What can cause white smoke from the exhaust?

[cnadm]

I have a problem with white smoke coming out of my exhaust.
There is also a very bad smell to it - Does anyone have an idea of what could cause the problem?

Thanks!
Christian Nielsen

 

[ExplorerDMB]

more than likely antifreeze. get behind it and see if it smells kind of sweet

-Drew

 

[UtahX]

Most likely a blown head gasket, crack in the heads.

 

[BrooklynBay]

It might be a good idea to do an engine compression test, and pressure test the cooling system.

 

[cnadm]

Warranty?

Okay – I guess it’s a blown head gasket….
I bought the truck 3 month ago and with 6 month warranty.
To be covered under the warranty I will have prove that the gasket was bad when I bought the truck.
Will this just happen overnight, or do you think the gasket was bad when I bought it?
My wife is the one using it most the time and none of us is pushing it to the limits.

Also, when I bought it from the dealer I was told that the previously owner had a new head put in, so I guess there is only 10.000 miles on the new head.

Thanks again and Happy Newyear
Christian Nielsen

 

[Ranger Al]

chances are they head leaked before he sell the truck to you. Go back and have them fit it if it is under warranty

 

[LBarr2002]

You should be able to get that fixed under warranty. On something like a stock explorer a head gasket wouldn't normally just fail immediately. It could have been rusted from not running antifreeze sometime in the past, rotted away, or just installed incorrectly when the head was replaced.