Hey guys,

I have a 1997 F-150 4.2L V-6 w/ 105k miles. Recently, when I start it up, I notice a lot of white smoke appearing after about 10 seconds. Stays pretty heavy until the truck warms up. Smoke smells sweet like antifreeze. I thought it may be from cracked head or gasket so I'm toting around an extra gallon of Antifreeze just in case. It doesn't appear to be using any. I just did my Christmas rounds from St. Louis to Springfield MO down I-44 so it ran hard at 70 mph. Runs strong and gas milage appears to be good. Any help?

Thanks

 

Look at your oil...kinda chocolate in color? white streaks running through it? Dip stick have water beads on it when cold?
PARK IT.
You have a blown head gasket for now. Keep driving it and you'll have a lot more.

 

I looked at the dipstick and it appears pretty normal. Normal level and black. Could it be something else, maybe something cheap and simple??

Thanks!!!

 

Pull your plugs. The one that looks differant from the others and has that a/freeze smell is where your leak is.

 

beware of hydro locking, the same thing happened to me. went out to start it and it broke the connecting rod in the #1 cyl. it 's most likly your lower intake gasket failure. google "97 4.2 ford hydro locking" you we be amazed!!!

 

Do what he said

Then new gaskets.

If the motor has ran HOT in the past , that's what usualy does it..Or if you don't flush it once in a while, that will eventually have adverse effects aswell.