White smoke on start

[Softballdad]

My 94 Explorer sometime billows white smoke when I start it. It's been doing it for about a month, and the smoke goes away within 30 seconds or so. (It is definitely not water vapor coming out of the exhaust). I have read about the possibility of it being coolant leaking into one of the cylinders and probably meaning a blown head gasket. Also, that would explain the 'sweet' smell I have experienced a few times. So I'm thinking that's my problem. My question is this: If it is a blown head gasket, wouldn't I be low on coolant? I just pulled the radiator cap and it is full. The overflow tank has some in it also. I don't have any problems with overheating, and everything else seems to be fine. Also, it doesn't seem to be running rough, but I have noticed a slight lack of power sometimes. I bought a bottle of Bar's Head Gasket leak fix, and I'm wondering if that might work. Any insight would be great, Thank You !

 

[Wolfie_85]

Check your oil and examine it carefully. Is it "milky"? Look at the underside of your oil cap too, and see if it has any strange, milky buildup. If so, you definitely have a gasket issue, and driving it frequently isn't advisable until fixed. Coolant in your oil sounds bad because it is, and you could cause some pretty nasty damage. You want oil that's a clear amber color (if you keep up on it), and not cloudy.

I'm not big on the head hasket stop-leak stuff, just because I'm not one to add anything to my oil. The other reason is that this is just a band-aid on a problem that could come back. A shop could fix it and do it right once, with a warrenty and give you some peace of mind about it. Or, if you have the skills, time, and tools, you could do it in your garage. It also gives a chance to replace any worn out components while it's apart.

Best of luck!

 

[Softballdad]

I checked the oil and it's not what I would consider to be 'milky'. I think it looks pretty much the same as always. I don't usually go for the stop leak kind of fix either, but happened to see this at the store and thought it might work. My A/C and heater both work fine, it idles fine, and I don't see any fluid underneath where I park.

 

[Bobmbx]

My 94 Explorer sometime billows white smoke when I start it. It's been doing it for about a month, and the smoke goes away within 30 seconds or so. (It is definitely not water vapor coming out of the exhaust).

Is this "smoke" coming from the exhaust pipe?

 

[jd4242]

Probably bad valve seals..not a big issue. You can change them by pulling valve covers, putting compressed air in the cylinder and removing the springs..

 

[Softballdad]

Yes, Bobmbx, it is coming from the exhaust.
JD4242, I have not read anything about it being bad valve seals. I guess I have some researching to do, but everything I've read so far is leading me to believe its the head gasket. I guess I don't know as much as I thought. Can you explain further?

 

[jd4242]

You dont get ""oil"" smoke out the exhaust from a head gasket typically on the ohv.also typically on first gen its a crcked head not gasket..with a gasket you would be getting water in the oil or oil in the water.or as you know water or white sweet smoke typically when its warm and constantly. .you would be getting multiple symptoms. .

Bad valve seals will let oil leak down and build up when the motor is off.once it starst the build up is burnt and you dont really notice smoke after all the build up burns.it does still leak some oil always as well as a slight vacuum leak causing a VERY slight performance lose.

The other thing that cause oil to be burnt is bad rings but it would burn oil all the time and performance would suck..

 

[Softballdad]

Well, that makes sense. But isn't oil burning black smoke? I'm getting white smoke. Also, I'm not having to add oil, which I assume I would if it was burning? The fact that it only happens sometimes is what is weird. It usually does it in the afternoon when I leave work, after it's been sitting all day. But it doesn't seem to do it in the mornings on my way to work. Today on the way up the hill to my house I felt like I needed to give it more gas, and I looked in the rear view mirror and saw it was smoking. Then when I pulled into the driveway I revved it again to see if it would do it again and nothing happened. I guess I'm still puzzled...

 

[jd4242]

It doesnt take much to blow a little smoke at start up..you would need to add oil at some point..or hell even if its water you would need to add it.mine does same thing even under so hard loads..my theory was it sucked more under hard load...but im little puzzled with you with your systems. .and no black smoke you would have a SERIOUS oil leak...

 

[Softballdad]

Both the oil and the coolant look 'fine'. I'm not seeing any 'milky' anywhere. The other thing is that I seem to be adding 2qts of tranny fluid every 2-3 weeks. Everything will be fine, and then one day I will put it into Drive and it just slips. And then once it warms up, its fine. I baby it home and add more fluid. Could this have anything to do with it ? Could I have a leak in my transmission lines somewhere that would somehow make the white smoke? There's no drips underneath where I park.

 

[jd4242]

Yes the vacuum mod on the tranny goes bad and tranny oil is sucked up in the line to the intake..pull the line that goes to the tranny and see if it has oil in it..

 

[Softballdad]

Would that explain the white smoke? And that it only smokes sometimes? Here's my 'Dumb Question'...I haven't spent a lot of time underneath..where is the vacuum mod located on the tranny?

 

[jd4242]

Yes it would..its on the passenger side but is hidden behind heat shield and cats..trace the line coming up from the passenger side of the trans and engine.goes to the vacuum tree.orr just pull all the lines off the vac tree and check them..definitely sounds like your issue. .

 

[jd4242]

And dont worry no question is stupid. .I ask alot of them that sounds stupid but helps us to help you..thats what this forum is about

 

[Softballdad]

OK, well I will start with that. Probably this weekend. So you think tranny fluid is getting into the vacuum line, and then how does it get into the cylinders? And the vacuum line should have nothing in it, correct? Transmission issues baffle me.... I have worked on my cars all my life with my dad so I know some things, but I guess I still have a lot to learn....I really appreciate all your help ! I have found and fixed a few other things through this forum over the 8 years I have had it. It really is informative. Thanks so much !

 

[jd4242]

Yea the tranny shifts are controlled by vacuum. .when the modulator goes bad it sucks oil up the line into the intake where its sucked in with air to the cylinder and burned..very common issue.

 

[Softballdad]

I have been fixated on the fact that everything I've read points to white smoke means burning coolant and therefore means bad head gasket/cracked block etc. I wouldn't have thought one problem had anything to do with the other, but what you said makes sense. Thanks again !

 

[jd4242]

No problem. .hopefully thats all it is..just thank the forum

 

[snoranger]

I have been fixated on the fact that everything I've read points to white smoke means burning coolant and therefore means bad head gasket/cracked block etc. I wouldn't have thought one problem had anything to do with the other, but what you said makes sense. Thanks again !

Burning oil (and ATF) is usually a lighter color with a blue tint. It could easily be mistaken for white when viewed in a mirror.

 

[jd4242]

OK, well I will start with that. Probably this weekend. So you think tranny fluid is getting into the vacuum line, and then how does it get into the cylinders? And the vacuum line should have nothing in it, correct? Transmission issues baffle me.... I have worked on my cars all my life with my dad so I know some things, but I guess I still have a lot to learn....I really appreciate all your help ! I have found and fixed a few other things through this forum over the 8 years I have had it. It really is informative. Thanks so much !

Ill will also add I really appreciate that you have searched, used this forum and fully explained all your symptoms..it really helps others help you and when others come across this post it will help others.to many people dont wanna search or get stuck on info some person that has experience but just not as much with this vehicle and get offended by multiple""dumb""questions from us or stuck on there solutions..

Biggest thing..search, explain and be open to others opinions/knowledge. .""you stop learning, you stop living""