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Slight white smoke with fluid coming out of the exhaust

Tiny
TERM
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 FORD RANGER
  • 155,000 MILES
2000 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 with 3.0L Flex Fuel Engine It has a slight white smoke with fluid coming out of the exhaust at start up, and occasionally when running. There is no water in the oil, no loss of coolant, and no overheating.

I cant figure it out. Flushed the radiator, changed the oil, changed the plugs. Everything looks fine. Some people I know said it may be a bad head gasket but there is no signs of it if there is. There is the slight smoke and fluid but it just doesn't seem like it.
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Tuesday, March 27th, 2012 AT 9:16 PM

13 Replies

Tiny
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  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
You can purchase a head gasket test kit at most chain parts stores.
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Tuesday, March 27th, 2012 AT 9:46 PM
Tiny
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Are you overheating? Is the smoke constant even though the engine is warmed- If not could be just condensation/moisture-but check it anyway with a cooling system pressure tester
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Tuesday, March 27th, 2012 AT 9:46 PM
Tiny
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No overheating, and it smokes at startup, then off and on sometimes after engine is warm. Never has a constant white smoke. Thats what I couldnt understand.
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Tuesday, March 27th, 2012 AT 9:55 PM
Tiny
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Sure its not blue smoke blend with white-could be a valve seals problem or just condensation.
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+1
Tuesday, March 27th, 2012 AT 10:06 PM
Tiny
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Just white smoke, like steam almost. How much will the cooling system pressure tester cost me? Thanks for the help.
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Tuesday, March 27th, 2012 AT 10:12 PM
Tiny
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You should be able to borrow one from a store such as Autozone or Pep Boys
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Tuesday, March 27th, 2012 AT 10:14 PM
Tiny
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You should be able to borrow one from such stores as Autozone and Pep Boys and O'Reilly's.
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Tuesday, March 27th, 2012 AT 10:26 PM
Tiny
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Would a combustion leak tester work as effectively? Its the one where the fluid changes colors. I can buy one of those for around $30
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Tuesday, March 27th, 2012 AT 11:06 PM
Tiny
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Yes, it could.
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Tuesday, March 27th, 2012 AT 11:19 PM
Tiny
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Also, When I drive the truck the smoke/fluid goes away completely. Wouldnt it get worse if it was a blown head gasket?
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Wednesday, March 28th, 2012 AT 12:36 AM
Tiny
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Not if it wasn't a very bad leak yet.
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-1
Wednesday, March 28th, 2012 AT 2:13 AM
Tiny
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Tested with a combustion Leak tester, didnt change color. So I have no idea whats going on. I drove it for 20 mile and everything was fine, popped the hood and had a few bubbles in the coolant tank. Not sure if that was just air escaping due to having the cap off the radiator or what. I also noticed that the catalytic converter is full of water.
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Thursday, March 29th, 2012 AT 6:43 PM
Tiny
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Also, when the truck does produce the white smoke and fluid from the exhaust it is only from idling. I could let it sit and idle for 3 hours and it would smoke, but as soon as I drive it all the smoke and fluid is gone.
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Thursday, March 29th, 2012 AT 6:58 PM

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