white smoke

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Jun 7, 2001 | 06:43 PM

truckfarmer

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Joined: Nov 2000

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From: Illinois

white smoke

My 97 F150 SC with a 4.2 V6 and 5 speed (just turned 80,000 miles) just started emitting white smoke or steam when it is cold. Today it ran for about 2 minutes before it did it. Am I looking at a blown head gasket or a cracked head or block? I realize that the 4.2 is related to the 3.8 and their cracked head problem. The steam only lasts a couple minutes then goes away. The truck has had the front cover recall done. Any help with this would be appreciated.

Jun 14, 2001 | 11:00 AM

kjsharrer

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Joined: Jun 2001

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white smoke

My 1997 F150 4x4 also is having some problems with smoke. It has almost always made my wheel behind the exhaust outlet black. When it is cold it will let out some white smoke for a couple of minutes. At 60000 the check engine light came on and I had to replace the IAC valve (idle air control- don't have the dealer do it they wanted $210 for 2 seconds work). I believed I may have carbon buildup so I added some fuel system cleaner. Now from time to time when I start the truck it sputters and puts out some smoke. I just added new Bosch Platinum plugs. The truck runs great and will pull anything. Im going to add a diablo chip and superflow exhaust. Just need to figure out the smoke, it burns nothing.