Smoke on start up
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Smoke on start up
I have a 99 F150 with a 4.6L. It smokes when I start it . Not all the time but most of the time. I was thinking it was probably the valves. I was just wondering if this is a known problem with this truck or if there is anything elese it could be?
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Generally speaking, If it is white smoke it is either condensation in your exhaust system or coolant leak into the cylinders, if the smoke dissapears after a short time it is probably normal and probably steam. If it is Blue smoke(indicates oil) the most probable cause on start up is worn valve guides. If it is Black or charcoal smoke then it is a fuel problem--on start up would indicate leaking injector(s).
Last edited by fire105; Mar 20, 2006 at 07:48 PM.
Fleet Owner
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From: Drummonds, TN USA
Dead on - fire!
The color of the smoke is an instant "TELL"
I dissagree that a coolant leak is normal on fire-up though. This is not an SR-71.
Coolant should never leak...
Pressure test the cooling system, or look for bubbles in the radiator upper tank with the cap off of it.
The color of the smoke is an instant "TELL"
I dissagree that a coolant leak is normal on fire-up though. This is not an SR-71.
Coolant should never leak...
Pressure test the cooling system, or look for bubbles in the radiator upper tank with the cap off of it.
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Thanks, Grey Wolf ---but I didnt say that a coolant leak was normal on start up, I was a little unclear, I was trying to say that if there was white smoke on start up but went away then it was probably steam (condensation mostly in cold weather).---------If you had a cracked block---head--or bad head gasket and coolant was leaking into the cylinder then you would have white smoke most of the time and not just start up.
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It usually takes a minute for steam to develope from a cold engine. And once steam starts to emit, it usually does it for several minutes, depending on the temperature and humidity. I'd guess valve seals or rings. Fire it up, then run all the way around the truck and take a whiff next time you get a chance. That'll give you an educated answer.
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If it is rings it is going to smoke most of the time, someone needs to start the truck for you while you stand at the rear and see exactly what color smoke it is, if it is light blue and only last for a short time then it is either valve guides and/or the valve seals. STEVEN D----what did you come up with, what color smoke?
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It only does it once in a while the last couple of days it has not smoked on start up. It only does it on start up and does not smoke any other time. The smoke last for a minute then goes away. I think it was white. I also have an oil leak at the back of the engine, but the smoke only comes out of the exhaust. I have ran into many blowen head gaskets on my bronco II and never considered the smoke being water. Thank you guys for the info. that gives me a couple of places to start.
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From: Georgia
'97 F150 4.6 White Smoke/Rough Idle Start
My 97 F150 4.6, 154K, also has white smoke and a rough idle at start up only. Noticed small amount of rust on one plug when I changed plugs recently and figured it is a water leak problem. I also figured it isn't enough problem to worry about yet.
Then I got to thinking about when the problem first occurred. An old mechanic retired from AF base recommended using one can of I think it was Wynn's friction proofing. I do remember the product is recommended as airtool oil by Snap-On which tells me it must just be turbine oil. The guy told me they used it to prevent sludge buildup. I never had the problem until I used this stuff that one time. I didn't use on next oil change. Might have been a coincidence
Anybody got ideas, maybe the additive affected the head gasket but I don't see how.
Then I got to thinking about when the problem first occurred. An old mechanic retired from AF base recommended using one can of I think it was Wynn's friction proofing. I do remember the product is recommended as airtool oil by Snap-On which tells me it must just be turbine oil. The guy told me they used it to prevent sludge buildup. I never had the problem until I used this stuff that one time. I didn't use on next oil change. Might have been a coincidence
Anybody got ideas, maybe the additive affected the head gasket but I don't see how.
Fleet Owner
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From: Drummonds, TN USA
There is a possibility here that I have been thinking over.
If it gets cold enough - oil will GEL. Any oil around the rings might cause them to stick.
Mine lately when it is real cold will blow oil smoke until it warms to operating temp. Usually only a few minutes.
It just might be stuck rings.
One possible cure might be a thinner oil, like 10 or 15w40, or 10w30.
Cold weather does strange things to engines...
If it gets cold enough - oil will GEL. Any oil around the rings might cause them to stick.
Mine lately when it is real cold will blow oil smoke until it warms to operating temp. Usually only a few minutes.
It just might be stuck rings.
One possible cure might be a thinner oil, like 10 or 15w40, or 10w30.
Cold weather does strange things to engines...
Last edited by Greywolf; Feb 14, 2007 at 10:20 PM.
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