When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I have an '87 F-250 4x4 4spd. 6.9. I've owned it for about 3 or 4 years now, and just today it started blowing white smoke out the driver side's tailpipe (it has duals). It has I'd venture to say 3 or 4 hund thous miles on it. I take care of her, and now I'm a little scared to drive her. Any help?
Almost forgot, and for about 5 or 10 seconds after I fire 'er up, she'll run a little rough like when you get some air in the fuel system, then after that she'll run fine. Thanks
I am guesing you have a blowed head gasket on the drivers side. (don't quote me on this though) Check your coolant and see if it as droped at all. Also with the engine cold and at idle, take off the radiator cap and see if exhast comes out of the radiator. If you cant tell, pinch off the rubber coolant return line and put your hand over the radiator where the cap goes and see if it builds up pressure fairly quick.(or get a CO2 detector) I would not get the engine warm because when you shut it off, the pressure in the cooling system will push water into the cylinder and it my possibly hydrostatic lock and possibly bend a rod when you go start it again. (dout it, but with this expensive of a motor, I wouldn't chance it) You may also want to check your injectors (far easier to do than a gasket) Im a mech at UPS and seen 5 or 6 of these engines blow head gaskets in about 2 years so it seems pretty common but like I said, (don't quote me on that). I hope this helps
AND DODGE SAYS THEY WAS THE FIRST IN THE MEGA CAB
Last edited by FORD MEGA CAB!!!; Jan 9, 2008 at 06:05 AM.
Reason: grammer
Also, just curious, how much white smoke is your truck pushin out the pipe? Also, is it just when it starts or is it puffing the whole time it is running? Thanks
Well, just checked 'er out, The white smoke didn't start until right after the fast idle kicked off. I really couldn't notice any real anti freeze or diesel smell to the exhaust, although I do think the driver side did smell maybe I'd call it "sweeter" than the pass side. And it's a steady white smoke, even at idle, but while driving (for the short around the block trip I took) it was more than it was at idle. Usually I just have a good little bit of black smoke under load, but it clears up as I settle at a speed. This is completely different and new, and only on the driver side. And for the radiator, w/ the cap off, you can see some white fumes comming out, but the smell of anti-freeze was so strong, I didn't notice any difference. Thanks.