1. Welcome to Tundras.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tundra discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other Tundra owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

SOLVED: White smoke puffing out of exhaust after brake job

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by MrAristo, Mar 22, 2020.

  1. Mar 22, 2020 at 5:07 PM
    #1
    MrAristo

    MrAristo [OP] Hounty Bunter

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2020
    Member:
    #40896
    Messages:
    210
    Gender:
    Male
    South FL
    Vehicle:
    ‘01 4X4 Limited TRD
    So today I resolved leaking brake fluid by replacing my master cylinder, and was ready to be happily on my way when I cut the engine on and noticed a ton of smoke pouring out of my exhaust.. truly anticlimactic.

    C1FD7BBE-7B40-49CD-84EA-9673902467B9.jpg

    I immediately started to wonder if my head gasket was blown? Maybe I spilled some brake oil into the exhaust? Maybe something to do with these hoses I disconnected and then reconnected?? Take a peak..

    0BEBD4AF-2FD2-4592-941B-751BBED23743.jpg

    On a positive note the engine sounded normal and my coolant reservoir was unchanged while there was no overheating at all. Also the smoke was white not blue, and there was also water dripping out as well which meant maybe it is a water leak? Also a slight sweet scent to the smoke. A couple buddies in the area took a look and were also stumped. We left the car running and the heavy smoke did slow down a tad, especially while accelerating, but as soon as I take my foot off the accelerator the smoke gets slightly heavier again.

    After a couple hours it’s not as heavy but there’s still white smoking dissipating, especially on idle.

    7DCE949D-1CF4-4F51-82D2-E252E2B9656A.jpg

    On a side I recently had the timing belt/water pump replaced if that means anything. For the time being I’m going to let her sit for a couple days as she’s my second vehicle, and also don’t want to push it if it indeed is a head gasket about to go. Regardless I love these 4.7s!!

    Any input would help friends!
     
    Last edited: Mar 23, 2020
  2. Mar 22, 2020 at 5:13 PM
    #2
    MS22

    MS22 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2019
    Member:
    #35208
    Messages:
    606
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    02 Tundra 4x4
    Check your oil dipstick and see if it has a somewhat white or frothy look to it.
     
    MrAristo[OP] likes this.
  3. Mar 22, 2020 at 5:14 PM
    #3
    MrAristo

    MrAristo [OP] Hounty Bunter

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2020
    Member:
    #40896
    Messages:
    210
    Gender:
    Male
    South FL
    Vehicle:
    ‘01 4X4 Limited TRD
    I also forgot to mention that! Oil is a very healthy golden brown, no milky/cloudy color to it.
     
  4. Mar 23, 2020 at 3:58 AM
    #4
    tvpierce

    tvpierce Formerly New Member

    Joined:
    May 6, 2019
    Member:
    #30129
    Messages:
    1,261
    Maine
    Vehicle:
    2000 Tundra AC SR5 4WD, 4.7 Automatic
    How are your brakes?

    How's your brake fluid level? Is it possible brake fluid is leaking past your new master cylinder, getting into the vacuum booster, then being drawn into the intake manifold?
     
  5. Mar 23, 2020 at 8:31 AM
    #5
    MrAristo

    MrAristo [OP] Hounty Bunter

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2020
    Member:
    #40896
    Messages:
    210
    Gender:
    Male
    South FL
    Vehicle:
    ‘01 4X4 Limited TRD
    Checked brake fluid level this morning, not a difference. Buddy of mine said good chance it’s valve seals?
     
  6. Mar 23, 2020 at 9:12 AM
    #6
    SouthPaw

    SouthPaw The headlight guy

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2019
    Member:
    #35992
    Messages:
    1,284
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2000 Limited 4x4 AC
    Not sure if this is even the right direction to point you but you can easily remove the intake tube to the throttle body and see what it looks like.
     
  7. Mar 23, 2020 at 9:32 AM
    #7
    9am53

    9am53 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2019
    Member:
    #39811
    Messages:
    411
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    adam
    Vehicle:
    2015 Black RCLB 4x4
    2020 PRO headlights and grill
    The fact that you mentioned slight sweet scent tells me its coolant you're burning. When my T100 lost a head gasket it was like burning candy and white smoke. It doesnt take much to totally whiten the exhaust smoke, you may not notice the reservoir lowering for a while. It is odd that it happened right after the brake repair though...
     
