a few times this week when i start my 02, 5.4 i get a little smoke at startup smells like gas, kind ot white in color, any ideas, no check eng light yet..

 

white smoke is steam. steam comes from water. water from the cooling system is getting into the combustion chamber. replace engine.

 

Thats pretty bold statement. (replace engine) There are a dozen things that could cause this or it could just be condensation from the cooler weather. Ill bet there is no need for and engine replacement.

 

that's the first real smart a$$ answer i have gotten at this site i know the steam that is normal this is a real gas like smell and not steam, thank of the insite..

 

no need to be mean, i was just stating a possible problem. dont going saying things like that when you cant prove whats wrong.
get lost!

 

Here's piperc shooting off his mouth and giving poor advice with attitude again. "replace engine"



messman24- Condensation and a rich smell is common at startup, especially as the weather turns colder. You're not fouling out spark plugs or missing large quantities of oil or antifreeze are you? If the smoke has a blue hue, check your PCV valve and the line that supplies it (very common problem).

 

Have you done any really short trips? Like moving the truck from one side of the driveway to the other then leaving it over night?

Do a search here on "Puff of smoke at start up" and/or "blue smoke at start up" you will find it is very common and as long as it doesn't happen everyday no matter what you will be ok.

 

psh! i wasnt making a smart comment, i was just stating a possible problem.

 

i wouldnt worry too much about it. The gas smell is probley a little bit of gas that wasnt fully combusted during the initial startup. My truck smells kinda rich in cold temps. after the first 30 seconds or so of startup. White colored steam is pretty normal especially in cold temps, just a product of an internal combusion engine. Im 99.9999% sure your engine is fine. Piper doesnt know what he's talking about, find some other threads he's posted in and youll see. If it doesnt smoke black or blue when your driving it, youre ok. If youre worried about a problem with it, you can always take it to the dealer and have a technician look at it.

 

Thanks all i will keep an eye on it, it has not done it in 2 or 3 days, i drive at least 30 miles a day 15 each way to work, maybe i did not due the best job telling the problem but rplace engine sounds like what a dealer would say, thanks for all the help..

 

If coolant was leaking into the exhaust the "smoke" would continue even when the engine was warm. So if you only experience "smoke" at the start this is probably normal operation, particularly if the outside air temperature is cool (normal startup condensation).

Even if you were leaking coolant into the exhaust, you would probably only need a new head gasket (not a new engine).

 

PVC valve fixed the problem

 

no way!!!
Take the PCV valve back and replace your engine!!!!



Glad you fixed it!!!