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Excessive white smoke but no milky oil

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by 1sttime1stgenowner, May 9, 2024.

  1. May 9, 2024 at 1:15 PM
    #1
    1sttime1stgenowner

    1sttime1stgenowner [OP] New Member

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    Hey all. I have been watching my coolant overflow reservoir to watch for any leaks or head gasket issues. Before I went out for a drive yesterday I checked my coolant and saw that it was about an inch down from the full line. When I got back home I noticed is was about 2 inches away from the low line. The entire drive I didn’t notice any white smoke until I really put the pedal to the floor. When I start the truck up cold I don’t have excessive white smoke. When it’s fully warmed up I don’t have excessive white smoke. I only get white smoke when I really put the pedal to the floor. The oil isn’t milky either. Could it still be a blown head gasket or something else? I do notice that when the truck is fully warmed up that my oil on the dipstick is way above the full mark. Could it that there’s too much oil in the engine?

    Edit: This morning I topped off the coolant like an idiot. Came home for lunch about 10 mins ago and checked the coolant and now it’s way above the full line.
     
  2. May 9, 2024 at 1:53 PM
    #2
    FirstGenVol

    FirstGenVol Recovering mangler

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    What you want is to establish a baseline when the engine is hot and then check the coolant levels when hot. That's how I monitor mine. I've had what I assume is a tiny leak for a few years now. I add 1-2 ounces/year. I had Blackstone test the oil a while back to confirm there was no mixing going on.

    No obvious leaks anywhere?
     
    FrenchToasty likes this.
  3. May 9, 2024 at 1:56 PM
    #3
    1sttime1stgenowner

    1sttime1stgenowner [OP] New Member

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    @FirstGenVol no obvious leaks. I’ve got a blackstone test laying around somewhere so that’s a worth a shot
     
  4. May 9, 2024 at 1:58 PM
    #4
    AZBoatHauler

    AZBoatHauler SSEM#140 / 2.5 gen plebe

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    A HG failure won’t necessarily put coolant in the oil - especially a small one. Checking for combustion gases in the coolant is a better indicator.
     
    Aerindel and Riverdale21 like this.
  5. May 9, 2024 at 2:04 PM
    #5
    Red&03Taco

    Red&03Taco YUT

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    Also a cheap borescope camera (~$20-30 on Amazon) can help rule things out. Looking inside all 8 cylinders (via spark plug tubes) you should see a cylinder that is much cleaner than all the others. That'll help narrow down diagnosis
     
    AZBoatHauler likes this.
  6. May 9, 2024 at 2:12 PM
    #6
    1sttime1stgenowner

    1sttime1stgenowner [OP] New Member

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    @Red&03Taco I’ve also heard that if I see a spark plug that is cleaner than the rest that could also be an indicator of an head gasket failure. Don’t know how true that is for these trucks but it’s an idea
     
  7. May 9, 2024 at 2:15 PM
    #7
    AZBoatHauler

    AZBoatHauler SSEM#140 / 2.5 gen plebe

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    That would be correct - but if it’s bad enough to be cleaning the spark plug you’re usually getting a misfire.
     
  8. May 9, 2024 at 2:23 PM
    #8
    1sttime1stgenowner

    1sttime1stgenowner [OP] New Member

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    Like it matters but the head gaskets need changing anyway. I’m seeing oil leaks all the way around on both sides. While I’m in there I could probably change the coil pack rubber gaskets as well
     
  9. May 9, 2024 at 2:24 PM
    #9
    AZBoatHauler

    AZBoatHauler SSEM#140 / 2.5 gen plebe

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    Those are valve cover leaks - not HG. Huge difference.
     
    Aerindel likes this.
  10. May 9, 2024 at 2:26 PM
    #10
    1sttime1stgenowner

    1sttime1stgenowner [OP] New Member

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    @AZBoatHauler schooling me up out here lol. Appreciate the correction
     
  11. May 9, 2024 at 2:28 PM
    #11
    AZBoatHauler

    AZBoatHauler SSEM#140 / 2.5 gen plebe

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    Valve cover leaks are almost 100% guaranteed - HG failure usually isn’t worth fixing so
    :fingerscrossed:
     
    Aerindel likes this.

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