    MrAristo[OP], speedtre and YardBird like this.
  8. Mar 23, 2020 at 9:34 AM
    #8
    rockmup

    rockmup New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2019
    Member:
    #37565
    Messages:
    821
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Todd
    Greenwell Springs LA.
    Vehicle:
    2019 1794
    Kings, 5:29's, E-lockers on 37's
    That ^

    Or


    Not familiar with Tundra braking systems but if it was most any other manufaturer, I'd say you have brake fluid going to your intake through the vacuum hose.
     
  9. Mar 23, 2020 at 10:33 AM
    #9
    773_eddie

    773_eddie Trd Pro

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2019
    Member:
    #26204
    Messages:
    660
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Eddie
    Chicago
    Vehicle:
    Tundra Trd Pro
    12volt remote start, weathertec accessories, Trd Pro decals, Toyota console safe,VLEDS Puddle Lights,Frac Harness,TRD PRO front and Rear Sway Bar,NSV Hood Light Bar,ESP long box,AJT accessories,Thinkware U1000 dashcam, coachbuilder 1/3 Lift, HR LED’s,Pro comp Traction bars, JL complete System wit 2 10” subs, Kenwood DDX9907XR HU
    I just installed an new engine on an Escalade original broke a rod I reused original intake and injectors wen I started up the new engine it was running rough and billowing out white smoke started diagnosing the problem and found a stuck open #6 injector replaced it smoke is gone now new engines runs perfect
    0D7FBB22-D884-48D8-A67C-474B09EC3880.jpg
     
    Filthyphil, MrAristo[OP] and hammeron like this.
  10. Mar 23, 2020 at 11:19 AM
    #10
    Darkness

    Darkness Allergic to white

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2018
    Member:
    #17315
    Messages:
    9,976
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Luis
    All over SoCal
    Vehicle:
    The darkest
    It's really dark
    I dont think its brake fluid. I swapped my booster and MC recently, I dont see any way to get enough fluid in the hose for that much smoke.

    I think it is a separate problem that just presented itself.
     
    MrAristo[OP] likes this.
  11. Mar 23, 2020 at 11:20 AM
    #11
    9am53

    9am53 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2019
    Member:
    #39811
    Messages:
    411
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    adam
    Vehicle:
    2015 Black RCLB 4x4
    2020 PRO headlights and grill
    In that case you're burning coolant, sorry dude.
     
  12. Mar 23, 2020 at 1:29 PM
    #12
    iRenaissanceMan

    iRenaissanceMan New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2020
    Member:
    #42930
    Messages:
    143
    Sure sounds like symptoms of a leaking head gasket. Possibly just a small leak of coolant to exhaust so you're not seeing coolant in the oil? How's your coolant level?
     
  13. Mar 23, 2020 at 1:30 PM
    #13
    iRenaissanceMan

    iRenaissanceMan New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2020
    Member:
    #42930
    Messages:
    143
    I'd suggest to annotate your coolant level, drive a bit and check. I heard that driving it while leaking could impact your O2 sensor or CAT though. Should check on that before adding more damage.
     
    MrAristo[OP] and tvpierce like this.
  14. Mar 23, 2020 at 4:15 PM
    #14
    tvpierce

    tvpierce Formerly New Member

    Joined:
    May 6, 2019
    Member:
    #30129
    Messages:
    1,261
    Maine
    Vehicle:
    2000 Tundra AC SR5 4WD, 4.7 Automatic
    Unlikely. That would generally cause a "puff" of blue smoke immediately on start-up, and would be done withing a few seconds.

    White smoke like that would point more to a substance other than oil. Coolant is likely, but since you just did brake work, brake fluid is suspect.
     
    MrAristo[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  15. Mar 23, 2020 at 5:18 PM
    #15
    MrAristo

    MrAristo [OP] Hounty Bunter

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2020
    Member:
    #40896
    Messages:
    210
    Gender:
    Male
    South FL
    Vehicle:
    ‘01 4X4 Limited TRD
    I saw a video of someone who had a similar scenario with a Subaru of theirs. Replaced leaking MC, then once done drove off and a ton of white smoke emitting from the exhaust. If it indeed was vacuumed in, is it just a matter of driving around till it’s all cleared?

    My coolant level remains the same after a day. I drove the car around the neighborhood a bit and let it idle for a bit also. No noticeable difference in coolant.

