Intermittent White Smoke - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Vesta · 08-16-2009, 08:02 PM

I have been seeing white smoke coming out of the exhaust, off and on in my 93 V6 t-100. I also have noticed a loss of a little coolant, as much as 20 oz recently. The idle starts off rough in the start up. Smoke can be heavy or light, then go away. Is it possible that coolant is leaking around where the coolant goes through the throttle body. Oil is clean, so is coolant. Much thanks fer your help.

BamZipPow · 08-16-2009, 11:03 PM

Could be the head gasket. Pull the plugs and see which plug tip is clean...that will be the cylinder that's leaking water.

ChipNOreo · 08-17-2009, 04:44 AM

I agree with Bamzippow... My 91 pickup with the 3.0 3vze has similar symptoms and the shop tests came up with a bad head gasket

. Apernantly it is a common problem with those engines. There was a recall done on some of them; it might be worth calling your dealer to see if yours is covered or still covered. I think the only way to be sure it is that is to do a engine block test on it. (i have never done one myself) Or just take it to a shop and get it diagnosed

good luck with it.

***fourwd1*** · 08-17-2009, 10:09 AM

Get it fixed now, it'll only get worse, and if coolant gets into the oil, the bearings won't like it.

Do check with a dealer to see if it was previously fixed under the service campaign, if not, you should still be eligible.

Vesta · 08-17-2009, 08:41 PM

no loss of coolant, no overheating.

Pulled cap where the engine oil goes in.

Looked inside, no bubbles ,but had a brown sludge on bottom of cap.

Had one estimate at this local import garage for 1800.00 to replace head gasket, thought it was high.

If it is the head gasket, may part it out, I have other leaks and truck has 200k on it. I know I can get more miles out of truck, but may cut my loses. It would be nice to have engine rebuilt, maybe go all the way. Anyone know what that cost may be. I'm thinking labor and parts 3500.00. But then there is the auto trans, how many miles could I expect to get out of that, it's really smooth.

Thanks

***Jayota*** · 08-18-2009, 12:42 AM

Find a used motor, give it a good going over and swap it in...

Vesta · 08-18-2009, 06:28 AM

Would it be a big deal to drop a newer engine in say from a Toyota that is the next generation.

As far as the T-100 engine if nyone knows of a low mileage or rebuilt T-100 engine in the north Carolina are please let me know. Would not want to buy engine where head gasket is questionable.

Thanks for the reply

BamZipPow · 08-18-2009, 04:01 PM

I don't believe the 3VZ-FE made it too far past 1995...

How often do you git to take the truck out fer an extended drive? Do you do a lot of short runs? Yer oil may not be gitting up to temp to burn off the condensation...

It's easy to pull the plugs and see which one is clean...if you have a coolant leak from the head gasket that leaks into the combustion chamber. You don't even have to do it all at one time either...

***fourwd1*** · 08-18-2009, 07:14 PM

I don't see where you've really done anything to diagnose the problem.
How about a compression test on the engine and a leak down test on the coolant system, then go from there.

Vesta · 08-18-2009, 07:21 PM

Just have not had the physical time to do it. Thanks for the suggestions.

***fourwd1*** · 08-18-2009, 10:31 PM

Cool. When you get time get these things done,then you'll have some facts, and we can provide a better course of action then guessisng.

Vesta · 08-18-2009, 10:41 PM

But thats ok, will make me get out there and find out. Who knows it might not be as bad as it seems.