I just went to start it and it was smoking a whole bunch... I looked under the hood and I checked the oil, that was fine but then I saw the coolant reservoir was empty. It wasn't empty a few days ago when I replaced the timing belt, water pump, etc.. I did notice that the thermostat had a slight leak around it. Nothing serious just a few drops but I can't imagine that leaking out the whole entire reservoir. That also doesn't explain my smoking problem... The only thing that I can muster up is that it has a blown head gasket. It only smoked on start up not while driving. Any ideas?

 

What color is the smoke?

 

The smoke is white... I just went to start it up and there was absolutely no smoke and the reservoir was as full as it was when I filled it up this morning after I noticed the smoking issue. The engine was not warm when I just started it, it had not been started for about 9 hours. BTW when I started it the first time it was about 70 degrees outside and now it is about 80 if that makes any difference.

 

white smoke is coolant. u r gasket bound


man up and taste a wet drop from your exhaust

(spit it out) if sweet (which it will be) you are in major gasket repair land

 

Yea I'm pretty sure it's the HG... Can I drive it like this for a while? I drove it about 50 miles today and it didn't leak at all. I really can't afford to replace the head gasket this soon but I am willing to spend $10 a month on antifreeze.

 

you are asking for sudden engine seizure to drive on a known bad gasket

if it lets go you will have to pull over and stop immediately. it is likely doing damage right now. water does not lube as well as oil

 

You could probably do a head gasket no problem. Its what, $30 or $40 for the gaskets?

 

It hasn't been leaking any coolant at all recently though?