White smoke from exhaust pipe

Tiny
GANGA
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 CHEVROLET TAHOE
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
I just recently changed my radiator. I had to ride with the old one busted up until I got the money to do so. I had to put water in it every time I drove it, and I would only drive to work and back. It over heated pretty bad one time, since then I wouldn't let it get past a certain degree. But it ran considerably warmer than usual all the time in between then and the replacement. My tailpipe now has white smoke coming from it.
Also, I'd say once a week, the engine would jerk when I attempted to crank it. Now it won't crank at all. I have an exhaust leak where the head pipes and catalytic converter pipes meat. It looks like steam due to its wet on the areas it sprays on.
That's about all the information I have of the top if my head. I really appreciate your time and I really hope this issue gets resolved.
Saturday, May 2nd, 2015 AT 7:41 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,397 POSTS
Yep, sounds like you have a blown head gasket or cracked heads due to the overheating. Please follow this link for more information.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/white-smoke-or-steam-coming-from-the-exhaust-pipe

Let us know what you find :-)

Best, Ken
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Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 3:16 PM
Tiny
GANGA
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Thank you very much for your reply. The information was very helpful and I will look to inspect those areas and replace if need be. The only other question would be about the severe jerking the engine does from time to time when attempting to crank it. Now when I attempt to crank it, the engine don't turn over and there is a heavy click. It's not like a battery click, it's sounds like metal on metal. Like maybe it's locked up.
I really appreciate your time and knowledge, and I look forward to hearing from you.
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Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 3:16 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yes, that is a cylinder trying to compress coolant, (where the blown head gasket is) which it cannot, once the coolant drains slowly from the cylinder past the piston rings it will start and run again, until it happens again.

Hope this helps, Ken
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Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 3:16 PM
Tiny
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Thank you for your response. All this happened yesterday, and I've tried cranking it today, but still no luck. Would there still be coolant in the heads?
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Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 3:16 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yes, roll the spark plugs out, to see which cylinder is leaking.

Best, Ken
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Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 3:16 PM
Tiny
GANGA
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Yes sir, thank you very much for your help. It is very appreciated.
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Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 3:16 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,397 POSTS
You are welcome, we are happy to help :-)
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Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 3:16 PM

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