White puff of smoke advice needed!

[Mad Dog Tannen]

So today I started up my truck, and for the first time ever, there was a puff of white smoke (not steam) from the exaust. Which I know means burning oil.

My question is... How can I tell if it is coming from the turbo or the valves?

 

[Slyclone]

Re: White puff of smoke advice needed!

i believe the trick is to remove the oil filler cap, and rev accordingly and check smoking or not.

 

[Fighting5thSVT]

Re: White puff of smoke advice needed!

If it was only right after start up, it is most likely the valve seals. If it continues on well after start up and while driving, probably turbo or more.

 

[Richard Le]

Re: White puff of smoke advice needed!

there was a puff of white smoke (not steam) from the exaust. Which I know means burning oil.QUOTE]

Sorry, white smoke is not burning oil. Blue smoke is.

 

[Mad Dog Tannen]

there was a puff of white smoke (not steam) from the exaust. Which I know means burning oil.QUOTE]

Sorry, white smoke is not burning oil. Blue smoke is.

They both look the same to me. But oil doesn't evaporate. Plus I've blown a few head gaskets in my time, I can tell the difference!

 

[SYO237]

Re: White puff of smoke advice needed!

They both look the same to me. But oil doesn't evaporate. Plus I've blown a few head gaskets in my time, I can tell the difference!

If you blew a head gasket in these trucks, there is a high chance you wouldnt be driving. As mentioned above, the white puff on startup is attributed to valve seals. Nothing to worry about as far as continued damage goes, more of an annoyance.

You can change them out if it really bothers you. Do a search on "valve seals" and you'll get more than enough information on the subject.

 

[Mad Dog Tannen]

I heard that it could also be the turbo seals. Is this true on these trucks?

 

[gkrcr882]

Re: White puff of smoke advice needed!

PCV also dumps into the turbo inlet, so it's not uncommon to find a small amount of oil in there. Blue startup smoke is a common smallblock/4.3 trait.

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: White puff of smoke advice needed!

Does it do it every time? Make a video!

How is your oil consumption?

White smoke is more likely coolant - maybe you have a turbo coolant leak. How is the coolant level?

Good luck!

 

[Mad Dog Tannen]

I can tell the difference between coolant and oil.

It happened once yesterday, and has not happened sense. One puff of smoke right at startup and then nothing.

I have a oil leak right where the turbo oil drain-line meets the oil pan, so it's hard to tell if I'm consuming oil from within.(new fittings are on their way!)

 

[nonova0074]

Re: White puff of smoke advice needed!

I already explained that I can tell the difference between coolant and oil.

It happened once yesterday, and has not happened sense. One puff of smoke right at startup and then nothing.

I have a oil leak right where the turbo oil drain-line meets the oil pan, so it's hard to tell if I'm consuming oil from within.(new fitting are on their way!)

Mine does the same thing Its a 4.3 gm they all do it, even my gn does it. Hey arent you from Nj you should meet up at the tbss meet next weekend

 

[T-Bone]

Re: White puff of smoke advice needed!

A deficient valve seal will result in your condition ONLY upon a cold start. Run your truck a few miles to operating temp, shut it off and wait a few minutes. Upon restart, if it puffs again like the magic dragon, it is probably attributed to a turbo line leak. If it does NOT puff again, as has been said, aside from being an annoyance, it will not hurt a thing.

If your exhaust tip is black and oily-filmed, you have internal engine issues. If it is dry with black dust, you are burning rich (ok). If it is dry with grey dust or no dust at all, you are burning spot on.

 

[Mad Dog Tannen]

Mine does the same thing Its a 4.3 gm they all do it, even my gn does it. Hey arent you from Nj you should meet up at the tbss meet next weekend

I am from Jersey and I would love to come to the meet. But I am having surgery on the 8th and won't be able to drive my Ty for about 3 months!

 

[syclomatic]

Re: White puff of smoke advice needed!

Mine puffs blue (big cloud!) smoke every time i start her up! Smells bad, but then no smoke at all after that first cloud! Never saw any driving probs from it....