I am flushing the cooling system. The old coolant was in horrible shape. It was actually a brownish color when I drained it. Now the truck is blowing a little white smoke out of the exhaust. Does this mean it is burning coolant or water??? Is this a sign of cavatation??? I am supposed to take the truck on a trip tomorrow so I would appreciate a quick response.

Thanks

 

So it didn't do this before the flush? When is it blowing this smoke?

 

Its hard to tell from just your post. I would bring extra antifreeze on your trip. Worst case it could be cavitation or a head gasket. Although just changing the antifreeze should not cause it to change. If it is a head gasket or cavitation going a couple hundred miles should not make things any worse. I wouldnt go for a week long driving vacation until I figured it out. I developed a cavation hole on a trip about 150 miles each way, I had just got up to speed on the thruway and noticed the temp rising above normal then fluxuating from hot to normal as I pushed for speed. I stopped after about 50 miles and checked the rad it was low, I thought I mabee over looked something it has never used a drop of antifreeze, I added the gallon I always carry behind the seat and started back down the road, the temp imediatly started to rise, I drove another fifty miles and stopped and put in a gallon of water. Knowing I had a problem, head gasket? I got to my destination, took care of business the started back. When I attempted to start the truck, it cranked about half a rev then locked up and wouldnt crank. I barrowed some tools and pulled all the glow plugs then cranked her over and water shot out of the back cylinder drivers side. I put the glow plugs back in started the truck and drove the 150 miles back stopping every 50 or so miles to add water. Got home pulled the head and the gasket was fine couldnt see anything, I called a diesel specialty shop and he pinpointed the problem for me, cavitation on these always starts at the rear cylinder driver side. Had to pull the engine and have it sleeved. I never kept up with the diesel additives or ph level, it bit me in the ***$$$$ hope this helps!

 

thanks for the replys!! The white smoke was problably always there and I didn't notice it. We have had a lot of rain this week and it is real humid- Maybe that has something to do with it also b/c after I drove the truck a little while the smoke stopped. Maybe water is in the exhausty or something. ANyway- I'll keep my eye on the anti freeze and keep my fingers crossed that it isn't cavitation.

I added the corrrect motorcraft deisel additive so hopefully the problem isn't too bad yet.