vettenuts

iTrader: (4)

Here's a question. Most attribute white smoke with a coolant leak. However, ran into a situation yesterday where we knew there was a head leak of some kind, still investigating. There was "blue" smoke seen from time to time during start-up and on the dyno when the throttle was released. I have also seen a lot of guys chasing oil leaks due to seeing blue smoke. We also confirmed that Dexcool was not getting into the oil so the leak was between the cylinder and the cooling system.

Does anyone know in no uncertain terms if a Dexcool mixture produces white or blue smoke? It may be a lot of guys are chasing the wrong problem if Dexcool does produce blue smoke.

TS6

iTrader: (41)

Coolant makes white steam (not smoke), if you're seeing blue smoke then you're burning oil. Dexcool does not burn blue, I've seen guys blow HG's using it and it was still white smoke.

John_D.

iTrader: (2)

agreed - any antifreeze produces white.

Oil is generally blue, especially if it's getting around the rings.

Oil leakdown around the valve stems can be more gray than blue though. (classic example is startup on an older sbc after sitting for a few hours) You can pull oil down around the rocker bolts if the heads are ported (bolt holes penetrate into the runner) and the bolts did not have thread sealer on them. High vacuum on throttle-off at high rpms creates a lot of vacuum...

ShevrolayZ28

iTrader: (4)

I'm pretty sure ATF burns white with a blue tint. Spill some on the ground and go at it with a torch if you want to make sure

cantdrv65

iTrader: (3)

Dextron ATF burns white and truly stinks... Ive only seen that happen on vaccuum modulated transmissions however. Modulator develops a leak and it gets sucked right into the intake.

indyboom

iTrader: (11)

atf is white

vettenuts

iTrader: (4)

Update, as it turns out the coolant wasn't leaking so that was not the source of any smoke. But, that's a good thing