    That’s exactly what I am thinking here. One thing to note is today after work I came home and started her up, buddy said a good bit of liquid came out of the exhaust. I want to say it was a clear yellowish color with slight froth? I’m leaning towards brake fluid, but did that much really seep in for a smoke-like vapor to still be emitting? Mind you my MC was probably leaking for a good month if not longer. Im much less likely thinking it was engine oil the level has stayed the same, just as my coolant level. I’m getting those white puffs of smoke on acceleration driving around the block. I’m stumped here folks..
     
    Last edited: Mar 23, 2020
  16. Mar 23, 2020 at 5:39 PM
    #16
    joesTundra

    joesTundra New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2018
    Member:
    #16108
    Messages:
    188
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Joe
    Vehicle:
    2018, Toyota Tundra Limited, TRD 4x4 off road
    smell thesmoke, does it smell like burned oil or like no smell at all. It look like water getting in you engine somewhere, looks like some of the hose are worn out and need replaced, hoses
    need to be tight and no leaking.
     
  17. Mar 24, 2020 at 4:26 AM
    #17
    rockmup

    rockmup New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2019
    Member:
    #37565
    Messages:
    821
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Todd
    Greenwell Springs LA.
    Vehicle:
    2019 1794
    Kings, 5:29's, E-lockers on 37's

    You need a schematic of the plumbing for the system and make sure you have it plumbed right first. Remember, keep it simple
     
    Last edited: Mar 24, 2020
    MrAristo[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  18. Mar 24, 2020 at 4:53 AM
    #18
    9am53

    9am53 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2019
    Member:
    #39811
    Messages:
    411
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    adam
    Vehicle:
    2015 Black RCLB 4x4
    2020 PRO headlights and grill
    You said it smelled slightly sweet right? take a straw and do a little dip into your reservoir and take out a few mL. drop this coolant onto a hot piece of steel or fying pan or something that will vapourise it. is it that smell?
     
    MrAristo[OP] likes this.
  19. Mar 24, 2020 at 6:24 AM
    #19
    Lovetrucks

    Lovetrucks Member

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2020
    Member:
    #43266
    Messages:
    1,315
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bryan
    Vehicle:
    2019 Ram Rebel
    This is a good idea , then you’ll know .
     
  20. Mar 24, 2020 at 8:50 AM
    #20
    pv355

    pv355 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2019
    Member:
    #24949
    Messages:
    43
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Peter
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    2018 CM SR5 5.7L 4x4 in Gray
    Installed: TRD Rear sway bar HIKARI Ultra LED H4 & HIKARI LED H11 Power tailgate lock JBL Stadium 5 + JBL GTO609c Kicker 43TCWRT102 in passive radiator box Waiting on install: Wishlist: Component speakers Leather seats + vented/heated Puddle lights Illuminated ignition ring ESP Rear seat storage Chrome grille delete Parking sensors
    I had white smoke come out another car. It turned out to be the air oil separator.
    They say coolent burning produces blueish and sweet smelling smoke. I had cooler leak in another car in college. I remember it looked white to me and I only noticed the sweetness when a mechanic pointed it out to me.
    Good luck.
     
    MrAristo[OP] likes this.
  21. Mar 24, 2020 at 9:12 AM
    #21
    KNABORES

    KNABORES Sarcasm incoming

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2020
    Member:
    #40572
    Messages:
    8,915
    Gender:
    Male
    Arkansas
    Vehicle:
    2000 Limited TRD AC 4X4 Thunder Grey 270k miles. 2019 Limited TRD CM 4x4 Cement Grey 75k miles
    2000: Bilstein 5100's 16x8 589's with 265/75/16 and 1.25" spacers Flowmaster 50 series over the axle dump Pioneer touchscreen with backup camera Full interior and dash LED conversion Trailer brake controller with 7 pin Bedliner coat bumpers & trim ARE topper 2019: ARE topper with full Bedrug kit and Vortex rack TRD shifter 1.25" wheel spacers (I like to live dangerously) Red tow hooks for that +15 grip bonus
    perhaps one of the coolant lines, heater core or throttle body for example could have gotten mixed up for a vaccuum line? until the truck comes up to full temp and the thermostat opens you wouldn't have a mass circulation of coolant to drop the level significantly. It also wouldn't mix with the oil this way. Just a thought. Agree with the above plumbing diagram and recheck.
     
    MrAristo[OP] likes this.
  22. Mar 24, 2020 at 11:37 AM
    #22
    9am53

    9am53 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2019
    Member:
    #39811
    Messages:
    411
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    adam
    Vehicle:
    2015 Black RCLB 4x4
    2020 PRO headlights and grill
    You can also pull your park plugs, if its getting into a cylinder the plug will be very clean looking, it would basically have a steam cleaning.
     
