TONS of white smoke from exhaust, lacking of power , among other things

[inh]

I guess this all started a week ago when my check engine light came on saying that cylinder 4 was misfiring... THen i started noticing a LOT of smoke coming out the exhaust when i start it up (it continues to spew smoke for the next ten minutes or so of driving) and a lack of low end power. I also notice that under hard acceleration the engine hits 3500 RPM, then slows down to 3200 or so, and then continues on up past 3500 until the tranny shifts. I know some cars do this normally, but mine has never done it before. It seems to lose all power during that 300 RPM drop as well. Oh and finally, i noticed that up around 4k RPM or so while accelerating the whole truck seems to surge and stumble. This just started today.

Any ideas? I'm changing the plugs, wires, and fuel filter in an attempt to fix this, but i doubt its going to fix my oil consumption issue (at least thats what i think the white smoke is...) It's not steam, because it smells like something burning, not car exhaust

 

[Ford_Racing_Guy]

sounds perhaps like a head gasket?
that is what i would determine from lots of white smoke and misfiring.

pull your plugs and look for coolant.

also see if your coolant level is low.

 

[inh]

Thats the plan right now. I'm thinking head gasket as well. Gonna go check and let you know

 

[Lloyd10977]

Yep, white smoke means coolant in the exhaust. You should find one of your plugs fouled with antifreeze when you pull them. A compression test will probably tell you which cylinder, but bottom line is that you are most likely looking at a head gasket repalcement. Let's hope that you don't have a warpage problem too.

 

[inh]

Alright..where to start...

Cylinder 4's plug had NO ELECTRODE.. I'd imagine that could cause firing issues So i replaced that and took it for a drive. Truck felt fine, for the most part. All my lost power was back, especially in the low end. The RPMs still drop at 3500 though...

As for white smoke and burning coolant... Cylinder 4's plug is wet when i take it out, and its water. I was also EXTREMELY low on coolant, which i refilled. THe odd thing is is that half the time it wont smoke. Like tonight, after replacing the plugs, no smoke, and i probably spent over 30 mins driving it. Also, just for kicks i pulled the new plug out of cylinder 4 and it was wet too.. Sounds like a blown head gasket, but its odd that it doesnt smoke consistently

edit: almost forgot. im still gettiing a CEL and the same cylinder 4 misfire code..

 

[BigDakota]

Alright..where to start...

Cylinder 4's plug had NO ELECTRODE.. I'd imagine that could cause firing issues So i replaced that and took it for a drive. Truck felt fine, for the most part. All my lost power was back, especially in the low end. The RPMs still drop at 3500 though...

As for white smoke and burning coolant... Cylinder 4's plug is wet when i take it out, and its water. I was also EXTREMELY low on coolant, which i refilled. THe odd thing is is that half the time it wont smoke. Like tonight, after replacing the plugs, no smoke, and i probably spent over 30 mins driving it. Also, just for kicks i pulled the new plug out of cylinder 4 and it was wet too.. Sounds like a blown head gasket, but its odd that it doesnt smoke consistently

edit: almost forgot. im still gettiing a CEL and the same cylinder 4 misfire code..

You are probably hoping someone is going to tell you its not your headgasket....If there is water in cylinder 4..you have a major problem..I suggest you shut it down and get it repaired as soon as possible before more damage is done to the engine..for example: cylinder wall scarring, busted rings, cracked piston, water in oil causing bearing damage..etc!!

Good luck and hope you get your truck fixed soon!!

 

[tmsoko]

Head gasket - sorry, you now have a project on your hands!

 

[roccov12345]

Can someone give me a HEADGASKET! Good Luck.

 

[Billy177]

my bet is on a cracked head or head gasket. most likely cracked head

 

[inh]

doesn't matter, I'm going to probably just get new heads, have them ported ang polished and then installed