Smokes When Cold

cjonestexas · April 23, 2005

I'm new to this site, but I hope someone can help me with this question. I have a 1998 GMC SIERRA 4x4 extended cab 5-speed w/ a vortec 5.0L. The truck has 57,000 miles and has no leaks. I noticed that lately the truck will smoke very lightly (white smoke) when the motor is cold, but when it warms up it is fine. It also drips water from the tailpipe, but the water is clean. This truck has never had any motor work done to it and the motor is tight. It does not use alot of oil, maybe a 1/2 quart between changes. The radiator is not low and I don't see any signs of water in the oil. Should I be worried about this?

Any input would help

mcreyaufmiller · April 23, 2005

I have the same year and motor, I would suggest checking the IM gasket, this is a popular thing to go wrong on our motors. It would allow fluid to leak into your motor that would vaporize during the initial run causing the white smoke, as the motor heated up and expanded, it could close the leak. Just my opnion.

cjonestexas · April 23, 2005

Thanks for the info. I am going to check the IM bolts to see if any are loose. If that doesn't fix the problem I will replace the gasket. Once again thanks for the quick reply. By the way how many miles have you gotten out of your 305 and have you had any major problems. I don't know anyone around here who has a 305 in a 1995-1998. All of them have 350's.

redvett · April 24, 2005

I'm new to this site, but I hope someone can help me with this question. I have a 1998 GMC SIERRA 4x4 extended cab 5-speed w/ a vortec 5.0L. The truck has 57,000 miles and has no leaks. I noticed that lately the truck will smoke very lightly (white smoke) when the motor is cold, but when it warms up it is fine. It also drips water from the tailpipe, but the water is clean. This truck has never had any motor work done to it and the motor is tight. It does not use alot of oil, maybe a 1/2 quart between changes. The radiator is not low and I don't see any signs of water in the oil. Should I be worried about this?
Any input would help

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Check if you have condensation on the inside of the oil cap. If you do you have a coolent leaking into the crankcase. The steam and water coming out of you tail pipe is normal when starting up. Moisture in the exhaust pipes & muffler (normal) will disipate as the engine & exhaust system heat up.

snoman · April 26, 2005

I'm new to this site, but I hope someone can help me with this question. I have a 1998 GMC SIERRA 4x4 extended cab 5-speed w/ a vortec 5.0L. The truck has 57,000 miles and has no leaks. I noticed that lately the truck will smoke very lightly (white smoke) when the motor is cold, but when it warms up it is fine. It also drips water from the tailpipe, but the water is clean. This truck has never had any motor work done to it and the motor is tight. It does not use alot of oil, maybe a 1/2 quart between changes. The radiator is not low and I don't see any signs of water in the oil. Should I be worried about this?
Any input would help

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What does the smoke smell like because it might just be water vapor when the conditions are right.

sjspor · May 4, 2005

Are we talking a puff that moves as a single cloud, or normal water wapor on a chilly morning? This sounds more like one puff when cold, which would be a valve guide seal.

AirForceAngler · May 4, 2005

Most likely, your valve seals are just leaking a bit. I've had a few do this in the past. They are not too hard to change, but usually it's not worth it as it uses less than a quart per oil change.

snoman · May 4, 2005

Most likely, your valve seals are just leaking a bit. I've had a few do this in the past. They are not too hard to change, but usually it's not worth it as it uses less than a quart per oil change.

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It would have to be a lot more than a quart per change before I would bother.

cjonestexas · May 6, 2005

Thanks for all the info guys. I don't think that I am going to screw with it right now. If the problem gets worse then I will break into it. To be quite honest I'm not that crazy about this 5.0L (or 305ci for the old school guys). I'm going to try and get another year or two out of it and then put a 350 crate motor in. Once again thanks for all the info.