Loads of white smoke on morning startups

[android_proball]

Hi All,

On mornings when I start my car, I usually get the heater going. When I do, I notice my exhaust starts to release white smoke. It usually burns some oil, and smokes out normally. However, I have notice more than a dozen times that as soon as I turn the heater, the smoke loads out. Why? Bad....?


Thanks in advance!

[stevediraddo]

I dont know for sure, but that sounds like a coolant leak

[JoshM]

Are you sure that it's smoke, and not just steam?

[android_proball]

Well, it's smells petroleum-like. I mean, yeah it steams in the morning, like it should, but when I crank the heater, it's just pours out. Fills my driveway

I'm interested in the coolant leak.. How to start checking?

[BurninCB7]

You can buy UV dye at the parts store for $5 or so...

Pour it in there and look around with a UV light or special glasses (also at the parts store).

Worked great for me! I had a bad o-ring on the backside of the block.

... although if the smoke is coming from your exhaust, Your leak could be internal. Is there any moisture/milky colored stuff getting into your oil?

[flakko19]

or check the oil level you might have too much oil
does the smoke continue wen you are driving the car?

[AgentZero]

check all your coolent lines i mean all of them. i had the same problem last week and it was a hole in the coolent hose that runs to the fire wall. i replaced the line and my problem was fixed.

[LivErN]

my old Toyota Pickup 87' 22R was making alot of white smoke in the summer, result blown Head Gasket and Warp Cylinder Head..... No cutoff engine, thats why

[android_proball]

My oils level if good. I check it weekly. No milky residue in my oil either. I will look into the UV treatments. Smoking stops after about 10 minutes of being turned on .



I'm kind of finding it difficult to follow my coolant lines.. Maybe because I'm a novice. Does anyone have like a diagram or map? Lol

[tomatocity]

You should be able to smell coolant that is being burnt.

[BurninCB7]

^ He is right, coolant has a distinct smell when burnt.

Does your coolant level vary? How often do you have to add coolant?


... Personally, I would get under the hood with a flashlight and mirror. Get a good look at everything while the car is running. When you shut the car off, wait a bit for it to cool(just enough so you can touch it) and start grabbing hoses. Feel the underside of the hoses for moisture, and feel each individual hose for pressure. If there are no defective hoses, move on to the intake manifold.

If you have access to a lift, it would be a LOT easier to inspect the back side of the block/intake.

[android_proball]

I haven't been able to find any leaks..

I check my coolant about once a week. The coolant level stays aboutthe same each time I check, ig gies down, but just barely. Maybe I use the wrong type? I use the AutoZone 50/50

[Accrdwgnguy]

You should be able to smell coolant that is being burnt.

If you are getting the amount of white smoke you describe, you should be able to smell the coolant

[android_proball]

I smell something, but I can't distinguish it. I doubt it's oil, so it IS coolant then.

[BurninCB7]

Coolant will have an almost sweet smell, while oil is rather dingy smelling.

If your coolant and oil levels are not changing, I would put this one in the 'Weird things my car does on startup' category (That's just me, though).