So after being low 80's here today i started my truck, when i parked it this morning it was like 60, at start up a little white smoke came from the exhaust. i had checked the oil before starting and added about half a quart. Should i be seriously worried about it? my truck has always used about a quart ever 1200 miles or so since i have owned it since 2009. the truck is running great not loosing any coolant its just got me a little worried. There are no codes and i had my plugs done about a month ago and everything was fine according to my ford mechanic cousin. Might i add i just had new exhaust tips put on and with the sawsalling and stuff could it have lossened anything up that would now be burning off

 

You are using a quart every 1200 miles? That is a bit excessive, but just within factory specs. You sure it wasn't blue smoke?

 

it was white or at the very least light gray it did it last summer as well, i work nights so its still kinda cool when i get home at 8am and park it til the afternoon. I am hoping that has something to do with it.

 

Anyone have any ideas like i said its running good just has me a little worried. it did something similar last summer but i was assuming it was from being shut down during a cool temp and started up when it was warmer causing condensation or something any input is apprieciated lol

 

dont really know of anything other then to ask...

you said it took half a qt. are you sure it was full last time you checked it?

if you see no oil mixed with the coolant then i wouldnt worry about it. but id would still keep checking on it, and see if its burning more oil then it used to if you see that happening then i would start checking things.

i had a problem with a 01 and 06 explorer 4.0 both randomly losing coolant, you could smell it like it was dripping on exhaust never found the true problem in either one. Poured in some bar leaks heavy duty stop leak and never leaked another drop. Funny thing is it would lose about 1-2gal over a month of time something not normal, but they would never over heat, and the drivers(not me of course) never noticed it.

Basically what im saying is, you know your truck more then anyone else. Just keep an eye on everything and if you think something is a little different, look more into it. This couldve been just a once/randomly thing. let us know though

 

Yea it was full with 7 quarts 3 weeks ago and everything else is normal. i mean i normally have to add a little oil between thats normal since i got it the puff of smoke just kinda worried me a bit but like i said it did it a few times last summer after being parked when it was cool and started up when the weather got hot later in the afternooon thanks fellas

 

I wouldn't be surprised if it's just condensation. A puff of oil smoke on cold startup is simply leaky valve seals and isn't a problem unless it really starts using oil.

Next time you go to start it on a cold morning, have someone else start it while you hold your hand in front of the tailpipe - see what you get on your hand. If it's just moisture that smells like exhaust, it's condensation. If it smells like antifreeze, you have a problem. If it's oily, you have leaky valve seals.