bigbomber5

Hello,
Every 2-3 months I have to refill my engine coolant. There are never any puddles underneath my car. Whenever my car is at full operating temp there is a faint white smoke coming from my exhaust. Any idea what may be going on?

mikh338

iTrader: (16)

sure sounds like a head gasket to me. the white smoke and it eating that much coolant is deff a huge sign. does it smell like coolant after you get out of car? check the oil see if you have milky color in it also.

bigbomber5

I'm not too keen to distinguishing smells just yet, but I tell you it doesn't smell like exhaust should, if that makes 'scents'. haha. It just rolled 120,000 on the ticker so a failing gasket sounds right. On a level from 1-10 and 10 being immediate and 1 being forget about it, where would you say replacing a head gasket would rank?
It's my DD and I like to keep my TA running perfectly, but I won't be able to address this for another week or two...
Thanks for your help

AmDWs6

my brothers 99 z28 is doing almost the same when the car moves no leaks. at stop only a few drops but when you open the radiator it says "Feed me more" not to mention that the extra container is filled up too and gets completely nothing, still no ideas on the cause.
And his oil is just fine.. ...
so let us know what you end up with lol.

Spartan7

iTrader: (7)

Did you check your oil for a milkshake yet? A very small leak will also cause this issue. My truck had a hairline crack in one of the radiator side tanks that did that.

wssix99

iTrader: (5)

There are many causes to this... The first step (especially since you are getting smoke) is to get a pressure test done. Many places will do them for free. If it holds pressure, then it gets fun...

great421

iTrader: (1)

Pressure test the coolant system and perform a leakdown test on all 8 cylinders.

If (during a leakdown test) a cylinder doesn't hold pressure and air bubbles escape at the radiator cap = Head Gasket.

If a coolant pressure test indicates a rise in pressure when the vehicle is idling = Head Gasket.

(Ask me how I know)

wssix99

iTrader: (5)

Or, if the pressure test comes back normal all the way around, it could be a bad pump or several other things.

TrybalRage

I have the same problem, just noticed a white residue around one of the factory crimped heater hose ends, near the firewall. Looks like just a very slight leak.