. And it seems to be worse when it is below freezing. But would the oil droplets be from the valve guides or seals being toast or the rings?
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From: Glen Burnie Maryland
White "smoke" upon a cold start that lasts for a few seconds is valve guides or seals.
White "smoke" from a cold start that dissipates while the engine warms up more than likely is hot gases hitting the cold piping and causing condensation. And as the piping heats up the "smoke" dissipates. Look at coal fired power plants. They give off lots of "white smoke" but it's more steam and condensed vapors from the hot exhaust hitting the cold stack.
The droplets cold be from the valve guides/seals.
Do a compression test and a vacuum check. If normal then I'd hold off on the head gasket.
White "smoke" from a cold start that dissipates while the engine warms up more than likely is hot gases hitting the cold piping and causing condensation. And as the piping heats up the "smoke" dissipates. Look at coal fired power plants. They give off lots of "white smoke" but it's more steam and condensed vapors from the hot exhaust hitting the cold stack.
The droplets cold be from the valve guides/seals.
Do a compression test and a vacuum check. If normal then I'd hold off on the head gasket.
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From: Adams TN
but when it smokes white it is a pretty good bit of white smoke not enough to hide the truck but it is more than my dads truck. alot more but his has a cat i don't know if that has any thing to so with it.
Could the valve guides and seal be replaced in the truck?
Could the valve guides and seal be replaced in the truck?
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The seals can be replaced with the engine in the truck, the valve guides... no.
Your problem sounds like seals to me but you never know until you get there.
You may wanna do a simple compression test across all cylinders, pay attention to how the psi builds over 6-7 cranks of the engine, as well as the final psi. $20 tester from any autoparts store and its useful.
You could have a shop run a leak down test (more expensive), then they could pinpoint more accurately the source of the problem.
Is it smoke or vapor coming out your tailpipe, with your mention of oil I am guessing smoke but thought I would ask.
Your problem sounds like seals to me but you never know until you get there.
You may wanna do a simple compression test across all cylinders, pay attention to how the psi builds over 6-7 cranks of the engine, as well as the final psi. $20 tester from any autoparts store and its useful.
You could have a shop run a leak down test (more expensive), then they could pinpoint more accurately the source of the problem.
Is it smoke or vapor coming out your tailpipe, with your mention of oil I am guessing smoke but thought I would ask.
Last edited by jwtaylor; Dec 7, 2004 at 07:16 AM.
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I think the first question should be do you loose coolant? An engine that doesn't does
not need a headgasket or have any cracks. Remember for every gallon of gas we burn
we make a gallon of water. When its hot we don't see it but when it is cold it condenses on leaving the pipe and we do. When you have an internal coolant leak in the cold you will hide the truck even when the engine is warmed up until the coolant is gone. As far as valve guide seals they can be installed in the chassis, however the smoke from problems with them is blue and happens after idling. The
vacuum draws the oil down the intake stem and it burns when we step on the throttle.
not need a headgasket or have any cracks. Remember for every gallon of gas we burn
we make a gallon of water. When its hot we don't see it but when it is cold it condenses on leaving the pipe and we do. When you have an internal coolant leak in the cold you will hide the truck even when the engine is warmed up until the coolant is gone. As far as valve guide seals they can be installed in the chassis, however the smoke from problems with them is blue and happens after idling. The
vacuum draws the oil down the intake stem and it burns when we step on the throttle.
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Are you sure those are oil droplets or water from condensation on start up mixing with
deposits in the exhaust system. I've seen a lot of that in the cooler months usually
nothing to worry about. How much oil does the engine take? A quart to 700 miles isn't
excessive. If it runs good otherwise it may be best to follow the old adage "if it isn't
broke don't fix it". Usually looks better in the bank book as well.
deposits in the exhaust system. I've seen a lot of that in the cooler months usually
nothing to worry about. How much oil does the engine take? A quart to 700 miles isn't
excessive. If it runs good otherwise it may be best to follow the old adage "if it isn't
broke don't fix it". Usually looks better in the bank book as well.
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From: Adams TN
Thats what puzzles me i use a gallon a in about a month and a half-2 months. but there is very little blue smoke out the pipe usually none. and when it does it is when i wind it up to shift only. And it has no leaks. When it smokes it is very little barly noticable blue but only when i shift at a high rpm. And the truck runs great plenty of power and it has no blow by. I checked it with the oil cap off and there was nothing blowing out .
what would cause this?
what would cause this?
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seals ~ guides ~ rings...
...you should get a compresson tester as prevously mentioned, $20 or so, simply remove all spark plugs, disconnect the coil wire to distributor wire, screw the gauge in each spark plug hole and have someone engage the igniton for 6-7 cranks, write down what happens....
...you should get a compresson tester as prevously mentioned, $20 or so, simply remove all spark plugs, disconnect the coil wire to distributor wire, screw the gauge in each spark plug hole and have someone engage the igniton for 6-7 cranks, write down what happens....
Last edited by jwtaylor; Dec 8, 2004 at 09:30 AM.