1995 Chevrolet Tahoe white smoke from tail pipe

CEDABABY

MEMBER
1995 CHEVROLET TAHOE

I get white smoke coming out of my tailpipe when I start her up, and when I rev the engine, it does not continue while I'm driving though. It does not over heat, there is no rough idling either. I use water instead of coolant and the resoviuor is completely empty the next day. What could be the problem?

5 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,772 POSTS

White smoke usually indicates that coolant is getting into the combustion chamber. Are you sure the white smoke you see isn't just steam from the engine which goes away after it warms up? Also, have you been able to locate any leaks? Is the engine oil contaminated?

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Thursday, September 26th, 2013 AT 6:07 PM

CEDABABY

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3 POSTS

The oil isn't contaminated, and there is a slow water leak. About the size of a half dollar in the mornings. I did change to high octane gas. Could that be it? The gasoline is too high for my engine?

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Friday, September 27th, 2013 AT 3:55 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,772 POSTS

No, sir. Better gas wouldn't cause this. I would recommend you locate the leak and repair it. Then from there, you can check to see if coolant continues to be used.

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Friday, September 27th, 2013 AT 4:32 PM

CEDABABY

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3 POSTS

Thank you very much.

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Friday, September 27th, 2013 AT 7:07 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,772 POSTS

Let me know what you find. Also, if you pressurize the cooling system, it will make things easier to locate. You can get a pressure tester at a parts store. Usually, they will lend it to you. It is just a pump that attaches to where the radiator cap is located.