01 chevy smoking

woodrow · June 2, 2003

tonite when i was driving around town i pulled out in front of a car so i put it to the floor and it went up to about 5500 rpms about that time i looked in my rear view mirror and saw like a haze. so i was just thinking it was just dirt on the road. so when stoped at a light i took off and it would start doing it about 3500 rpms.

so i am just thinking of what it could be. i mean it is a 2001 chevy silverado with a 5.3 liter engine it should not even be close to that. one thing that is running though my head is could it be the piston knock letting gas or oil past. so if anybody can help then please do.

Shaners · June 2, 2003

I'm guessing that if you don't normally run in those RPM ranges that you were just burning/blowing off some carbon deposits. I'd keep an eye on it though...

ctoliver · June 2, 2003

i agree with shaners probly just carbon , gm has them set up to run a little rich.

black smoke=carbon or rich mixture

blue smoke=oil burning

white smoke=coolant burning

ct

woodrow · June 2, 2003

thanks for the replys it looks like it is white smoke. so should i be worried about this or just let it go. i am going by the chevy dealer this moring and going to talk to them about it. and what would i do to keep it from getting all that carbon in there.

woodrow

Tfin · June 2, 2003

what would i do to keep it from getting all that carbon in there.

woodrow

Rod on it now and again.

As to your question on whether or not you should have it immediately checked out, I guess it would depend on how much (if any) warranty you have left. If you have a fair amount left, hammer down now and then to build up the rpms and clean any carbon out.

If however you only have a limited amount of warrenty left, I'd obviously bring it right in and have it checked out.

If you don't have any left, I guess its up to you. But certainly keep an eye on things to see if they get better or worse. Good luck.

Bish · June 2, 2003

If it's white smoke, you should be losing coolant somewhere. Any drop in the coolant level? If yes, you probably have an intake manifold gasket leak or a head gasket leak. IM leaks are pretty common on the older 5.7L but haven't heard of many on the new 5.3.

Top engine cleaner works wonders at removing the carbon. You can get it at GM or Napa carries "Sea Foam" which works the same.

Under warranty...DEFINITELY bring it in. If you do Oil Analysis, they will tell you if you have coolant in your oil which would confirm a leak.

MarkD · June 2, 2003

If you get white smoke during the first 5 minutes of operation, it is probably just condensation in your exhaust system (not very likely in June, but possible).

If it is blue, how many miles do you have on your oil. All of my vehicles seem to like fresh oil over worn.

asepgrad98 · June 2, 2003

does the truck use oil? there is a new design PCV valve that would be worth a shot. my 5.3 uses 1/2 qt in 3k miles since new.

woodrow · June 3, 2003

i have noticed a drop in my coolant level so what would i have to do and how. and how much would it cost. also today driving around i tried it again and it did not do it so it was probly just carbon. but also how much carbon would there be to blow out. and wont this mess up the catlyic converters.

bigtruck21 · June 3, 2003

my gf's mom's 01 was 1 qt low the other day with 26k. Keep an eye on the oil.

woodrow · June 3, 2003

i had the oil changed just friday so i don't think the oil is low. what is the difference between the old pcv valve and the new one. and how much does it cost. and how hard is it to install

woodrow

Shaners · June 3, 2003

i had the oil changed just friday so i don't think the oil is low. what is the difference between the old pcv valve and the new one. and how much does it cost. and how hard is it to install

woodrow