Cracked block?? Search feature is offline, so i need those who have had white smoke at start up to let me know what was wrong with their engines. Only if the truck has been sitting for a while it smokes.

 

may be head related

 

hey Dave...
My friends 01 is doing this...the dealer told him there is condensation building in the muffler and it ignites on start up. SVT told them to install a "drain"...lol.....now its back for a second time for the same thing...i personally think it is a small head gasket leak...but what do i know...i will post what they tell him when they diagnose it. good luck!

 

Just sounds like condensation in your exhaust/engine. Ours does it so bad when it is humid here that the water drips out of the tailpipe, and from the muffler. This is JUST water, thus the determination of condensation.

Make sure that you are checking the radiator at the exact same place every time. Make sure it is the exact same temperature every time you check it also, as this will make a difference. Coolant will expand and contract.

If your block was cracked, you would be short a lot more than just 1/4" of coolant. Same if it was a head gasket. Also, if it was a head gasket, you would have compression in your cooling system and be blowing radiators/hoses/heater cores.......... or massively overflowing your overflow bottle.

I do own an auto repair business, so I have seen everything.

I would not be concerned at all......... I know I certainly am not.

 

Id keep am eye on the coolant level, but mine also smokes sometimes after it has sat for a few days. Doesnt do it as often now, but still does non the less. But white smoke is an indication of coolant getting in there somehow,but 1/4 low wouldnt concern me greatly. Just watch the level and see if it keeps going down, then Id take it in to the dealer.