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Smoking tailpipe

Grandst2014
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Grandst2014 Enthusiast

Grandst2014

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Posted (edited)

So just bought a 2014 Sierra with 80k miles. It just started smoking from the tailpipe. 

Here’s what happened: dealer did the oil change, and a couple weeks later I started hearing a tick. I checked the oil and it was 2qt low. I put about 1,000 miles on it like that. Additionally, the coolant was a couple inches below the full when cold mark when it was cold. 
 

dealer said the tick is just the direct injection noise, nothing to be worried about. They gave it back to me to keep an eye on it. Now it’s starting to blow while smoke on start up in the morning. I have my thoughts but wanted to get an opinion on the smoke that’s coming out. Thanks! 

D4ED4227-EEB9-4302-B8B9-93A8C163268F.jpeg

Edited by Grandst2014
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MikeBMW Senior Enthusiast

MikeBMW

Posted
Posted (edited)
47 minutes ago, Grandst2014 said:

 

So just bought a 2014 Sierra with 80k miles. It just started smoking from the tailpipe. 

Here’s what happened: dealer did the oil change, and a couple weeks later I started hearing a tick. I checked the oil and it was 2qt low. I put about 1,000 miles on it like that. Additionally, the coolant was a couple inches below the full when cold mark when it was cold. 
 

dealer said the tick is just the direct injection noise, nothing to be worried about. They gave it back to me to keep an eye on it. Now it’s starting to blow while smoke on start up in the morning. I have my thoughts but wanted to get an opinion on the smoke that’s coming out. Thanks! 

 

D4ED4227-EEB9-4302-B8B9-93A8C163268F.jpeg

Seems normal, mine does that every morning when I start via Alexa, the myChevrolet app or the remote.
It's a cold start thing.
When it's warmed up, do you see the same?
White smoke is, generally, water burn-off.

Edited by MikeBMW
Grandst2014 Enthusiast

Grandst2014

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I wish the video would upload. Doubtful it’s water burn off from normal condensation. A literal cloud went by my window which prompted me to get out and have a peak. Haven’t seen it do that before. The only time any vehicle of mine did this is when it had a bad head gasket. I’m thinking it’s more likely an internal coolant leak. The reason I’m asking is to get opinions on the possibility of it having something to do with the dealer under filling the oil by 2 qts. That and the fact the coolant was very low has me concerned. 

Grandst2014 Enthusiast

Grandst2014

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My 06 Silverado started doing the same thing at 230k, and by 250k it was like a billowing cloud every time I started it cold. Not a normal cold start issue. 
 

I did a side by side comparison with another vehicle. The vehicle I had parked next to the 2014 all night, didn’t even make the slightest wisp of smoke under the same temp/cold start when I took the pic of the GMC. 

Grumpy Bear Senior Enthusiast

Grumpy Bear

Posted
Posted

Does it go away after a minute or so? Mine has done this about a half dozen times. Do it once then nothing for a year then twice in a week and again nothing. I now have 135K on her. Uses no measurable oil. Uses no water. No explanation I can think of. it does it in all four seasons. But never from more than say 30 seconds. Sometimes it's even blue. I think it is a GDI thing doing a bit of cylinder wash. 

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MikeBMW Senior Enthusiast

MikeBMW

Posted
Posted
32 minutes ago, Grandst2014 said:

My 06 Silverado started doing the same thing at 230k, and by 250k it was like a billowing cloud every time I started it cold. Not a normal cold start issue. 

If it's a white cloud on start, and goes away after warmed up, no issues.
If you are experiencing a constant white billowing on startup, even after warmed up, look for a coolant issue into the engine - that would not be good.
Else, you are worrying a bit more than you should.

MikeBMW Senior Enthusiast

MikeBMW

Posted
Posted (edited)

Example this evening:
 

P.S. I, also, learned this evening that I need to hold my iPhone 12 Pro Max camera in the upper left hand orientation when taking a landscape vid else it's upside down when uploaded - hence the need for two starts.

Edited by MikeBMW
  • Haha 1
JimCost2014 Senior Enthusiast

JimCost2014

Posted
Posted
5 minutes ago, MikeBMW said:

Example this evening:
 

 

Man, I was waiting for that Panther from your last video to pounce on you🤔😬

 

Since I am sort of pro at taking these post off the road into the ditch, what is the cool looking dial above your light switch?

  • Haha 1
MikeBMW Senior Enthusiast

MikeBMW

Posted
Posted (edited)
4 minutes ago, JimCost2014 said:

Man, I was waiting for that Panther from your last video to pounce on you🤔😬

 

Since I am sort of pro at taking these post off the road into the ditch, what is the cool looking dial above your light switch?

That is a Curtis Spectrum trailer brake controller I had installed by the dealer since mine didn't come with the factory trailer brake controller.

Edited by MikeBMW
JimCost2014 Senior Enthusiast

JimCost2014

Posted
Posted
1 minute ago, MikeBMW said:

That is a Curtis Spectrum trailer brake I had installed by the dealer since mine didn't come with the factory trailer brake control.

Good looking clean install. How does it work?

 

 

  • Like 1
MikeBMW Senior Enthusiast

MikeBMW

Posted
Posted
2 minutes ago, JimCost2014 said:

Good looking clean install. How does it work?

 

 

There is a push button to allow different modes and the dial sets the trailer brake sensitivity.
The service guy chose the spot - similar to the trailer brake location of this series - the new model have it on the other side.
I bought it from Chevy accesories and, really, I gotta quit searching that site! :D
I typed "Curtis" but I meant "Curt." oops!
https://www.curtmfg.com/part/51170

 

JimCost2014 Senior Enthusiast

JimCost2014

Posted
Posted
3 minutes ago, MikeBMW said:

There is a push button to allow different modes and the dial sets the trailer brake sensitivity.
The service guy chose the spot - similar to the trailer brake location of this series - the new model have it on the other side.
I bought it from Chevy accesories and, really, I gotta quit searching that site! :D
I typed "Curtis" but I meant "Curt." oops!
https://www.curtmfg.com/part/51170

 

Yea, any one named Curtis is going to be bad news😮🤔😬🤟

  • Haha 1
Grandst2014 Enthusiast

Grandst2014

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Thanks for the replies. Seeing as I mentioned the coolant was a couple inches below the full mark and needed to be filled, and I just bought it, I’m going to pursue the cause. If it was a truck I had for a couple years (and wasn’t under warranty) might think differently. 
 

@Grumpy Bear blue smoke is not normal. That said, no oil use, I might not worry, unless I just bought the thing. lol. 

diyer2 Senior Enthusiast

diyer2

Posted
Posted

I hope you learned to check your oil more.

Grandst2014 Enthusiast

Grandst2014

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@diyer2 Does anybody actually pay attention to read on this thing? I had the oil changed at the dealer and it was 2 quarts low from them. thanks anyway. Keep your snark to yourself, not too helpful. 

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