Help me diagnose my problem, Please!

[mjl132]

I am afraid I am having a HG issue, but I want to run the symptoms by everyone and ask their opinions. I actually wanted to trade my LC toward a 100, but I guess that is off now. Oh well, anyway, the symptoms are as follows...

I replaced my radiator about a month ago on my 1996 LC (176,000mi) and now have started noticing white smoke on start up out of the tail pipe. Doesn't smell like coolant, for what that's worth. It hasn't really smoked before other than normal condensation being blown out of the tail pipe before this.

I changed the oil tonite and the oil wasn't especially watery, it had some foam on the top and seemed a little bit different, but not the horror stories I have heard with milky ****. When I took it to advanced to dump it the gentleman, who I have known for some time and trust, said it looked ok to him and not bad really. He did comment the smoke was concerning.

So I then cranked it up with the radiator cap off and the coolant level starts to run over and out of the radiator. Not spewing really, just the level rises and runs out and if I remove the cap when it is warm it will definitely spew coolant, not just a hiss.

No overheating issues or anything like that. I am using Advance Green coolant.

So, could this being the heater hoses, the PHH, maybe something simple like that, or I am looking at a HG replacement. If it is the HG, is there anywhere in Birmingham, AL anybody can reccomend? Thanks.

 

[ppc]

I don't think you have a problem. When hot or warm the cooling system is under pressure. Open the cap and it is going to spew. You really need to leave the cap alone unless it is cold. View the overflow tank when warm or hot. In winter time you are going to see more water vapor coming from the tailpipe when starting and until the engine and exhaust gets up to tempature.

 

[mjl132]

I am paid to worry in my job, so this could be bleeding into my personal life... .

It just seems out of character for my truck, it didn't do it before hand it seemed and the oil looked a bit different, but again, I could be making a mountain out of a mole hill. Tis why I am seeking advice.

 

[SUMMIT CRUISERS]

I don't think you have a problem. When hot or warm the cooling system is under pressure. Open the cap and it is going to spew. You really need to leave the cap alone unless it is cold. View the overflow tank when warm or hot. In winter time you are going to see more water vapor coming from the tailpipe when starting and until the engine and exhaust gets up to tempature.

X2, Could also be a little oil making its way around the valve seats and upon cold startup it smokes white a bit. Might try thickening the oil up with Lucas Oil stabilizer on your next oil change to see if it goes away or diminishes.

 

[Offroads4x4]

Run a cold cap off inspection in the morning. If the radiator bubbles have the radiator sniffed for CO's. If not just watch your coolant level for a week or two to see if it goes down any.
Just a thought.

 

[greentruck]

I agree on watchful waiting right now. If it is the HG, it will get worse.

BTW, do you just have the stock temp gauge? If so, be careful, as it's pretty dead. If you're overheating, you won't get much notice with it.

Search for the RavenTai temp gauge mod for more info.

If you have access to a Scangauge or other OBDII read-out, you could plug it in to monitor things more precisely.

 

[thestunts]

Take a turkey baster(do not reuse for anything then the 80 or throw away) , and on a cold engine, pull some of the coolant out and put it in your resorvoir ... this will avoid the coolant rising and spilling out. Cleanliness here =)

Then with the radiator cap still off, turn the engine on and let it idle to warm and look for bubbles coming through where the radiator cap is. Nothing ? your probably fine.

Also check under the oil crap for gunk and moisture.

You can rent or buy this thing at most auto places that is a tube that stands over where the radiator cap is, pour some special fluid in there, and do the same thing. If it changes colors, then not good. Which is what Offroads4x4 is referring to.

If your really concerned, you can do a compression check yourself ... fairly simple process.

Cheers and good luck that it isnt a HG.

 

[mjl132]

I am using the stock temp gauge and used three quarts of Lucas in the last oil change. I'll try the things listed and watch. Does anyone know of a good LC mechanic in Alabama?