Smoke Cloud?
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 1999
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Smoke Cloud?
My 302 when I FIRST fire it up every day emits a large cloud of white smoke. The engine starts first crank everytime and runs great with the exception of this problem. The engine really does not smoke any other time (that I have noticed). Any ideas of what the problem could be? Something in the heads? Thanks for the help.
Oh yea, I also just switched beds on my 79 F150 and have 2 left over gas filler covers and a fairly decent tailgate if anyone needs them just drop me a line.
Oh yea, I also just switched beds on my 79 F150 and have 2 left over gas filler covers and a fairly decent tailgate if anyone needs them just drop me a line.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 1,485
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Smoke Cloud?
The white smoke indicates that you are burning antifreeze. This is usually due to a blown head gasket and should be fixed before the head or block is dammaged. Major fix, but not as bad as it sounds.
Nathan
Nathan
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Joined: Mar 2000
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Smoke Cloud?
the puff of "white smoke " is the ol' trusty indicator its time for some valve seals. Just had mine done about 4 months ago. actually I traded my heads in for a set of good rebuilds, for about $100 ea.. It is a simple procedure and you could probably find someone to do it for no more than $75-$100.
when you shut the engine down,oil that usually goes back down in to the crankcase seeps down into these old valve seals(if there are any left) and when you fire the motor up, the cylinders are filed with a small amount of oil, and *POOOF* you get the early morning cloud!!
you are probably burning up a little oil during normal operation but cant notice the smoke because it is burned of as it enters the combustion chambers ........ good luck!!
SEANSTER 77F150 XLT RANGER 2WD 400 C6
when you shut the engine down,oil that usually goes back down in to the crankcase seeps down into these old valve seals(if there are any left) and when you fire the motor up, the cylinders are filed with a small amount of oil, and *POOOF* you get the early morning cloud!!
you are probably burning up a little oil during normal operation but cant notice the smoke because it is burned of as it enters the combustion chambers ........ good luck!!
SEANSTER 77F150 XLT RANGER 2WD 400 C6
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 125
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From: West Ga
Smoke Cloud?
Ok 2 good opinions, take away the confusion.Next time get someone else to crank it,and stand near the exhaust,when smoke comes out smell it.It will either smell like burnt oil or anti-freeze.If your not sure about the burnt oil smell think of sarting up an old lawn mower and the smell the bluish white smoke it puts off thats burning oil.
But your truck will be a lot stronger smelling.
Anti-freeze has a sweet pungent smell.
I'm leaning toward the valve seals leaking myself,thus oil smell, it's a very common ford problem.Best of luck on figuring out your smoke signals.
But your truck will be a lot stronger smelling.
Anti-freeze has a sweet pungent smell.
I'm leaning toward the valve seals leaking myself,thus oil smell, it's a very common ford problem.Best of luck on figuring out your smoke signals.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 77
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Smoke Cloud?
I agree with the burning oil theory. If it were water from a head gasket or crack somwhere it would constantly "smoke" as the vaccum on the intake stroke would pull the water into the cylinders.
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Smoke Cloud?
Thanks for the tips, I will try having someone else start it today while I wait by the pipe and try to figure it out that way, either way it looks like its time to pull the heads. Thanks again.
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From: Virginia Beach
Smoke Cloud?
I agree with the valve seals/oil smoke,too. You should be able to get a valve job done (since you're pulling the heads anyhow, might as well not just change the seals) at a decent machine shop for anywhere from $75-150 for the pair.
My experience with blown head gaskets is that you normally have more problems than just on start-up, like water in the oil (frothy oil), engine running hot, etc.
My experience with blown head gaskets is that you normally have more problems than just on start-up, like water in the oil (frothy oil), engine running hot, etc.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 1999
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Smoke Cloud?
I agree with the valve seals theory. I've seen that with a couple of my vehicle before. If it were anti-freeze you would have a cracked head or leaking head gasket... which usually causes a lot more problems and it will continue to smoke.
Good luck with it!
SteveT
1980 F-150 4x4 400 C6
Good luck with it!
SteveT
1980 F-150 4x4 400 C6
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 1999
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Smoke Cloud?
Thanks to all, I had a buddy start it while I stood by, the exhaust was "oil" so I feel pretty good about what most of you thougt. I may have mislead you Nathan, when I said white.... its just not black smoke so the best term I could use to describe it was white. Anyway thanks again, I will have the heads done, and that should take care of it either way with the new gaskets.
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 393
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From: Merrill
Smoke Cloud?
yes I agree with the valve seals. also when was the last time you changed your oil? sometimes when the oil is old it breaks down and gets thin which alows it to leak by the seals, even if they are not that bad. on my old truck when ever the old hasn't been changed for a few months it starts to smoke at start up but after an oil change it quits for a few months. and it has newer seals on it.
Scott
mickelsons(No Email Addresses In Posts!)
'98 Contour
'78 F-250 4X4 SC
'69 F-250 4X2
'52 International L-110
I would rather push a Ford than drive a chevy. (like you would have to push a ford. HA)
Scott
mickelsons(No Email Addresses In Posts!)
'98 Contour
'78 F-250 4X4 SC
'69 F-250 4X2
'52 International L-110
I would rather push a Ford than drive a chevy. (like you would have to push a ford. HA)
