my4runner

What causes white smoke when you start the truck for the first time each day, then after doesnt smoke again? (Only in the mornings) Thanks

Georgiadave

Probably it is oil leaking past the valve guides overnight and accumulating on the valve heads and cylinder walls. When you start the engine, the oil burns off. You may also notice this when you are idling and stopped and then accelerate.

infiltrator

yeah, this happens with me, how can we fix it? is it bad?

Turbo4Runner

I have always heard (and my experiences have supported this so far):

White smoke = Burning Coolant
Blue Smoke = Burning Oil.

MMA_Alex

yeah white smoke is usually water/coolant. oil burns black.

check the coolant and the oil.

when its cold you'll get some white smoke when you start it up typically, and thats not an issue.

mt_goat

X2, try starting in the morning then shut it down quickly and pull your plugs and look for one wet with coolant.

keithguts

What is the temp where you are? If it's cold outside, it is normal for the rig to smoke when you 1st start it up. Mine does it all the time, but it is only the hot air hitting the cold air. I think I said that right.

my4runner

Its actually warm here in El Paso Texas, it doesnt smoke at all during the day, stop and goes either!! Thanks my friends

aviator

warm during day but what does the temp drop to at night? It might just be the "cold start" smoke we see up here in the NE. remeber your truck will have "cold soaked" over night so even if the air is warm when you leave in the a.m. the engine could still be quite cold.

keithguts

It sounds to me like you haven't got anything to worry about. If it dosn't do it after the 1st start, I think it is just the cold start. The hot air hitting the cold air seems to be the problem in this case. I might be wrong, but mine has been doing that since I got her. Not as much in the summer, but still a small amount in the morning in hot weather, but alot more as it gets colder.

billmaness

I assume that you have anti-freeze mixture in the coolant system (not straight water). If you are burning oil or antifreeze, the tailpipe would be greasy inside. Check with finger. This smoke would also linger in the air. The white smoke in the morning that quickly "disolves" after leaving the tailpipe is water vapor/condensation from temperture changes inside the system. This is more noticeable in the morning when the humidity is higher and is normal. You will also have clear water (condensation) dripping from the tailpipe. This is why short trips will rust out the muffler/tailpipe.

keithguts

Well said.........................

misterzee

If the engine seems otherwise healthy, i.e. no oil-water mix, and the cloud is just upon cold start and only lasts a few seconds, its most likely the oil that gets in past worn/hardened valve guide seals. You can change em, or just have your friends look the other way when you start up. ;-)

85toy

its cold outside with a lot of moisture in the air its just water burning.

Georgiadave

Look at the plugs and into the combustion chambers before you start the engine in the morning. Look for oil or water on or in one or more.

Then do a compression check. Low or no compresson means a blown head gasket or a leak.

Test for CO2 in the coolant. This can be done with a kit.

I still lean to worn valve guides and seals. Oil smoke is white, fuel is black.

Good luck with this matter.

dcg9381

Two things to check:
1) Does it smell like coolant?
2) Are you losing water - at all?

A HG can go, dump water into the cylinder(s) and you'll never see it in the oil pan. You will be able to see it if you pull the plugs and look at the top of the piston - pistons picking up water won't have nearly as much carbon on them.

Truck may not run any differently, may not show much for other issues....

bigarms23

its either oil leaking into cylinders but also make sure your exhaust manifold it titened

corvey

Valve Guides...

Does it smell sweet like antifreeze (assuming you have have antifreeze in your radiator)?

If not, Valve Guides for sure...

my4runner

Thanks everyone, it was the valve guides, had all the valves and guides replaced, no more smoke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Travisfab

My white smoke smells more like coolant, headgasket?