Antifreeze smell out of the tail pipe when it's running!

[KA3NXN]

2002 Explorer with a 4.6L. Am I possibly looking at a head gasket? There is no smell after I shut her off, and it's pretty strong when running and it looks like steam coming out of the tail pipe even after she's warmed up. She seems to be running pretty well, no loss of power. She does sputter a little at stop lights, but never stalls.

Ideas?

Jaime

 

[TechGuru]

Well when cold the rich smell can smell a lot like antifreeze. You need a good 30 mile drive at 70+ mph to burn and dry the cats and muffler out then smell it.

Best thing is a combustion gas test on the coolant.

 

[KA3NXN]

I have a 40 mile highway drive home and when I get home I don't get the odor at all. It's only when I first start it from being cold.

 

[94Eddie]

`Check the level of the coolant. If it is going down over time then you likely have a blown head gasket.

 

[donalds]

`Check the level of the coolant. If it is going down over time then you likely have a blown head gasket.

I mark mine while hot with a black marker

 

[KA3NXN]

`Check the level of the coolant. If it is going down over time then you likely have a blown head gasket.

It has gone down The other day when I checked it the reservoir was almost completely empty

 

[donalds]

Head gasket time imo
If you have no coolant leaks

That sux

 

[KA3NXN]

The nice thing is that I’m really familiar with taking the engine apart. Last year I had to put a new intake and timing guides. I wish I had done the head gaskets then.

 

[Littleant]

Head gasket. Consider your self lucky that you have the 4.6