    MrAristo[OP] likes this.
  23. Mar 24, 2020 at 11:42 AM
    #23
    SouthPaw

    SouthPaw The headlight guy

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2019
    Member:
    #35992
    Messages:
    1,284
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2000 Limited 4x4 AC
    Have you pulled of vacuum lines/hoses to see if any are wet? I am still betting it's brake fluid leaking and burning through the intake.
     
    MrAristo[OP] likes this.
  24. Mar 24, 2020 at 11:52 AM
    #24
    Twest130

    Twest130 New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2019
    Member:
    #32453
    Messages:
    14
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Travis
    Vehicle:
    2000 sr5
    I've had this issue after working on the brakes of a friends Chevy. Best I could figure we over extended the master cylinder when pumping the brakes bake. Brake fluid got into the vacuum system and into the intank. Should burn off as long as it's not still getting past the master cylinder. To keep this from happening again ive started putting a cut 2x4 behind the brake pedal when I'm pumping up the brakes on older vehicles
     
    MrAristo[OP] likes this.
  25. Mar 24, 2020 at 4:14 PM
    #25
    MrAristo

    MrAristo [OP] Hounty Bunter

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2020
    Member:
    #40896
    Messages:
    210
    Gender:
    Male
    South FL
    Vehicle:
    ‘01 4X4 Limited TRD
    Thanks for all the responses folks. Soo update today, didn’t get a ton accomplished but I’m starting to think could be a break booster issue. When the car is on and idle, none to barely any smoke comes from the exhaust. When accelerating is when it happens, making me assume vacuuming. But amount of smoke is less than previous two days. Also another key tidbit, whenever I pump the brakes with engine on I can hear a hissing noise coming from the pedal area. Now mind you I recently replaced my MC due to leaking, but could it be the booster was bad as well? Or could have all the leaked brake fluid done damage to the booster? Starting to feel my issue is this area ala brake fluid causing the smoke.

    Great idea; actually did this and nope it’s not a sweet scent more like oily chemical scent..

    Yes I pulled the hose from the booster, no liquid. Both before turning engine on, and after. Maybe a couple days ago it was wet, now the remaining smoke is coming from what’s seeped into the engine? Puzzled a tad with this.
     
    Last edited: Mar 24, 2020
    YardBird likes this.
  26. Mar 25, 2020 at 5:45 AM
    #26
    9am53

    9am53 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2019
    Member:
    #39811
    Messages:
    411
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    adam
    Vehicle:
    2015 Black RCLB 4x4
    2020 PRO headlights and grill
    As a follow up to my above experiment, the next step would be to similarly drip some of your brake fluid onto a frying pan or hot steel and smell that. if you can eliminate one or the other as your source of the problem it would obviously be helpful. Also, if you burn your brake fluid and its the smell coming out the tail pipe you should be very happy and maybe go buy a lotto ticket!
     
    MrAristo[OP] likes this.
  27. Mar 25, 2020 at 7:15 PM
    #27
    iRenaissanceMan

    iRenaissanceMan New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2020
    Member:
    #42930
    Messages:
    143
    Cool hack to vaporize the liquid and smell it. Any concern over toxicity?
     
  28. Mar 25, 2020 at 7:22 PM
    #28
    FrenchToasty

    FrenchToasty The Desert rat, 6 lug enthusiast

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2019
    Member:
    #36156
    Messages:
    15,435
    First Name:
    Mo
    The SoAz
    Vehicle:
    2006 DC 4.88s Elocker and some other trippy stuff
    None
    Sunscreen is toxic, if you eat enough of it.
     
    bmf4069 likes this.
  29. Mar 25, 2020 at 7:37 PM
    #29
    iRenaissanceMan

    iRenaissanceMan New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2020
    Member:
    #42930
    Messages:
    143
    True... water as well.
     
  30. Mar 26, 2020 at 3:32 AM
    #30
    MrAristo

    MrAristo [OP] Hounty Bunter

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2020
    Member:
    #40896
    Messages:
    210
    Gender:
    Male
    South FL
    Vehicle:
    ‘01 4X4 Limited TRD
    I’m replacing the brake booster later today, hoping once I do I notice the old one is still wet from all the original leakage & my problems are then solved.. its’s far too coincidental this occurs right after replacing a leaking MC.. If so i’ll hold off on lotto hopes till society returns to normalcy :D
     
    Last edited: Mar 26, 2020
    SC T100 likes this.

Products Discussed in

To Top