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White smoke from exhaust

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by jesseh, Mar 14, 2011.

  1. Mar 14, 2011 at 5:11 PM
    #1
    jesseh

    jesseh [OP] Member

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    Lately I have noticed some white smoke from the exhaust ('07 TRD Off Road). At first I thought I could see the exhaust due to a cold day but thought it was not cold enough. Then today a co-worker stated they noticed the white smoke from the exhaust.

    The oil looks good and is full. I did have to add some antifreeze two weeks ago b/c the level was about 1/2" below the low level line. The antifreeze level still looks good and I don’t notice any leaks.

    Anyone know what this might be?


    Thanks.
     
  2. Mar 14, 2011 at 5:15 PM
    #2
    gusotto

    gusotto gusotto

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    White smoke at the exhaust pipe is usually an internal water leak.
    Could be a head gasket going.
    I'd get it checked.
    I did have a head gasket go on my 1982 Toyota.
     
  3. Mar 14, 2011 at 5:18 PM
    #3
    LBtaco

    LBtaco Thread killer

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    yeah white smoke usually means water in the oil.
    from where? who knows?
    most likely a head gasket I would guess.

    don't let it go, it could mean engine failure.:eek:
     
  4. Mar 14, 2011 at 5:25 PM
    #4
    05 TRD Sport

    05 TRD Sport She's Fat, I'm Drunk, It's On.

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    • white smoke = water
    • blue smoke = oil
    • black smoke = too much gas
     
  5. Mar 14, 2011 at 5:31 PM
    #5
    RCBS

    RCBS How long you willing to tolerate this crap??

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    Harden your bark, there are storms on the horizon.
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    Does the exhaust smell like syrup?
     
  6. Mar 14, 2011 at 5:42 PM
    #6
    jesseh

    jesseh [OP] Member

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    No, I didn't noticed a syrup smell but didn't really pay attention to the smell.
     
  7. Mar 14, 2011 at 5:43 PM
    #7
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    Depending on the moisture content in the air, the white smoke could be condensation being burned in the exhaust, or in the cats. If it goes away once the engine is up to operating temp, there should be no worries.
     
  8. Mar 14, 2011 at 6:04 PM
    #8
    outxider

    outxider Never stop exploring. Rest in Paradise Big Bro.

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    This! Same thing happens to me every morning for work, once the engine is up to operating temp, its gone.

     
  9. Mar 14, 2011 at 6:06 PM
    #9
    jrdbrn

    jrdbrn Well-Known Member

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    Threadjack

    I find my trucks exhaust is starting to smell strong. Anyone have an idea of why? My truck is a year and a half old.

    Only thing ever added was an aFe Stage 2 and I run Pennzoil 5w-30 synthetic oil.
     
  10. Mar 14, 2011 at 7:22 PM
    #10
    RCBS

    RCBS How long you willing to tolerate this crap??

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    Harden your bark, there are storms on the horizon.
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    Tornado intake, Duralube, Fartcan.
    X2. Take a whiff off your tailpipe...should be able to smell the coolant if its burning. If smells "normal", I wouldn't sweat it. You could pull your spark plugs and have a look as well.
     
  11. Mar 14, 2011 at 7:28 PM
    #11
    Timber

    Timber Crankey Old Yacht Jockey

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    just a couple comfort items.
    It is most likely just condensation in the muffler and exhaust pipe. I live at the beach and my truck always blows steam Until it warms up. If you go look at it after you fire it up you can see water dripping out the end of the pipe.
     
  12. Mar 15, 2011 at 7:23 AM
    #12
    Nick54

    Nick54 Well-Known Member

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    +1 on Chris4x4 comments, but I would keep and eye on the oil quality and quantity, if you have a water leak into the combustion chambers and it gets gradually worse your oil will look milky and the level will increase and you will have a cooresponding coolant decrease.
     
  13. Mar 15, 2011 at 8:44 AM
    #13
    BrokenTusk

    BrokenTusk I support a velociraptor free workplace.

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    Do you make alot of short quick trips? with NEVER doing any long trips? you'll have condensation build up in your intake and oil.

    If thats the case, take your truck for a nice hour long drive to heat it up and burn it all out.
     
  14. Mar 15, 2011 at 8:52 AM
    #14
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    If that were the case, the engine would run rough, trip a miss fire code, and/or over heat.
     
  15. Mar 15, 2011 at 9:22 AM
    #15
    ecoterragaia

    ecoterragaia Everyone lives downstream.

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    While you're checking things over, grab a flashlight and mirror and look under the pulley shaft of the water pump for any leaks. Mine was losing coolant very slowly because the water pump seals were bad. The leak was so slow that the coolant would leave small spatters and thin trails of pink crystals that you wouldn't notice unless you were looking for them. No drops on the ground or the skid plate.

    Steam coming out of the exhaust is normal until the vehicle warms up. Even after warm, you'll sometimes see whiffs of steam if the temperature, dew point, and barometric pressure are just right. In addition to burning off water collected in the exhaust system, water vapor resulting from combustion is under slight pressure and is super heated. It starts to condense as soon as it hits the exhaust system.
     
  16. Mar 15, 2011 at 12:38 PM
    #16
    Chris(NJ)

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    If the oil looks good (not milky) and its not running rough, I'd rule out a head gasket.

    I'm w/ these guys, its probably just some condensation burning off.

    If it gets to the point that you can figure it out, you could always run a compression check to help narrow things down. Also change the fluids, see how they look after being drained.
     
  17. Mar 15, 2011 at 1:20 PM
    #17
    Asgard

    Asgard Well-Known Member

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  18. Mar 15, 2011 at 1:26 PM
    #18
    BlueTaco07

    BlueTaco07 Super Mod!

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    i have 2.5 inch pipe as well and dual flows. Ive wondered because it happenes to mine to but I think its just condesation
     
  19. Mar 15, 2011 at 4:49 PM
    #19
    jesseh

    jesseh [OP] Member

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    Thanks for the responses. I started the truck today and some small amounts of fog came out. After I drove it around the block to heat up the engine the fog went away.

    I'll keep an eye on it but don't think I have any problems.

    Thanks again.
     
  20. Mar 15, 2011 at 6:31 PM
    #20
    joes06tacoma

    joes06tacoma Well-Known Member

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    I agree. Doubtful that there is anything wrong, but watch the fluids until you are sure.

    My truck seems to have more exhaust steam when cold than other vehicles I have driven. I have had it for 12K miles now and it has 53K on it. I have noticed that the coolant dropped maybe a half inch since I got it. I'm pretty sure it's leaking from the overflow bottle hose and I can see the deposits on that hose joint.

    Check the fluids when you fill up but don't lose any sleep over it. No pattern of head gasket issues on these trucks.
     

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