head gasket

likearock78 · September 28, 2006

I got a 86 chevy truck 305 and it smokes white at start up...then it stops and doesnt smoke when ur driving the motor is basically new, no oil grease good shape and fast...will it eventaully start smoking bad or am i good for abit

95Sierra2500 · September 28, 2006

ehhh I'd keep a real close eye on it. it does sound like you're getting a water leak somewhere...Keep an eye on your oil especially, any foaminess or milky color and it's time to tear it down before you throw a bearing and give your crank the shaft (pun not intended).

I'm picky enough that I'd fix it now, but if you can't afford it or don't have time, then just watch everything REALLY close.

GM-Tech · September 28, 2006

Are you absolutely, positively sure it's white smoke? Bad valve seals can cause a pretty good sized puff of smoke at start up, but it's blue. However, you have to look carefully because it's very light blue and can look almost white.

*Usually* head or head gasket coolant leaks will make more smoke as it warms up. It's not just a single puff of smoke just on startup.

likearock78 · September 28, 2006

ya im pretty sure its white smoke...but ya ill keep a eye on everything if it gets worse ill fix it..

Nice rig · September 28, 2006

I had an '85 Silverado with the 305 and quadrajunk carb. It always let out a burp of white/slight blue smoke at every startup if it sat for more than a few hours, but never smoked while driving. Just the valve stem seals, if it were the head gasket I would think it would smoke while driving also. Monitor your oil and coolant levels.