MAIDEN

i started my truck up the other day and i noticed white smoke was coming from the exhaust pipe, not to much though, and when i revved it a little this black liquid spewed out. so what i am wondering is could this be my head gasket and how can i check to see if it is? thanks

TNRabbit

Do a coolant leak-down test; a mechanic can do it or you can just go to Sears & buy the kit for about what they'd charge you. It's the ONLY reliable test for HG.

dcg9381

Another indicator is a slight loss in coolant... It can go out the exaust pipe or down in the oil pan. If it goes into the oil, it's going to sit at the bottom, you can try draining a little bit out to see if you have water.

Exhaust system does get condensation in it.. Some water coming out on cold start is normal.


Exhaust that smells sweet is not normal.

thook

White smoke on start-up may just be the condensation. If it continues while driving, then you may have a problem. The smell will tell. (Was that too corny?..hehehe)

MAIDEN

ok thanks. my dad thinks it may be a clogged injector so were gonna go buy some injector cleaner today ...... any thoughts on that?

keithguts

Go for it, maby you will save alot of money. Also did you try the seafoam treatment at all. If not, give it a go as this stuff works.

thook

Why? Is it missing....lacking power?

MAIDEN

no it just started to smoke (white) and the black spewed out of my exhaust pipe so ......... i dont know what to think

mehret

The black stuff spewing out is carbon deposit, I believe.

TORTIS

iTrader: (1)

i thought that was how a toyota was supposed to start. mine been doing it for 350,000 miles. i hope it is not your headgasket.

thook

Gee, guy....if you're only getting white smoke and black spew on start up, then all you're dealing with is condensation and carbon from exhaust mixing with it. Quite, quite normal. It is possible you're running a tad rich, though. Have a look at your spark plugs.

Bumpin' Yota

Not necessarily. Mine did that for about 6 months, when it never used to, then after the 6 month period, it blew catastrophically and would not run without smoking.

Prior to that, she'd be a smoke machine until it warmed up, then no smoke at all....