Possible blown headgasket?
Possible blown headgasket? After reading another post on here about white smoke coming out of the tailpipes after he got on it, I realized I am having the same problem. I noticed the other day after taking the car out that I had white smoke coming out of the tailpipes after getting on it. However, when I have driven the car the past day or so, no smoke has been coming out, but I also havn't got on it either, just drove the car to work.
I ran it with the cutout open and didn't notice smoke, but when I capped the cutout and ran it through the stock catback, I noticed white smoke coming out of the tailpipes. I checked the oil, and it doesn't have any noticiable oil leak, nor has there been any leaking fluids under the car where I have it parked.
One thing to note is that the previous owner only ran the car with the cutout open, as the car doesn't have an e-cutout, and me capping the cutout was the first time it has been done. Not sure if that would make a difference.
Does it seem like I am dealing with a headgasket and are there any types of tests I can do to find out? The car was still pulling like a raped ape and its not throwing any codes. Thanks in advance.
I ran it with the cutout open and didn't notice smoke, but when I capped the cutout and ran it through the stock catback, I noticed white smoke coming out of the tailpipes. I checked the oil, and it doesn't have any noticiable oil leak, nor has there been any leaking fluids under the car where I have it parked.
One thing to note is that the previous owner only ran the car with the cutout open, as the car doesn't have an e-cutout, and me capping the cutout was the first time it has been done. Not sure if that would make a difference.
Does it seem like I am dealing with a headgasket and are there any types of tests I can do to find out? The car was still pulling like a raped ape and its not throwing any codes. Thanks in advance.
White smoke is usually coolant. Make sure your not low. Also if its a real bad head gasket you should see bubbles or smell fumes coming out of the radiator overflow cap when off. I would also think you would start to have an overheating problem. How many miles on the car? Might just be rich
I really can't say either way, but I know some in-your-face indicators of a head gasket issue try changing your oil. If there is ANY fluid in your oil, there you go. Also, run your AC, if you have a blown head gasket, it typically smells like fish or mold.
Hope this helps!
Hope this helps!
White smoke is usually coolant. Make sure your not low. Also if its a real bad head gasket you should see bubbles or smell fumes coming out of the radiator overflow cap when off. I would also think you would start to have an overheating problem. How many miles on the car? Might just be rich
Car has 125k on it, i'm hoping its just running rich. I know I can smell gas pretty often at a stand still, so i know it has to be running a little rich atleast.
I really can't say either way, but I know some in-your-face indicators of a head gasket issue try changing your oil. If there is ANY fluid in your oil, there you go. Also, run your AC, if you have a blown head gasket, it typically smells like fish or mold.
Hope this helps!
Hope this helps!
Well I checked the coolant, and it was at the right level when cool, and then when hot. I don't smell anything strange out of the AC vents, nor is the car overheating at all.
I'm still concerned, as there was a good amount of smoke coming out of the tail pipes the other day after I got on it. I haven't got on it since then, and I havn't noticed any smoke coming out of the tail pipes after normal driving.
Is it normal if the car was running rich for the smoke to occur? And if I did have a blown headgasket, would there be smoke always coming out of the tail pipes, or just after I got on it?
I'm still concerned, as there was a good amount of smoke coming out of the tail pipes the other day after I got on it. I haven't got on it since then, and I havn't noticed any smoke coming out of the tail pipes after normal driving.
Is it normal if the car was running rich for the smoke to occur? And if I did have a blown headgasket, would there be smoke always coming out of the tail pipes, or just after I got on it?
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 734
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From: south jersey. again
white smoke usually means your burning some oil, black smoke would be carbon and such. if it was coolant you would notice what appears to be steam, like on a cold morning. condensation which your muffler gets from being driven. sound's like a little blow by to me.
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Changed the oil today, and everything looked ok. Took it out afterwards, and got on it for the first time in a couple days. When I came back in, there was some smoke coming out of the tail pipes as I backed it into the parking space. So I guess i'm just burning a little oil. I guess I need to do a leakdown and compression test. In the mean time, how bad is it to keep driving with blow by? Is it going to destroy my rings?
Last edited by matrik; May 30, 2009 at 02:10 PM.
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Black smoke=rich fuel mixture(burning fuel in the exhaust), blue smoke=engine is burning oil, white smoke in normal amount=CO2 but shitload of white smoke=youre burning coolant. Burnt coolant or coolant leak=sweet smell...
Maybe youre just beginning to burn a bit. If youre temp, oil level, coolant level are all normal and no sign of water in engine oil, I say run it til it becomes worst!
Maybe with all the mileage you have some sort of crap residue in the exhaust!!??
Maybe youre just beginning to burn a bit. If youre temp, oil level, coolant level are all normal and no sign of water in engine oil, I say run it til it becomes worst!
Maybe with all the mileage you have some sort of crap residue in the exhaust!!??
Black smoke=rich fuel mixture(burning fuel in the exhaust), blue smoke=engine is burning oil, white smoke in normal amount=CO2 but shitload of white smoke=youre burning coolant. Burnt coolant or coolant leak=sweet smell...
Maybe youre just beginning to burn a bit. If youre temp, oil level, coolant level are all normal and no sign of water in engine oil, I say run it til it becomes worst!
Maybe with all the mileage you have some sort of crap residue in the exhaust!!??
Maybe youre just beginning to burn a bit. If youre temp, oil level, coolant level are all normal and no sign of water in engine oil, I say run it til it becomes worst!
Maybe with all the mileage you have some sort of crap residue in the exhaust!!??
Launching!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
From: Bridgeport, WV
If your temp isnt getting high and the coolant level isnt low in the radiator then you don't have a head gasket problem. If you had a head gasket blown, you'd definitely see your coolant level had gone down in the radiator.
I didn't even think of that. I don't have a catch can. I'll check the throttle body tomorrow. Thanks!!!
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: reidsville, nc
seein as how youve been runnin it uncapped probably just residue in the cat and further back burning off..ive blown a few headgaskets and they smoke like a freight train and run like pure T ****(my 305 and 95 k-1500) and there right about
